Forecasting the Weather
Imagine that you run a company that helps people plan for big
occasions, such as weddings, parties, and celebrity events. One of your
duties is to make sure the weather doesn’t put a damper on your clients’
plans. To provide the best service possible, you have taken a crash
course in reading weather maps. Will the celebrity golf match
have to be delayed on account of rain? Will the wedding ceremony have
to be moved inside so that the blushing bride doesn’t get soaked? It is
your job to say “yea” or “nay.”
Procedure
1. Study the table below and the station model shown on the next page.
You will use the legend to interpret the weather map.
2. Weather data is represented on a weather map by a station model. A
station model is a small circle that shows the location of the weather
station along with a set of symbols and numbers around the circle that
represents the data collected at the weather station.
Interpreting Station Models
The station model to the right is for Boston,
Massachusetts. The current temperature in Boston
is 42ºF, and the dew point is 39°F. The barometric
pressure is 1011.0 mbar. The sky is overcast, and
there is moderate rainfall. The wind is coming from
the southwest at 15 to 20 mi/h.
Analysis
3. Look at the map on the previous page. Based on the weather for the
entire United States, what time of year is it? Explain.
3. Look at the map on the previous page. Based on the weather for the
entire United States, what time of year is it? Explain.
4. Interpret the station model for Salem, Oregon, from map.
Temperature:___________________Dew Point: ________________
4. Interpret the station model for Salem, Oregon, from map.
Temperature:___________________Dew Point: ________________
Cloud Coverage: _______________Wind direction: ______________
Cloud Coverage: _______________Wind direction: ______________
Wind Speed: ___________________Atmospheric pressure: _______
Wind Speed: ___________________Atmospheric pressure: _______
Precipitation: ________If so, what kind? _______________________
Precipitation: ________If so, what kind? _______________________
5. What is happening to wind direction, temperature, and pressure
as the cold front approaches?
5. What is happening to wind direction, temperature, and pressure
as the cold front approaches?
6. As the cold front passes?
6. As the cold front passes?
7. Interpret the station model for Amarillo, Texas.
7. Interpret the station model for Amarillo, Texas.
Temperature:___________________Dew Point: ________________
Temperature:___________________Dew Point: ________________
Cloud Coverage: _______________Wind direction: ______________
Cloud Coverage: _______________Wind direction: ______________
Wind Speed: ___________________Atmospheric pressure: _______
Wind Speed: ___________________Atmospheric pressure: _______
Precipitation: ________If so, what kind? _______________________
Precipitation: ________If so, what kind? _______________________
8. What does Dew Point mean?
8. What does Dew Point mean?
9. Based on the information, predict what the weather in Kansas
City will be like once the front passes. Create a station model to
represent your prediction.
9. Based on the information, predict what the weather in Kansas
City will be like once the front passes. Create a station model to
represent your prediction.
Analysis