Section 12.4 – Weather Analysis and Prediction

8 th Grade Earth and Space Science Class Notes

Wednesday, 5/8

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Warm – Up

Explain what happens at a cold front. How is a cold front represented on a weather map?

Write down the HW.

Learning Goal – Identify the various ways that weather data is collected.

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Agenda

Warm-Up Question/Review HW Class notes/discussion of Section 12.3

Work on Weather Data WS (pg. 38) and 12.3 Review (pg.42)

Homework -

Air Mass WS and Section 12.1 Review due by Friday, 5/10 Global Wind Systems WS and Section 12.2 Review due by Friday, 5/10 Weather Data WS (pg. 38) and Section 12.3 Review due by Friday, 5/10

Station Models

• • • A record of weather data for a particular site at a particular time Uses meteorological symbols (see Figure 12.17) for example All meteorologists to have a convenient and efficient way to share data

Plotting Station Model Data

• Meteorologists use lines to connect points of equal or constant values.

• • Isobars – lines of equal pressure Isotherms – lines of equal temperature

Interpreting Station Model Data

• • • Isobars that are close together indicate strong winds Isobars that are far apart indicate light winds Indicates high and low pressure systems

Digital Forecasts

• Created by applying physical principles and math to atmospheric variables and making a prediction about how these variables will change over time • Main method used by present day meteorologists

Analog Forecasts

• • Based on comparison of current weather patterns to those of the past Useful for conducting monthly or seasonal forecasts

Short-Term Forecasts

• One to three days based on behavior of larger surface and upper-level features (low pressure, high pressure, etc.) • Usually accurate for temperatures and precipitation

Long-Term Forecast

• • • Less reliable than short-term forecasts 4-7 day forecasts rely on circulation patterns in the troposphere and upper stratosphere Forecasts for months or seasons are based on weather cycles or patterns