Warm-Up Weather Forecasting

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Warm-Up Weather Forecasting

Lesson Question

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WK2 Words to Know

Fill in this table as you work through the lesson. You may also use the glossary to help you.

automated describing a process by which , instead of humans, complete tasks

isobar a line connecting points of equal pressure on a weather map

isoline a line connecting points of or equal value on a map

isotherm a line connecting points of equal air on a weather map

meteorologist a scientist who studies and forecasts

meteorology the study of atmosphere

radara device used to determine the location and speed of

Lesson Goals

Describe basic elements of

.

Describe what information can be

gained from a map.


Warm-Up Weather Forecasting

Weather Forecasts

Weather forecasts provide information about the weather several days in

.

Day Description Temperature Precipitation Wind Humidity

Friday Cloudy 67°/47° 50%NNE 10

mph85%

Saturday Mostly Sunny 72°/53° 0% N 6 mph 50%

Sunday Cloudy 78°/55° 80%WNW

13 mph

95%

• The higher the percentage of , the more likely it will rain.

• The letters represent the . So N means north, and E means East.

• The is the amount of water vapor that’s in the air. The higher

the , the more uncomfortable it feels outside.


2Slide

Weather ForecastingInstruction

Meteorology

Meteorology is the study of Earth’s .

• Weather

• Weather

• A meteorologist is a scientist who studies and forecasts weather.

• Makes observations

• Uses data from instruments

Making Observations

One key way to observe the atmosphere is to watch changes in .

• Other important factors to observe include:

• speed and .

• temperature.

• air .

• humidity.



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4

Using Data from Instruments

Meteorologists collect data using a variety of instruments.

• Weather , satellites, and weather are

sources of data.

• Maps, charts, and are used to analyze weather data

to prepare forecasts.

• is used to locate and track storms and to follow the path

of storm systems.

• Information in weather reports often comes from the National Weather Service.

Weather Technology

WEATHER BALLOONS

Weather balloons are a source of data for weather .

• Help scientists study atmosphere to learn about weather all over the world

• Measure air pressure, , , and wind speed and direction

• Collect data that changes in the and

warn about severe weather



4Slide

Weather Technology

SATELLITES

Satellites help monitor and predict weather and events.

• valuable data on developing weather systems

• Collect data for weather, climate, and environmental monitoring

• Enable - to ten-day weather forecasts

Weather Technology

AUTOMATED WEATHER STATIONS

An automated weather station records atmospheric .

• Measurements are transmitted automatically to a central .

• Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) is the nation’s primary

weather-observing .



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6

Weather Technology

COMPUTER FORECASTS

Computers combine data from multiple sources to help meteorologists create forecasts.

• The most common computer forecast model is called weather prediction (NWP).

• NWP compiles data from weather balloons, satellites, weather

, and observations.

• The NWP model uses equations to show what

will happen to the atmosphere if temperature, air pressure, or humidity change.

Weather Forecasts

Forecasts today are much more accurate than in the past.

• forecasting—five days or fewer—are fairly

accurate.

• predictions—more than 10 days—are somewhat

accurate.

• Greater in forecasts is due to improvements in

.



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9

Limitations of Long-Range Predictions

Accurate long-range predictions are still unlikely due to the “ effect.”

• Even changes in the atmosphere can cause

changes later.

Weather Maps

Weather maps display atmospheric conditions.

• Use symbols to show these conditions

• Help with research and weather

Many weather maps are produced by the National Weather Service.



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Isolines

An isoline is a line on a map that connects points of value.

An is a line connecting

points of equal air pressure on a weather map.

An is a line

connecting points of equal air temperature on a weather map.

Newspaper Weather Maps

Newspaper weather maps are versions of weather maps.

• These maps use standard for:

• fronts.

• high and low areas.

• types of .

• temperatures.



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Reading a Weather Map

• fronts are marked with red half-circles. fronts are

marked with blue triangles.

• The symbols in the direction the storm is moving.

• The cold front is moving toward the .

• In the US, fronts generally move from the west to the because of

the direction of the jet stream and Earth’s .

• Areas with pressure have clear skies.

• Precipitation is associated with -pressure areas.



11Slide


Draw a circle around the warm front in the image.

Draw a square around the cold front in the image.


Some weather maps provide more detailed data, including:

• wind and

.

• pressure.

• temperature.

• weather .


Summary Weather Forecasting

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Answer

Review: Key Concepts

Maps

• Meteorologists use instruments to collect data from direct observations.

• The instruments include weather balloons, satellites, weather stations, computer forecasts, and radar.

• The accuracy of short-range and long-range weather forecasts varies.

• Weather service maps use global data including isotherms, isobars, and other isolines.

• Newspaper maps are simplified versions of weather service maps.

Lesson Question How do scientists forecast the weather?

2Slide


Summary Weather Forecasting

Use this space to write any questions or thoughts about this lesson.

Documents

Warm-Up Weather Forecasting