USFP Weather and Climate Australian Studies A

USFP Australian Studies A

Winter Semester 2020
Study Guide 3. Weather

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Table of Contents
Weather ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Weather..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Atmospheric Pressure – High Pressure and Low Pressure .................................................................. 5
High and Low Pressure system activity ............................................................................................. 7
Cold Fronts ............................................................................................................................................ 8
Interpreting features on a weather map .................................................................................................. 11
Reading Weather Maps ....................................................................................................................... 12
Skill Exercise 1 ................................................................................................................................ 13
Skill Exercise 2 ................................................................................................................................ 15
Skill Exercise 3 ................................................................................................................................ 16
Skills Exercise 4 ............................................................................................................................... 18

Last updated 07/07/2020

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Weather

How does the weather we experience happen? How can we predict what will happen?
Weather maps appear daily on television and in newspapers. Being able to read a
weather map is a very useful skill. It helps to predict the weather we are likely to
experience over the next two to three days. Farmers use weather maps to help them
work out the activities they need to do on the farm. For example, shearing will be put off
if it is likely to rain because farmers will not want the wool to be wet. Crops are usually
planted after good rainfall.

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Weather
Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place. It could include
looking at temperature, precipitation, wind speed & direction, atmospheric pressure,
humidity and the amount of cloud cover. Some of these features can be shown on a
weather map (also called a synoptic chart).

Atmospheric Pressure – High Pressure and Low Pressure

To understand weather, you need to understand atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric
pressure is the weight of the air pressing down on the earth’s surface. When air is heated
by the energy of the sun, it rises. This forms areas of low pressure. When air cools, it
sinks towards the earth’s surface. This forms areas of high pressure. The location of
high and low pressure systems helps us predict the weather for a particular place. High
pressure systems are usually associated with settled or fine weather. Low pressure
systems are generally associated with unsettled weather. The main lines that we see on
weather maps are called isobars. Isobars are lines joining places of equal pressure.

Pressure systems can be used to read and predict wind direction, because air will always
move to equalise the pressure between systems. This moving air, known as wind, always
moves from areas of high pressure (highs) to areas of low pressure (lows) see below. In
the southern hemisphere, the air moves out from the center of a high in an anticlockwise
direction. It moves into the center of a low in a clockwise direction. Low pressure systems
are often called cyclones. The closer the isobars the stronger the wind. Pressure
systems generally move from west to east as they move across Australia and around the
world. As they move they change in shape and often change their latitudinal position.

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When we look at the direction of winds on a weather map we can work out if temperatures
are warmer, cooler or about normal for the time of year. In Australia, a northerly wind
(coming from the north) means warmer than normal temperatures and a southerly wind,
cooler than normal temperatures. Easterlies and westerlies mean temperatures are
around normal

From the above text answer the following questions.

The tool used to represent weather conditions for a particular day is called a
……………………………………………….. or …………………………………………………
To understand a weather map, it is necessary to understand a number of weather terms and
concepts. There are 2 types of pressure systems.
Features of a high pressure system (H) are:
………………………......................................................……………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………..…………………………………………………….

Features of a low pressure system (L) are:

…….…………………….…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………

Air pressure is shown on a synoptic chart by lines joining places of equal pressure – these are
called ………………………………….. Air pressure is measured in ………………………………
or ………………………………..

Movement of air from ……………………………… to …………………………………create

winds.
Wind speed is (faster/slower) when isobars are close together and (faster/ slower) when
isobars are far apart. Wind direction and speed at specific locations is shown on a weather
map by using ……………………………………………..

Draw the wind direction surrounding the pressure systems below.

H L
K

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High and Low Pressure system activity

a) Complete the drawing of the isobars below. The 1010 and 995 hectopascal
isobars have been drawn for you.
b) Mark in a High Pressure System with an ‘H’
c) Mark in a Low Pressure System with an ‘L’
d) If you think you can spot another ‘Low’, or part of it, mark it on the map.

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Cold Fronts
Sometimes people confuse pressure systems with air masses. Air masses are large
bodies of air with similar temperature and moisture. The line along which two air masses
meet is known as a front. When cold air is moving towards warm air, it creates a “cold
front” (see the diagram below). The passing of a cold front can result in rainfall and a
sudden drop in temperature. It takes approximately 3 to 5 days for a cold front to move
across Australia from the west coast to the east coast

Common Characteristics associated with Cold Fronts.

Cold fronts are likely to cause temperatures to fall and rain may occur as they pass over
an area.

Weather Prior to the While the After the

phenomenon Passing of Front is passing of
the Front Passing the Front
Temperature Warm Cooling Steadily
suddenly cooling
Atmospheric Decreasing Lowest, then Increasing
pressure steadily sudden steadily
increase
Winds Northwest to Gusty, shifting South to west
northeast (usually
southwest)
Precipitation Brief showers Thunderstorms, Showers,
sometimes followed by
severe clearing.

Draw the three stages below.

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Precipitation is any moisture reaching the surface of the earth. Forms of precipitation
include rain, sleet, snow, hail, dew and frost.

See Study Smart for videos showing a more detailed explanation of what a Cold Front
is and what a Cold Front looks like when passing through.

From the text on the previous page answer the following questions.

Cold fronts are common in Australia, particularly in the south and during winter when they
bring ……………………………………………………………….………………………………...…
……………………………………………………...……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………...……………………………………………………

A cold front occurs when ……………………..……………………………………………………...

……………………………………………………...……………………………………………………

How long does it take a cold front to cross the Australian continent?
…………………………………………………………………………..……………………….………

How is a cold front shown on a synoptic chart?

An air mass is……………………………………………………………………………………………

Rainfall (or ………………………………) that has occurred in the past 24 hours may be shown
on a synoptic chart as

Precipitation is
…………………………………………………………………………..……………………….………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………….………………...……

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Source: Geography for Australian Citizens, Parker, Lanceley, Owens, Fitzpatrick,

Macmillan, 2008

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Interpreting features on a weather map

Feature Symbol Definition and associated weather
Isobar Isobars are lines of equal atmospheric pressure. Air
pressure is generally measured in hectopascals (it can
also be measured in millibars). Air pressure is also known
as atmospheric or barometric pressure and is the weight
of air pressing down on the earth’s surface.

Low pressure Low pressure systems form when warm air rises. Low
system pressure systems can be identified when isobars get
lower towards the centre of the pressure system.
Associated weather includes cloudy, unsettled weather,
relatively strong winds and rain. Because normal air
pressure is 1013hPa, any isobar figure below this shows
Low Pressure
Tropical cyclone A tropical cyclone is an intense low and can be identified
when isobars are very close together. Associated
weather includes very heavy rainfall, very strong winds
and high tides. Tropical cyclones on satellite images are
shown as circular swirling bands of cloud.

High pressure High pressure systems are areas of stable atmospheric

system conditions. Air pressure increases towards the centre of
the pressure system. Associated weather includes clear
skies, gentle winds and little chance of rain. Because
normal air pressure is 1013hPa, any isobar figure above
this shows High pressure.
Cold front A cold front is the boundary where cold air moves to
replace, and undercut, warmer and less dense air. Cold
fronts are most frequent over southern Australia. As a
cold front approaches a region, winds freshen from the
north or northwest, pressure falls and rain may occur.
Fronts tend to take 3-5 days to cross the continent.
Calm Calm conditions on a weather map is indicated by a circle
with a dot in the centre.
Rain in previous Rainfall is shown by shaded areas on a weather map
24hrs indicating that there has been rain in the previous 24
hours.
Wind speed Wind speed is proportional to the distance between the
isobars – the closer the lines, the stronger the winds.
Wind speed is often shown in the key of the weather map
and is indicated by the number of barbs on the weather
vane.
Wind direction Winds are named after the direction from which they are
blowing. If the wind is blowing from the southwest, it is
called a ‘southwest wind’ or a ‘southwesterly.

Source: Geography for Australian Citizens, Parker, Lanceley, Owens, Fitzpatrick,

Macmillan, 2008

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Reading Weather Maps

Weather maps are important because we can use them to predict what sort of day it will
be. We can tell whether it will rain, what the temperature will be and what impact the wind
will have. This is done by combining all of the information we have learnt about pressure
systems, cold fronts and isobars.

Will it rain?
 Lows and cold fronts are associated with rising and therefore cooling air, which
usually produces rain.
 Highs tend to be associated with sinking and therefore warming air. Skies are
clear, and the weather tends to be fine.
 Winds blowing off the sea may bring rain.
 Winds blowing from the dry interior bring dry conditions.

What will the temperature be?

It is not possible to tell what the temperature will be by simply reading a weather map, but
you can tell whether it is likely to get warmer or colder.
 After a cold front passes, the temperature will fall.
 Winds from the south usually bring colder weather.
 Winds from the north generally bring warmer conditions.

How windy will it be?

The closer the isobars, the stronger the wind will be. The isobars of a Low tend to be
closer than those of a High. Therefore, winds associated with Low pressure systems tend
to be stronger.

What will be the wind direction?

Wind direction and strength is shown using lines with small barbs or tails. Winds are
named after the direction they come from.

See Study Smart for video explaining how to read a Weather Map.

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Skill Exercise 1

Study the above map and then answer the following questions.

Name the feature approaching Melbourne. ………………………..………………………………

What weather is usually associated with this feature? …………..………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………….………………………………..

Name the feature influencing Darwin’s weather? ………………………………………………….

What weather is usually associated with this feature? …………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What is the highest air pressure shown on the map? ……………………………………………..

Describe the weather that Perth experienced on that day.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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What do the isobars behind the cold front indicate? ………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Describe the weather in:

Sydney: ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Adelaide: ……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Alice Springs: …………………………………………………………………………………………

Which two areas have received rainfall in the past 24 hours?.................................................

State the wind speed and direction at:

Cairns:………………………………… Port Hedland:………………………………………

Refer to the pressure system influencing Hobart’s weather and estimate the direction the wind
is blowing.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Which two areas are experiencing calm weather? ………………………………………………...

What is the isobar interval on this map? ……………………………………………………………

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Skill Exercise 2

State the wind speed and direction at points A, B and C.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Identify the types of air pressure systems marked E and F.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What unit is used to measure the isobars on the map? ……………………..……………………..

Identify the weather feature marked G. In which direction will this feature move? Identify the
changes it may bring to places in its path.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………

What type of pressure system is coming with the cold front? What is this feature bringing?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Identify the pressure system that is affecting Sydney. What type of weather would Sydney be
experiencing?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………

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Skill Exercise 3

Draw the symbol for a cold front.

Draw the symbol for calm.

Draw the symbol for rainfall.

What is the unit of measurement? ……………………………………………………………………

What is the type of pressure cell found east of Townsville? ………………………………………..

What could this mean for ocean-going vessels? ……………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………......

Give the wind speed and direction for the following places.
Port Hedland ……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Adelaide …………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Give the approximate air pressure at each of the following locations.

Sydney ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Canberra …………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Where has rain fallen in the previous 24 hours? ……………………………………………………..

Which organisation issues weather charts like the one shown here?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Skills Exercise 4

Name 4 cities which have received rainfall in the past 24 hours.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What air pressure is experienced by the following cities?

Brisbane: ……………………………… Townsville: …………………………….
Hobart: ………………………………... Kalgoorlie: …………………………….

What is the wind speed at the following cities?

Canberra: …………………………….. Alice Springs: ………………………...

What is the wind direction at the following cities?

Canberra: …………………………….. Thursday Island: …………………….
Hobart: ……………………………….. Alice Springs: ………………………..

Name the type of Air pressure system marked

A ………………………………………... B………………………………………………

What type of weather system is influencing Kalgoorlie? ……………………………………………

What sort of weather conditions would you expect Townsville to be experiencing?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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Understanding Key Terms

Fill in the definitions for the following terms.

Key Term Sentences using the Key Term

Climate

Temperate Zone

Seasons

El Nino

Precipitation

Cold Front

Isobar

Drought

La Nina

Rain-shadow

Hot arid

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