Weather Maps

Reneth Cabalhug
Justy Cadungog
PZ Merano
Deav Pino
 Weather Maps Overview
What is Weather Map?
- A weather map, also known as synoptic weather
chart, displays various meteorological features across a
particular area at a particular point in time and has
various symbols which all have specific meanings.
Weather Map Use and
Interpretation
The earliest weather charts were made by collecting
synchronous weather reports by mail. However, it was
not until 1816 that German physicist Heinrich Wilhelm
Brandes created the first weather maps, which were
hand drawn and reconstructed from data collected in
1783. These map is used for research weather
forecasting purposes.
 Weather Fronts
Cold Front
- Cold fronts normally occur when a huge mass of cold
and chilly air meets a mass of warm air, and the chilly
air starts advancing on the warm air. As soon as the
cold front passes, the weather temperature starts
becoming cooler and can drop by 4 degree Celsius or
even more. It can also bring rain, thunderstorms or
gusty winds.
Warm Front
- These often bring a gradual increase in rainfall as the
front approaches, followed by prompt clearing and
warming after the front passes. If the warm air mass is
unstable, the weather might be characterized by
prolonged thunderstorms.
Occluded Front
- These are formed when a cold front overtakes a warm
front. They are associated with various weather events
(possibly thunderstorms) depending on whether it is a
warm or cold occlusion. The passing of an occluded
front usually brings drier air (lowered dew point).
Stationary Front
- These indicate a non-moving boundary between two
different air masses. These fronts have long continuous
rainy periods that linger for extended periods in one
area and move in waves. A semi-circle bordering one
side and triangles along the opposite side represents
that the front is not moving in any direction.
 High and Low Pressure Centers
- The large letters (Blue H's and red L's) on weather
maps indicate high- and low-pressure centers. They
mark where the air pressure is highest and lowest
relative to the surrounding air and are often labeled
with a three- or four-digit pressure reading in millibars.
 Isobars
- On some weather maps, you may notice lines
surrounding and encircling the "highs" and "lows."
These lines are called isobars because they connect
areas where the air pressure is the same.
 Wind Strength
- Wind barbs point in the direction of the wind. Lines or
triangles coming off the main line at an angle indicate
wind strength: 50 knots for every triangle, 10 knots for
every full line, 5 knots for every half line.
 Pressure Gradient
- The distance between isobars is referred to as the
pressure gradient. A large change in pressure over a
short distance (i.e. close isobars) indicates strong
winds.
- There are many other lines on weather maps. Two of the
most important kinds of lines indicate isotherms and
isotachs.
- Isotherms – These are lines on a weather map that
connect points through which the isotherm passes have
the same temperature.
- Isotachs – These are lines on a weather map that connect
points where the isotach passes have the same wind
speed.
 Trough & Ridge
- Troughs are regions of relatively low pressure
which often precede a cold front while ridges are lines
of relatively high pressure forming an arm out of a
defined high, but not forming a closed loop.