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Baras, Canaman, Camarines Sur

ACTIVITY: Weather Patterns and Prediction Synoptic Activity

Name Jacobe, Jade B. Year & Section 3RD Year 3A 4

(Family Name, Given MI)
Activity No. 1 – Semi Final Course Title: Meteorology and Oceanography
Instructor: Capt. Andrews SA. Benitez Subject: MET-O2

Date Presented: Date Submitted:

(Date) (Month) (Year) (Date) (Month) (Year)

Objective:
Explore the correlation between wind patterns, atmospheric pressure, and weather conditions to enhance
skills in weather prediction. This synoptic activity provides students with a hands-on opportunity to deepen
their understanding of weather patterns, wind direction, and the influence of low-pressure systems on local
weather conditions.
Activity Guidelines (Delete the bullets under the numbered components substitute it with your own
observation in the corresponding chart you will be working).

Components:

1. Weather Data Analysis:

❖ After examining the synoptic chart, I have identified three low-pressure systems positioned at
distances of 70, 50, and 160 nautical miles, respectively, and one high-pressure system situated
240 nautical miles away.
❖ The Maritime Tropical (mT) classification of the region where my ship is located indicates the
presence of warm and humid air masses originating from tropical oceans. This atmospheric
condition can have a substantial impact on weather patterns, thereby influencing navigation
considerations.
❖ Close to my ship, there is a warm front and a low-pressure area (LPA) on both the port and
starboard sides. The interaction between these atmospheric features has the potential to affect the
current weather conditions and impact the trajectory of the ship.
❖ The LPA is anticipated to move northeast, away from the ship's position. This movement can lead
to changes in surrounding weather patterns, influencing factors such as wind speed and direction.
❖ Observations at the local level reveal dense fog over the waters surrounding my ship. Dense fog
poses a significant visibility challenge, requiring navigators to exercise caution. This may involve
altering course or implementing other precautionary measures to ensure safe navigation under
such conditions.

2. Wind Direction Study:

❖ Land features like mountains, valleys, and water bodies have the potential to modify both the
direction and velocity of the wind. For instance, mountains can obstruct or divert the flow of winds,
leading to the creation of wind shadows on one side and increased speeds on the opposite side.
 Coastal regions frequently encounter sea breezes, a phenomenon where cooler air from the ocean
replaces warmer air from inland areas during daylight hours. A thorough comprehension of the local
geographical characteristics is imperative for accurately predicting and efficiently harnessing wind
energy resources.
❖ The rotation of the Earth influences wind direction on a larger scale. The Coriolis effect causes
moving air masses to be deflected, leading to the creation of prevailing wind belts, such as the
trade winds and westerlies.

3. Low-Pressure Systems:

❖ In the vicinity of my ship's current position, dense fog has been observed, especially over nearby
waters.
❖ Given the ship's proximity to both a Low-Pressure Area (LPA) and a warm front, an increase in
precipitation is expected. This precipitation can manifest in various forms such as rain, heavy
rainfall, and the potential for thunderstorms.
❖ Clouds: The presence of a low-pressure system typically results in cloudiness and overcast skies.
This occurs due to the upward movement of air within the low-pressure area, leading to
condensation and the formation of clouds.
❖ Precipitation: The upward movement of air in low-pressure areas often triggers the formation of
precipitation. This precipitation can take the form of rain, snow, or storms, depending on the
atmospheric conditions within the low-pressure system.
❖ Wind: Winds tend to converge towards the center of a low-pressure system, and the circulation
around the low can generate gusty winds in the surrounding areas. This wind pattern is a
characteristic feature associated with low-pressure systems.
❖ Unstable Weather: Low-pressure systems are inherently linked to less stable atmospheric
conditions. This instability creates an environment conducive to the development of storms and
unsettled weather, amplifying the potential for dynamic and rapidly changing weather patterns.
❖ Temperature Changes: The influence of low-pressure areas on temperature is contingent on
various factors such as the season and the specific characteristics of the air masses involved. As a
result, low-pressure systems may induce fluctuations and changes in temperature, contributing to
the overall atmospheric dynamics in the region.

4. Synoptic Weather Maps:

❖ Considering my location in the northern hemisphere, winds rotate clockwise around an anticyclone.
Anticyclones typically have widely spaced isobars, resulting in generally light winds. I find myself
with a warm front on my starboard side. The direction of the wind at the surface typically changes
as the front passes through an area. Before the warm front arrives, the wind generally blows from
the east or southeast in the warm sector. This is known as the pre-frontal southerly flow. As the
warm front approaches and passes, there is often a shift in wind direction. The wind tends to
become south or southwest after the warm front has moved through. This shift in wind direction is
associated with the warm air replacing the cooler air mass as the warm front advances. Moving
southeast away from a Low-Pressure Area (LPA), improvements in weather conditions are
expected in the coming hours.

5. Weather Prediction Model:

❖ LPA located at 39N 153E will move northeast with the speed of 20 knots.
❖ LPA located at 43N 137E will move eastward with the speed of 20 knots.
❖ HPA located at 34N 168E will move eastward with the speed of 25 knots.
 6. Practical Observation:

❖ In the northern hemisphere, the winds encircling an anticyclone demonstrate a clockwise rotation
due to widely spaced isobars, resulting in relatively mild wind speeds. As a warm front approached
from the port side, the winds backed up, and the velocity behind the front seemed to slow down and
stabilize. This atmospheric setup is expected to bring about significant precipitation. The weather
outlook improves as the journey progresses southward, moving away from the low-pressure area
(LPA).
❖ Dense fog has been observed locally in waters near the ship's location. The ship's proximity to both
the warm front and the LPA suggests an anticipation of increased rainfall, potentially heavy, and the
possibility of thunderstorms.
❖ Clouds: Clouds are likely to form due to rising air and condensation in low-pressure systems, often
resulting in overcast skies. The upward movement of air in low-pressure zones contributes to the
formation of precipitation, which can include rain, snow, and storms.
❖ Wind: In terms of wind, gusty winds may emerge as air converges into a low-pressure area,
contributing to the circulation around the low. This can result in variable and potentially strong winds
in the surrounding areas.
❖ Unstable Weather: Low-pressure systems are associated with unstable atmospheric conditions,
creating an environment conducive to the development of storms and unsettled weather. The
dynamic nature of low-pressure systems can lead to rapid and unpredictable changes in weather
patterns.
❖ Temperature Changes: Temperature changes in low-pressure areas are contingent on various
factors, including the season and the characteristics of the air masses involved. These fluctuations
contribute to the overall atmospheric dynamics and influence the prevailing weather conditions.
❖ The ship's current position is within the Maritime Tropical (mT) air mass region, characterized by
warm and humid air masses originating from tropical oceans. The anticipated wind speed in the
northwest, the ship's direction, is expected to be around 30 knots. Cirrostratus clouds are observed,
showing no indications of strengthening or covering the entire sky.
❖ On the starboard side of the ship, a warm front is present, and there is a low-pressure area (LPA) in
the vicinity. The LPA is predicted to move northeast away from the ship, impacting the surrounding
weather patterns.

Presentation:
Please see the attached synoptic chart