Introduction to Weather Map
Name: __________________________________________________________ Period: _____________ Date: _________
Essential Question: How do I interpret a station model and weather map?
1. What do meteorologist do with all the weather data that they gather? p 317
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Label the station model and complete the text on the lower right. figure-12-15, p. 317
A station model shows
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2. Describe a weather map. P. 322-323
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3. Isopleths are ____________________________ . Lines of equal pressure are called _________; lines of equal
temperature are called ____________________________. Isobars that are close together indicate a large
pressure __________________________. A large pressure difference causes
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4. Study figure 12-16 on page 319. The map shows air pressure data for the United States. Where would you
expect light winds? Remember the closer the isobars ( lines of equal pressure) the larger the pressure
difference and the stronger the winds.
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5. What is digital forecast and how is it related to density of data? P. 319
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6. How do meteorologists ensure the accuracy of analog forecast ? P. 320
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7. Why are short term forecasts more accurate than long term forecasts? P. 320-321
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Mapping Geo-Lab: Interpreting a Weather Map (p. 322-323)
8. The map scale on page 323 is given in _______________________. P. 322
9. The unit for isobars is ____________________ (mb) p. 322
10. What are the weather fronts in the weather map? P. 322, p. 306-307
Weather fronts
11.
Drawing of Weather Fronts
L in the weather map means low pressure and bad weather while H means high pressure and good weather.
a. Which has a good weather? Encircle your answer and explain.
Coast of Oregon
Central Canada
Explain your answer?
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12. What is the contour interval of the isobars? _____________________________________ p. 323
14. High pressure systems refer to ______________________ ( good weather, bad weather)
15. Low pressure systems refer to ______________________ ( good weather, bad weather)
16. When the air pressure is gradually decreasing this means ___________________ ( precipitation, clear sky)
17. When the air pressure is gradually increasing this means ___________________ ( precipitation, clear sky)
18. How is climate different from weather?
A. Climate refers to the atmospheric conditions on a given date, whereas weather refers to the
atmospheric conditions during a given season.
B. Climate is based on observations made for a region over several years, whereas weather is based on
day-to-day observations made for a region.
19. Which occurs within a high-pressure system?
A. the formation of hurricanes B. large clouds, as air rises
20. What has most likely occurred in this area?
A. A warm front has passed.
B. A cold front has passed.
C. A blizzard has taken place.
D. A high-pressure system has stalled
C. calm weather, as air sinks