Lab 8 - Weather Maps and Wind - SE (1) 2.docx

Harper College Name Andres Soto GEG 112 - Physical Geography Lab 8 – Weather Maps and Wind - 25 pts. Key Terms station model barometric pressure dew point weather cold front warm front stationary front occluded front isobar air mass jet stream midlatitude cyclone Polar Front Theory Introduction In this lab, you will practice the interpretation of station models and surface weather maps and use that information to interpret weather conditions. Weather forecasting is a mix of science, computer modelling and inference. Forecasters must combine data from a myriad of sources to put together their best guess of what the weather will be. While not always correct, we do appreciate when they are! As you complete this lab, you will gain a feeling for weather forecasting and how to use the information available to forecasters. A. Describing hazardous weather Use your own words to define the following terms used to describe hazardous weather: (1.5 pts.) Watch: ________________________________________________________________________ A watch is suppose to be intended for people be careful due to hazardous weather that soon might be present. Warning: ______________________________________________________________________ A watch is suppose to be intended for people who have not yet taken shelter to do so immediately. Advisory: ______________________________________________________________________ A advisory is an announcement to tell people living in the near by area that hazardous weather is happening. B. Components of the Weather Observation Symbol (Station Model) Station models use symbols to represent information about current and past weather conditions. Fill in the blank boxes on the diagram telling what type of meteorological information is shown at each position. [ Note : provide the type of information, not the details of this particular station model.] Use the Internet to find a website that describes station models. 2 pts. Harper College. Geography Department (GEG 112. Lab Worksheet ) 1

C. Wind Direction and Speed The single line extending from the station model shows the direction that the wind is coming from (Very important to remember) . “Feathers” attached to the end of this line indicate wind speed – ½ a feather = 5 knots, one full feather = 10 knots, and a triangular feather = 50 knots. 1. What is the wind direction and speed represented on the station model on the previous page? (1 pt.) The wind direction is southwest and the speed is 10 knots D. Recall the diagram of global atmospheric circulation discussed in class. 1. In June 2020, a giant plume of dust and sand, that originated over the Sahara Desert, reached the United States. Which global winds caused this to happen? (.5 pt.) The Trade winds It caused dust and sand to travel from the Sahara over the ocean and into the United States 2. The Pineapple Express, a well-known sky river (or atmospheric river) originates near Hawaii. It brings much needed water vapor to the dry areas along the west coast of North America, particularly California. Which global wind is involved in this transport? (.5 pt.) The westerlies lending a hand by bringing water vapor to California You have learned that flight paths follow great circles and do not necessarily run in straight lines from one location to the next. 3. Based on your knowledge of global circulation, which non-stop flight would you expect to take longer, Chicago-Tokyo, Japan or Tokyo, Japan - Chicago? It should take longer to fly from Tokyo to Chicago, the reason being would be the jetstream that pushes the pilots forward. 4. Double check your answer by going to the United Airlines website. United has nonstop flights to Japan’s main airport, Narita International Airport (NRT). Pretend to book a flight and record the nonstop flight times below. Harper College. Geography Department (GEG 112. Lab Worksheet ) 2

Chicago-Tokyo: 16 Hours 6 Min Tokyo – Chicago: 16 Hours 2 Min 5. Now go to the website https://www.flightconnections.com/ and find the flight path of your “trip”. A. What do you notice about the flight path? The flight path is curved and not straight B. How well do the flight times match with your answer to question 3? It doesnt match up at all with Chicago being at 11 Hour 45 Min and Tokyo being at 13 hours 30 min Harper College. Geography Department (GEG 112. Lab Worksheet ) 3

C. Use the flight times you recorded above, the flight path, and your knowledge of the global winds to explain why there is such a difference in total flight time. ( 2 pts.) For flights to be faster it has to pass in the Jet stream. Although the flight from Tokyo to Chicago passes through the westerlies, this makes the flight shorter. E. Barometric Pressure Before starting this next section, turn to the last page of this lab and read the instructions on how to read and convert barometric air pressure readings. 1. Convert the air pressure values in the table below. (1.5 pts.) Station model values 089 144 764 0.82 988 285 Surface weather map 1008.9 1014.4 976.4 1008.2 988.0 1028.5 F. Station Model Interpretation Now it is time to apply what you have learned thus far. Interpret the station model shown below. (1.5 pts.) air temperature 65 actual barometric pressure 226 pressure tendency 32 Pressure in the last 3 hours Falling then rising Wind direction NE Wind speed 15 Present Weather Light Rain Cloud cover 50% dew point 54 Harper College. Geography Department (GEG 112. Lab Worksheet ) 4

Harper College. Geography Department (GEG 112. Lab Worksheet ) 5

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help