Salt Lake Community College
Weather Map Analysis
48-Hour Observation
Kendra Pierce
Intro to Meteorology 1010-401
George Ramjoue
October 31, 2014
ANALYSIS
The mid latitude cyclone is located in Montana centering in on Kalispell Montana. The airport code for this particular location is KFCA. A stationary front is located through Nevada and the Salt Lake City Utah area. Colorado is experiencing a cold front moving in the southeast direction bringing a stationary front from Montana up into Canada. In addition, there is a moving outward of the United States but still located in the bottom half of Florida hitting again in the outskirts of North Carolina and moving up through Lake Ontario Canada. An occluded front is present through Milwaukee Wisconsin and Lake Michigan, Michigan letting us know that the low-pressure system is beginning to fade away.
The grey lines located across the map are known as isoclines. Isoclines join points of equal value. Isobars are joined to give lines of equal air pressure. Depressions also known as low pressure and can be identified by the letter L and are associated with rain, clouds, and high winds. Low-pressure systems are enclosed by isobars that decrease in pressure towards the center. High-pressure systems have enclosed isobars that increase in pressure towards the center. Since the Isobars in both areas are far apart we know that the wind is weak in these areas. If the isobars were close together, that would indicate strong winds.
Light to moderate rain is expected near Kalispell Montana and is indicated by both the two dots next to each other and the three dots forming a triangle. Also the shaded area identifies that rain is expected. Rain is also expected to the south of the Cold Front shown from the top of Michigan down to North Carolina and heading towards Florida.
SYNOPTIC WEATHER MAP
(SEE PHOTO ABOVE)
A synoptic weather map can be read by finding the station icon, which is indicated by the location of the dot. The barb shows the wind toward the station so in this example the wind is moving in from the east (easterly wind) towards this particularly weather station. The flags attached to the barb can identify the wind speed. The current temperature at this particular station is 86 degrees Fahrenheit and will always be indicated by the number in the top left corner. The dew point is located in the bottom left corner and in this case is 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The air pressure is noted in the top right corner and is listed as the last 3 numbers of the air pressure. Air pressure is measured in Mila bars so at this location the air pressure is 996.4 MB. The bottom right corner shows the amount of precipitation that has fallen and is measured in inches. In this example is 0.52”.
IDENTIFYING SYMBOLS LOCATED WEATHER MAPS
There are several symbols located on this weather map. Each on represents important information in deciphering the weather conditions in each area.
- Rain is indicated by two dots that are side-by-side or right next to each other.
- If there are three dots present in the shape of a triangle moderate rain can be expected.
- One dot found with an apostrophe symbolizes rain and drizzle.
- The presence of a quotation mark indicates drizzle.
- One dot beneath a tilde will indicate freezing rain.
- A dot with an asterisk indicates both snow and rain.
- Snow flurries can found by identifying one asterisk
- In the even of two asterisks, there will be light snow.
- Moderate Snow will be indicated by, three asterisks arranged in the form of a triangle.
- Heavy Snow will be indicated by, four asterisks with one on the top and bottom and two in the middle.
- Thunderstorms will be identified with the symbol R with an arrow on the bottom right foot.
- The letter R with an arrow beneath a triangle that is filled in represents thunderstorms with hail.
- The presence of two lines with one above the other represents Fog.
- Three lines stacked together identify dense fog.
- Rain and fog can be identified by two dots beneath two lines.
REFLECTION
As I continue to learn more and more about the weather that surrounds us each every day I am continually amazed at how fascinating and intricate each aspect is. In my opinion, having a good understanding on how these phenomenon’s occur as well as how to identify them is important in day to day living since every part of the world is effected by them in some way or another. Prior to this class I would turn the weather news on and only listen to what the Meteorologist was saying I was always confused as to why the showed the weather map because I assumed most people wouldn’t know how to read them and do as I had done and wait for them to explain each section of it. Now that I have a better understanding of the weather maps, I am able to identify what is going on around the United States simply by looking at the Weather Map.
