Surface Weather Analysis Chart Flashcards
What is a Surface Weather Analysis Chart?
A snapshot of the position of weather systems, clouds and organized areas of precipitation. Or a synopsis.
What are the “syno” hours?
00Z, 06Z, 12Z and 18Z
What are surface weather maps used for?
As a starting point by forecasters
To analyze pressure patterns and frontal systems.
Where does most clouds and precipitation form?
In and around lows, troughs and frontal systems.
Which type of front increases temperature and humidity?
Warm front
Differentiate between frontogenesis and frontolysis.
Frontogenesis represents a front that is forming due to increase in temp gradient at surface.
Frontolysis represents a front that is losing its identity, usually due to increasing pressure.
Does cloud and precipitation usually accompany a quasi-stationary front?
Yes
Differentiate between fog and mist?
Fog: Suspended water droplets that obscure surface layers of atmosphere.
Mist: Suspended water droplets at a lower density than fog. Visibility equal or greater than 1000m.
What are historical and current pressure systems marked with?
Historical: Circle
Current: Circle with an “X” in it
Explain the changes to surface wind after a low and high system pass by.
When a low passes, wind shifts from southerly to northerly.
Vice versa for high
What is the difference between haze and smoke?
Haze: Suspension of dry particles, invisible to eye but give air an opalescent appearance.
Smoke: Suspension of small particles produced by combustion.
What is a tropical storm?
Organized TS with a cyclonic wind circulation between 35 and 64 kts.
What is a hurricane? Where does it originate?
Severe tropical storm with winds greater than 120 km/h.
It originates over the tropical, subtropical and North Atlantic and Pacific oceans
