Reading Weather Maps Fronts Triangles (usually blue) = Cold Front
Semicircles (usually red) = Warm Front
Triangles & Semicircles = Stationary Front
Clouds occur along fronts when there isn’t a lot of water vapor in the air Rain and other precipitation happen along fronts when there is a lot of water vapor in the air Triangles and semicircles point in the direction that the front is moving
Air Pressure Systems
H
(usually blue) = High Atmospheric Pressure
Usually move S and E (here in the eastern US)
Precipitation usually does not occur Weather is dry, clear, and sunny
L
(usually red) = Low Atmospheric Pressure
Usually moves N and E (here in the eastern US) Precipitation can occur Weather is cloudy and unsettled
Other Isobars Lines on a map that connect places with equal pressure Isotherms Lines on a map that connect places with equal temperature Weather Symbols Describe the type of weather occurring in an area For example: rain drops, clouds, snowflakes, sun