Reading a
Weather Map
5th Grade Science Lab
To find the weather map go to:
http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/currentweatherusnational/index_large.html
Cold Front
Symbol
Information
 Cold, dry air replaces warm
air.
 Following a cold front,
temperatures drop
dramatically.
 Precipitation can occur along
the front line. Including
thunderstorms.
Warm Front
Symbol
Information
 Warm moist air replaces cool
dry air.
 Following a warm front,
temperatures increase.
 Light precipitation can occur
along the front line.
Stationary Front
Symbol
Information
 A stationary front occurs
when a warm or cold front
stops moving.
 Noticeable temperature and
wind shifts occur when
traveling across the front
line.
 Once the stationary front
starts moving again, it
becomes warm or cold.
High Pressure
Symbol
Information
 Winds flow clockwise around
a high pressure system.
 High pressure is usually
associated with little cloud
coverage.
Low Pressure
Symbol
Information
 Winds flow counterclockwise around a low
pressure system.
 Low pressure is usually
associated with cloud
coverage and areas of
different weather depending
on placement of the fronts
near the low pressure. (See
information on the left.)
The Weather Map
 Use a copy of the weather page from the local newspaper.
 Complete the “Reading a Weather Map” worksheet.
 Draw the symbols on the US Outline Map for only…
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Low Pressure
High Pressure
Cold Front
Warm Front
 Use colored pencils!
Sources
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/maps/home.rxml
http://www.nauticus.org/images/usoutlinemap.jpg
http://www.wunderground.com/maps/
The Charlotte Observer Weather Page
Occluded Front
Symbol
Information
 Occurs when a cold front
catches up to a warm front.
A cold front travels faster
than a warm front.
 Changes in temperature,
humidity, and winds occur
with passage of an occluded
front. (See diagram to the
left.)