Section 12.4 – Weather Analysis and Prediction

8th Grade Earth and Space ScienceClass Notes

Wednesday, 5/8Warm – 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.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