earth science core curriculum: 2.1g weather variables can be represented in a variety of formats...

Earth Science Core Curriculum:2.1g Weather variables can be represented in a variety of formats including radar and satellite images, weather maps (including station models, isobars, and fronts), atmospheric cross-sections, and computer models.

Loury asked for a conference yesterday so that we could talk about weather station models. Here is the question we discussed:

• What is a weather station model?– Draw a weather station model and label its parts– Describe how present weather is represented on

weather station models

Loury decided that the Earth Science Reference Table might help, so we turned to page 13.

Here it is!

There are three confusing areas on the weather station model: temperature/dewpoint, wind, and barometric pressure.

Temperature and Dewpoint:• Both are given in degrees Fahrenheit• The closer together the two numbers, the

more likely it is there will be precipitation!

Wind Speed:

Wind Direction:

Barometric Pressure:• This number is not real pressure. We have to change it into

millibars.• To do this:– If the first number is less than 4, add a 10 to the front– If the first number is greater than 6, add a 9 to the front. – Put a decimal before the last number

Examples of Barometric Pressure:

To do this:• If the first number is less than 4, add a 10 to the front• If the first number is greater than 6, add a 9 to the front. • Put a decimal before the last number

What is the pressure at this station model?

Examples of Barometric Pressure:

This shows what is happening to the pressure: is it going up, is it going down, is it staying the same?

Your turn to make a weather station model!Temperature: 41°F Wind Speed: 10 knotsDewpoint: 30°F Wind Direction: NEVisibility: 9 miles Precipitation: 0.15 inchesCloud Cover: 50% Present Weather: DrizzlePressure: 1020.0 mb Barometric Trend: 1.2 mb decrease

Temperature: 41°F Wind Speed: 10 knotsDewpoint: 30°F Wind Direction: NEVisibility: 9 miles Precipitation: 0.15 inchesCloud Cover: 50% Present Weather: DrizzlePressure: 1020.0 mb Barometric Trend: 1.2 mb decrease