Synoptic Charts

Question 1

Dew Point Temperature

Answer 1

the temperature at which condensation occurs

Question 2

The relationship between air and dew point temperature

Answer 2

the closer the air and dew point temperatures are, the greater the relative humidity and therefore more cloud cover and higher chance rain.

Question 3

What is a synoptic map?

Answer 3

A synoptic map is a summary of the weather conditions. They receive the information from a satellite called a Meteostat, ships at sea and local weather station on land/islands.

Question 4

What does a station model display?

Answer 4

Cloud cover, dew point temperature, air temperature, wind direction, wind speed and weather conditions e.g. rain, drizzle, fog, thunderstorms etc.

Question 5

Relative humidity

Answer 5

the amount of water vapour present in air expressed as a percentage out of the maximum amount of moisture that the air can hold at a particular temperature.

Question 6

Air movement in a LP cell

Answer 6

1) converging
2) rising
3) clockwise

Question 7

Air movement in a HP cell

Answer 7

1) diverging
2) descending
3) anti-clockwise

Question 8

Atmospheric or air pressure definition

What is used to measure and measurement units

Answer 8

the force exerted on a surface by air above it as gravity pulls it to Earth.
Barometer & hectopascals (hPa)

Question 9

LP can be referred as

Answer 9

cyclone or depression

Question 10

HP can be referred as

Answer 10

anti-cyclone

Question 11

LP weather

Answer 11

cloudy, rainy

Question 12

HP weather

Answer 12

fine, clear skies

Question 13

Isobar

Answer 13

a line joining places of equal air pressure at sea level.

Question 14

Trough

Answer 14

isobars bending outwards around a LP cell

Question 15

Ridge/wedge

Answer 15

isobars bending outwards around a HP cell

Question 16

Saddle

Answer 16

area of constant pressure between 2 HP cells

Question 17

Summer synoptic map

Answer 17

1) tropical cyclone present
2) sub-tropical HP belt has shifted south (SAHP & SIHP)
3) trough of LP over the interior
4) date e.g. summer month
5) high temps (look at interior places as unmoderated
by oceans)
6) cloud cover over interior
7) cold frontal system shifted south therefore no rain in
SW cape

Question 18

Winter synoptic map

Answer 18

1) sub-tropical HP belt has shifted north (SAHP & SIHP)
2) KHP over the interior
3) date e.g. winter month
4) low temps (look at interior places as unmoderated
by oceans)
5) clear skies over interior
6) cold frontal system shifted north therefore rain in
SW cape