'Interpreting Weather Symbols - The Visual Language Of Weather' Geography Worksheet printable pdf download

'Interpreting Weather Symbols - The Visual Language Of Weather' Geography Worksheet

Name ____________________________________________ Date __________

Activity 3.2.2

Interpreting Weather Symbols—the visual language of

weather

Objectives

To decode symbols appearing on a surface weather map and describe weather

conditions at various locations on the map.

Materials

• Student Worksheet 3.3.1 Weather Symbols

• Student Worksheet 3.3.2 Interpreting Weather Symbols—the visual language

of weather (this sheet)

• atlas or other U.S. maps showing major cities

• pencil

• current U.S. weather map

Procedure

1. Look at the current U.S. weather maps and review Activity 3.3.1 and 3.3.2

worksheets.

2. Use the symbol key on 3.3.1 to determine the current surface weather

conditions reported at each city on the list.

Rules for representing current conditions on a surface weather map:

• Each surface station is designated as a circle on the weather map.

• Current temperature in degrees Fahrenheit is displayed at the 11 o’clock

position.

• Dew point is displayed at the 8 o’clock position.

• Precipitation type is displayed at the 9 o’clock position.

• Air pressure, reported to the nearest tenth of a millibar, is displayed at the 1

o’clock position. To read the air pressure, place a decimal point between the

second and third number. Then add a 9 or 10 to the left so the resulting air

pressure falls between 960 mb and 1050 mb.

• Wind direction is displayed as a shaft extending out from the circle and

pointing in the direction from which the wind blows.

• Wind speed is displayed by the number of feathers or a pennant drawn on the

clockwise side of the shaft.

• Sky coverage is displayed by the percentage of the circle that is shaded in.

'Interpreting Weather Symbols - The Visual Language Of Weather' Geography Worksheet