Weather Data and Weather Maps
UNIT
10
STANDARDS: NCES 2.5.1,
2.5.2, 2.5.3, 2.5.4, 2.5.5,
2.6.1, 2.6.2, 2.6.4
LESSON 2
Lesson Objectives
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In this lesson, you will learn about:
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Recognize the importance of accurate
weather data.
Describe the technology needed to collect
data
Analyze a basic surface weather chart
Distinguish between digital and analog
forecast
Describe problems with long-term forecasts
Where is weather data
collected?
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Surface
Data
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Data includes:
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Upper-Level
Data
Temperature-thermometer
Air Pressure-barometer
Wind Speed-anemometer
Humidity-hygrometer
Cloud height-ceilometer
Use of weather balloons to reach
heights above 30,000 feet. They
have the same instruments as
surface data.
Weather Radar
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Traditional
Radar
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Doppler
Radar
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One radar station covering about
85 mile radius.
Measures only the reflected
sounds.
Use of the Doppler Effect (train
sound analogy) to measure the
raindrops both coming and
going.
Doppler radar now allows to see
wind speed based on the data.
Weather Satellites
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Origins
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Infrared
Imagery
Developed out of military
satellites as security
Now able to monitor the
Earth’s weather, climate,
and changes
Images based on the
different temperatures of
the weather system. This is
why the weather map has
different colors.
Section Review 10.2.1
What is an advantage of Doppler
radar over conventional radar?
 Why is infrared imagery so
important to weather?
 Why are weather forecast more
accurate in the US compared to
developing countries?
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Weather Analysis
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Station
Model
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A record of the weather
data for a particular site at
a particular time.
Use of isobar lines help
meteorologists map out the
different air pressures for
the area.
Air Pressure Map
Digital versus Analog Forecast
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Analog
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Digital
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Looks at past weather events and
draws analogies to current weather
conditions.
Looks for similar patterns.
Looks at current conditions and
allows a computer or other device
to make predictions based on the
data available.
More Accurate
Weather Accuracy
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Short-term
forecasts
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Forecasts for the day or three
days. Based on what is seen.
Long-term
forecasts
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May include forecasts from a
week to a year. Based on
previous data and weather
models of current weather.
Accuracy
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Accuracy DECREASES with the
longer the forecast is for.
Section Review 10.2.2
Compare and contrast analog and
digital forecasting.
 Why are long-term forecasts not
as accurate as short-term
forecasts?
 What is “The Almanac” and how
does it make weather predictions?
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Weather Map Lab
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Use the following map to answer the
following questions:
What is the contour interval?
What are the highest and lowest isobar
readings?
What type of weather is NC, FL and OH
experiencing?
If the low pressure located in Michigan
is moving east at 15 mph, what type of
weather might NY experience the next
day?
Interpreting a Weather Map Lab
Use the map below to answer the questions
for the lab.