Skip to main content

Using this map as an example, describe how to identify the origin of both cold and warm weather fronts. In addition, describe how to draw their...

Maps typically give us some basic information to help us understand what we are looking at. A title identifies the area of land being visualized. A key or legend is a box listing symbols or colors that occur on the map along with their meanings. This map does not contain these elements. We need closely observe what we see in order to make an inferences about what we are looking at.

Upon first glance, this appears to be a detailed section of North America; Florida is visible in the bottom right hand corner. We do get a little information at the bottom of the map with the labels "weather, temp, dwpt, gusts," and "Surface Pressure and Obs." These likely refer to weather, temperature, dewpoint, and barometric pressure; all of these are variables in weather systems. Numbers on the map ranging from -30 to 70 are scattered across the map, and there are lines demarcating areas. What does this information tell us, and how does it relate to weather fronts?


In order to piece together this puzzle, we need to consult reliable resources. The websites for the Department of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has simple and thorough explanations of weather-based phenomena. The National Association of Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) publishes an extensive guide to symbols used on weather maps. Both are reputable research-driven organizations where we can find accurate information.


Weather fronts are patterns of weather, and the Weather Symbols document published by the NOAA can help us identify these patterns. The first step is to use a copy of the map, along with this document, to identify the patterns of precipitation. We can now see a margin where the precipitation changes phase from solid (snow and sleet) to liquid (rain). This implies a pattern of temperature change that can help us find our cold front. The demarcation of where the air changes from humid to dry can help us identify the warm front. Now that we know how to identify the origins of warm and cold fronts, we need to learn how to depict it on a map.


According to DAS, a cold front is a demarcation of drier, cooler air moving southeastwardly. It should be indicated using a blue line with triangles indicating the direction of movement. We can place our cold front on the map just north and west of the ice crystals. Next, we need to place the warm front. Utilizing the DAS website once again, we find out that air behind a warm front is more humid. The warm front can be symbolized using a solid red line on the map.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more