Name ___________________________________
Date _______________
Lab Period _____
Lab Day ______
Weather Maps
Map A
Air Pressure
Questions:
1.
Where is the center of the high-pressure located?
2.
Where is the center of the low-pressure located?
Map B
Wind Patterns
Questions:
1.
Describe the wind movement around the high-pressure. HINT: Use Maps A & B
2.
Describe the wind movement around the low-pressure. HINT: Use Maps A & B
3.
All of the air seems to be converging on Cincinnati. What happens to it once it gets
there?
Map C
Cloud Cover
Questions:
1.
Describe the cloud cover around the high-pressure. HINT: Use Maps A & C.
2.
Describe the cloud cover around the low pressure. HINT: Use Maps A & C.
Map D
Temperature
Questions:
1.
Near the high pressure, what happens to the isotherms? . HINT: Use Maps A & D.
2.
Describe the general temperatures around a high–pressure system
3
Near the low pressure, what happens to the isotherms? . HINT: Use Maps A & D.
4.
Describe the general temperatures around a low–pressure system
Map E
Fronts
Questions:
1.
What type of pressure system is most likely to cause inclement (rainy) weather?
2.
Where, in relation to the fronts, is rain most likely to occur?
3.
Where is weather most likely to change?
Map F
24 Hours Later
1.
A
B
C
D
2.
A
B
C
D
3.
A
B
C
D
4.
A
B
C
D
5.
A
B
C
D
Lab #31 Weather Maps
Introduction:
A synoptic weather map is a map on which several weather variables are
plotted for a given time over a large area. Such maps are used to predict
future weather. On this lab, some of the more common weather maps will
be created.
Procedure:
The information on the weather map is in the form of a station model. A
more complicated station model is explained in your reference table (page
13). This lab contains only temperature, pressure, cloud conditions and
wind direction. Answer the questions that are on each page of the lab.
Map A Air Pressure Draw lines between stations reporting equal
pressure to show the isolines of air pressure (isobars). Use a 4-millibar
interval between lines, starting with 1000.0 millibars (000). The value of
the pressure is found at the 1:00 position. The pressure is encoded. To
decode add a ten out front and add a decimal point one place over from
the right. The following are the values used.
1000.0
1004.0
1008.0
1012.0
1016.0
1020.0
1024.0
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
000
040
080
120
160
200
240
After the isobars are complete, place an “H” at the center of the high
pressure area and an “L” at the center of the low pressure area.
Map B Wind Patterns Draw a short arrow through each circle
indicating the direction of wind movement at that city. Draw larger
arrows to indicate general air movements for the map. Place the “H” and
the “L” from Map A onto this map.
Map C Cloud Cover Draw boundary lines enclosing the various
cloud cover areas. Color in the different areas.
Map D Temperature Patterns
Draw isotherms for a 10 degree
interval. Temperature values can be found at the 11:00 position of the
station model. Temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit. The isotherms
will not form complete loops so they can be ended at the edge of the
paper. Color between isotherms to check your results.
Map E Fronts Place the “H” and the “L” on this map. Draw lines
radiating out from the center of the pressure systems, dividing areas with
drastically different temperatures (10o or more).
Map F 24 Hours Later If storm systems track towards the Northeastern
states at a rate of about 600 miles per day, draw the fronts and pressure
systems where they might be 24 hours later.
Questions:
1.
How does air circulate in a cyclone (low pressure system) in the Northern
Hemisphere?
A.
counterclockwise and toward the center
B.
counterclockwise and away from the center
C.
clockwise and toward the center
D.
clockwise and away from the center
2.
How does air circulate in an anti-cyclone (high pressure system) in the Northern
Hemisphere?
A. counterclockwise and toward the center
B. counterclockwise and away from the center
C. clockwise and toward the center
D. clockwise and away from the center
3.
An air mass located over the central U.S. will most likely move towards the
A.
northwest
B.
northeast
C.
southwest
D.
southeast
4.
Conditions near the center of a low pressure system are more likely to be
A.
colder and drier than a high pressure
B.
warmer and drier than a high pressure
C.
colder and wetter than a high pressure
D.
warmer and wetter than a high pressure
5.
On a station model, the air pressure is listed as 130. The pressure would actually be
A.
130.0 mb
B.
9130.0 mb
C.
1013.0 mb
D.
101.3 mb