Weather PredictionWeather Prediction

How do weather forecasters predictHow do weather forecasters predict the weather? the weather?

How has technology helped to imprHow has technology helped to improve weather forecasts?ove weather forecasts?

What can be learned from the inforWhat can be learned from the information on weather maps?mation on weather maps?

How do weather forecasters predict tHow do weather forecasters predict the weather?he weather?

Meteorologists- Scientist who studies the causes of weather and tries to predict it

Meteorologists’ most important tool? Meteorologists’ most important tool? RADAR!!!!!RADAR!!!!!

Current National Doppler Radar Map - Current National Doppler Radar Map - USATODAY.comUSATODAY.com

NWS radar image from Raleigh/Durham, NCNWS radar image from Raleigh/Durham, NC

How has technology helped to improHow has technology helped to improve weather forecasts?ve weather forecasts? Technological improvements in gathering Technological improvements in gathering

weather data and using computers have weather data and using computers have improved the accuracy of weather forecastsimproved the accuracy of weather forecasts

The most recent advancement is the The most recent advancement is the SATELLITESATELLITE

Satellite Images - Satellite Images - NOAA'sNOAA's National Weather Service National Weather Service

What can of information is found in What can of information is found in the news?the news?

Current temperatureCurrent temperature Forecast hourly, day, Forecast hourly, day,

extendedextended AlertsAlerts Sunrise, sunsetSunrise, sunset HumidityHumidity

Check weather onlineCheck weather online

Air pressureAir pressure Daily highs and lowsDaily highs and lows Wind speed and Wind speed and

directiondirection Record highs and lowsRecord highs and lows Severe weatherSevere weather Cloud coverCloud cover

What can be learned from the informWhat can be learned from the information on weather maps?ation on weather maps?

Standard symbols on weather maps show Standard symbols on weather maps show fronts, areas of high and low pressure, type fronts, areas of high and low pressure, type of precipitation, and temperatures.of precipitation, and temperatures.

Weather MapWeather Map

Weather ToolsWeather Tools

Psychrometer- Psychrometer- measure relative humiditymeasure relative humidity Anemometer- Anemometer- measures wind speedmeasures wind speed Barometers-Barometers- measures air pressure measures air pressure

• Aneroid (without liquid)-Aneroid (without liquid)- accurately describe how this accurately describe how this barometer functions. Instead of mercury, these barometer functions. Instead of mercury, these barometers use a small metal box called an aneroid cell. barometers use a small metal box called an aneroid cell. This cell is actually a bellows and springs system which This cell is actually a bellows and springs system which expands or contracts as air pressure changes. expands or contracts as air pressure changes.

• MercuryMercury-A column of mercury is inside a glass tube -A column of mercury is inside a glass tube sealed at one end. The other end rests in a small cup of sealed at one end. The other end rests in a small cup of mercury, called a cistern. mercury, called a cistern.

FrontsFrontsCold FrontCold Front

transition zone from warm air to cold air transition zone from warm air to cold air A cold front is defined as the transition zone where a cold A cold front is defined as the transition zone where a cold

air mass is replacing a warmer air mass. air mass is replacing a warmer air mass. When a cold front passes through, temperatures can drop When a cold front passes through, temperatures can drop

more than 15 degrees within the first hourmore than 15 degrees within the first hour

FrontsFrontsStationary FrontStationary Fronta front that is not movinga front that is not moving

When a warm or cold front stops moving, it becomes a When a warm or cold front stops moving, it becomes a stationary front. Once this boundary resumes its forward stationary front. Once this boundary resumes its forward motion, it once again becomes a motion, it once again becomes a warm frontwarm front or or cold frontcold front..

A stationary front is represented by alternating blue and A stationary front is represented by alternating blue and red lines with blue triangles pointing towards the warmer air red lines with blue triangles pointing towards the warmer air

and red semicircles pointing towards the colder airand red semicircles pointing towards the colder air

FrontsFrontsWarm FrontWarm Front

transition zone from cold air to warm air

• A warm front is defined as the transition zone where a warm air mass is replacing a cold air mass.

• Warm fronts generally move from southwest to northeast and the air behind a warm front is warmer and more moist than the air ahead of it.

• When a warm front passes through, the air becomes noticeably warmer and more humid than it was before.

FrontsFrontsOccluded FrontOccluded Front

when a cold front overtakes a warm front when a cold front overtakes a warm front A developing cyclone typically has a preceding warm front A developing cyclone typically has a preceding warm front

(the leading edge of a warm moist air mass) and a faster (the leading edge of a warm moist air mass) and a faster moving cold front (the leading edge of a colder drier air moving cold front (the leading edge of a colder drier air mass wrapping around the storm). mass wrapping around the storm).

North of the warm front is a mass of cooler air that was in North of the warm front is a mass of cooler air that was in

place before the storm even entered the regionplace before the storm even entered the region. .

El NinoEl Nino

an abnormal warming of surface ocean an abnormal warming of surface ocean waters in the eastern tropical Pacific. waters in the eastern tropical Pacific.