CURRICULUM TOOL: METEOROLOGY
WEATHER MAPS
NYS Earth Science Core Curriculum
Performance Indicator 2.1 Use the concepts of density and heat energy to explain observations
of weather patterns, seasonal changes, and the movements of Earth’s plates.
2.1g Weather variables can be respresented in a variety of formats including radar and satellite
images, weather maps (including station models, isobars, and fronts), atmospheric crosssections, and computer models.
2.1h Atmospheric moisture, temperature, and pressure distributions; jet streams, wind; air
masses and frontal boundaries; and the movement of cyclonic systems and associated
tornadoes, thunderstorms, and hurricanes occur in observable patterns. Loss of property,
personal injury, and loss of life can be reduced by effective emergency preparedness.
Performance Indicator 2.2 Explain how incoming solar radiation, ocean currents, and land
masses affect weather and climate.
2.2d Temperature and precipitation patterns are altered by:
 natural events such as El Niño and volcanic eruptions
 human influences including deforestation, urbanization, and the production of
greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.
Some Past Part A Questions
1. The winds shift from southwest to northwest as heavy rains and hail begin to fall in Albany,
New York. These changes are most likely caused by the arrival of
(1) a mT air mass
(3) a cold front
(2) a cT air mass
(4) a warm front
2. Which station model to the right shows a wind
direction from the southeast?
Curriculum-Based Questions
 What is a weather station model?
 How are air masses and frontal boundaries
related?
 How are temperatures and air pressures
represented on weather maps? There are two
ways.
 How do prevailing winds affect the weather?
 How does severe weather affect populations?
 Complete one activity from the green
Meteorology Binder.
Earth Science Reference Table
pg. 12, 13, 14
Some Past Part B-1, B-2, C Questions
January 2013 Questions 42-44, 72-73
August 2012 Question 46, 48, 75, 78
June 2012 Questions 68, 69, 73, 74
*Released Regents Tests:
http://www.nysedregents.org/earthscience/
High School of Language and Innovation 2012 (draft)
CURRICULUM TOOL: METEOROLOGY
WEATHER MAPS
3. Weather station models for three New York State cities
on the same day at the same time are shown below.
Which maps shows the front that was most likely
passing through Rochester at that time?
Readings
Holt (yellow book) pg. 561-564
(wind), 601-606 (air masses and
fronts), 608-610 (extreme weather)
Glencoe (big blue book) pg. 305-307
(wind and jet streams), 301-304 (air
masses), 308-310 (fronts), 328-337
(thunderstorms), 338-340
(tornadoes), 341-346 (hurricanes),
349-351 (cold storms)
McGuire (little blue book) pg. 496515 (wind), 522-533 (air masses and
fronts), 552-563 (extreme weather)
Unison Reading Binder:
Meteorology
Resources for Learning
Websites
How to read a weather map
http://www.wikihow.com/Read-a-Weather-Map
Weather Variables Resources
http://hmxearthscience.com/weather_variables.
html
Weather Fronts
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmo
sphere/front.html&edu=high
Regents Review Materials
http://reviewearthscience.com/
http://regentsearth.com/
Foreign Language:
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmo
sphere/front.html&edu=high&lang=sp
High School of Language and Innovation 2012 (draft)
Videos
Activities
Air Pressure and Wind
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmospher
e/pressure_wind_lsop_video.html
Humidity and Dew Point
www.slideserve.com/derry/humidity-and-dew-point
Meteorology
Binder
At home:
How to read a weather station model
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-AkFjLna8g
Reference Table page 13 – Weather Station Models
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nFGZl1h2OM
Reference Table pg. 12 – Relative Humidity/Dewpoint
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mipaX-2oxwA
Weather
Station Model
Activity
Weather Map
Activity
Identifying Air
Masses