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Weather Map Features

Weather maps on television and in newspapers allow viewers to see what the weather is doing. Maps show areas of high and low pressure, storms, cloud cover and temperature using a variety of features. Some of these, such as sun or cloud symbols, are easier to interpret than others, such as isobars. To make sense of these weather pictures you need to know what all the lines and various symbols signify.
  1. Pressure

    • Areas of high and low pressure on a weather map are labelled "H" and "L" respectively. If you live in a low-pressure area, expect some rain, which may be shown on the map by a cloud with rain falling from it. If you are in a high-pressure area, you can probably look forward to blue skies and sunshine. The amount of sunshine or rain depends on the amount of pressure. Low-pressure areas can produce anything from a shower to a torrential deluge.

    Isobars

    • Isobars are lines of equal air pressure and they usually have a number on them that indicates the air pressure in millibars. For example at the center of a high-pressure system, the number is higher. When isobar lines are close together, this indicates strong winds that are typical of low pressure. When the lines are wide apart, you can expect the calm, sunny weather associated with high pressure.

    Wind Patterns

    • High and low pressure affect wind direction. In the northern hemisphere, wind flows counterclockwise around areas of low pressure and clockwise around high pressure systems. It is the opposite in the southern hemisphere. Follow the isobars out from the center and you´ll see from which direction the wind is coming. Wind coming from a high latitude is generally cold, while wind coming from low latitudes close to the equator is warm.

    Fronts

    • Fronts are air masses of different temperatures and they are indicated by lines. Lines showing a cold front have triangles on them; lines showing warm fronts have circles. Follow the direction in which the triangles and circles are pointing and you´ll see which way the front is heading. The approach of a front usually indicates a change in the weather. A line with triangles on one side and circles on the other shows a weather front that is not moving.


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