For this project you will apply past and present data to predict and future weather patterns and events and justify the predictions in terms of energy transfer between various systems. You will use this information to create maps and write a two-day weather forecast. 300 point project grade will include: 1. Four maps of the United States. 50 points each (200 points total) a. Current isotherm map with correctly identified cold and warm air masses b. Current isobar map with correctly identified high and low pressure systems and; c. Using your isotherm and isobar maps, create a CURRENT map that includes colored warm/cold/stationary fronts with descriptions of weather at each of the fronts. ** you don t need to include an occluded front on current map d. A FORCASTED map of the next day based on your predictions that includes colored warm/cold/stationary/occluded fronts with descriptions of weather at each of the fronts. YOU MUST USE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE MOVEMENT OF AIR MASSES DUE TO THE CORIOLIS EFFECT TO FORECAST! 2. One map of Arizona (or a different state of your choice) that includes weather station models of six cities. 50 points 3. A weather report with correct grammar including at LEAST! 50 points o Fun/interesting introduction o Locations of the highest and lowest temperatures in the country. Use city names. o Location of the windiest part of the country. Use city names. o Locations of high and low pressure systems. Use city names. o Location of at least one cold, warm, occluded and stationary front. Use names of states or regions. o At least three descriptions of current weather related to the location of the warm/cold/stationary/occluded fronts. Use specific cities for each. o Forecast of next day s weather. You must include the correct new location of the warm/cold/stationary/occluded fronts at least three descriptions of current weather related to the new locations of the fronts. Use specific cities for each. o A report of current Arizona weather describing the highest and lowest temperatures, windiest city and any interesting weather. o Fun/interesting closure! *** You can earn 10% extra credit for filming your weather reports! You can work in groups for the extra credit. 4. Final maps and weather reports include accurate descriptions of warm and cold fronts, the high and low pressure systems, the temperatures and precipitation. 5. Participation and productivity in class. ***Use the maps on http://www.usairnet.com/ use this website for data for isotherm and isobars http://vortex.plymouth.edu/ Great maps, some have forecast
How to find fronts? 1. Most often at a low pressure system 2. A sharp temperature change to find fronts. Use isotherms to find the temperature gradient 3. A sharp change in wind direction, look at the wind barbs. Where is it the windiest? Find the area with the strongest pressure gradient. Wind blows parallel to the isobars What weather to expect at a low pressure system. 1. Formation of a warm front with a cold front behind it. 2. The fast moving cold front overtakes the slow moving warm front. 3. The cold front overtakes the warm front, pushing it up in the atmosphere forming an occluded front. Precipitation/clouds Temperature Winds A Before the Fronts No rain/snow No temperature change Calm winds B Approaching warm front Variable, light drizzly rain Temperature rises Increasing southerly winds C Arrival of the warm front Continuous light drizzly Slight decreases in temperature Stronger South-Westerly winds rain/snow D Warm sector between fronts Little rain, partly sunny Temperature increases Decreasing westerly winds E Approaching the cold front Thunderstorms or snow showers Temperature decreases Strong North-Westerly winds F Passing of cold front Rain/snow stops Temperature decreases further Calming North-Westerly winds
What happens at an occluded front? What weather to expect Description Illustration Before Passing warm front and a faster moving cold front (the Temperature Cold leading edge of a colder drier air Pressure usually mass wrapping falling around the Precipitation light, storm) moderate or heavy precipitation While Passing Temperature Pressure Precipitation Temperature dropping low point heavy continuous precipitation or showers As the storm intensifies, the cold front rotates around the storm and catches the warm front. This forms an occluded front After Passing Temperature Pressure Precipitation Very cold usually rising light-tomoderate precipitation After the front passes it leaves very cold temperatures
Where to find stationary fronts: Stationary fronts are difficult to find without multiple days of data. They are often found near the East or West coast. Let s assume that s where one is. A stationary front may stay put for days. If the wind direction changes the front will start moving again, becoming either a cold or warm front. Or the front may break apart. What weather to expect at a HIGH pressure system
Current Weather CURRENT map that includes colored warm/cold/stationary fronts with descriptions of weather at each of the fronts. ** You don t need to include an occluded front on current map
Weather forecast FORCASTED map of the next day based on your predictions that includes colored warm/cold/stationary/occluded fronts with descriptions of weather at each of the fronts
Isotherm Current isotherm map with correctly identified cold and warm air masses
Isobars Current isobar map with correctly identified high and low pressure systems and the windiest part of the states.
Outline/Rough draft of your weather report. Look at your weather maps to write. 1. Fun/interesting introduction 2. Locations of the highest and lowest temperatures in the country. Use city names. 3. Location of the windiest part of the country. Use city name. 4. Locations of high and low pressure systems. Use city names. 5. Location of at least one cold, warm, occluded and stationary front. Use names of states or regions. 6. At least three descriptions of current weather related to the location of the warm/cold/stationary/occluded fronts. Use specific cities for each. 7. Forecast of next day s weather. You must include the correct new location of the warm/cold/stationary/occluded fronts at least three descriptions of current weather related to the new locations of the fronts. Use specific cities for each. 8. A report of current Arizona weather describing the highest and lowest temperatures, windiest city and any interesting weather. 9. Fun/interesting closure!
Final Weather Report: Name
Local Weather report: To find data go to http://www.weather.gov/ ***To convert barometric pressure from In to Millibars, go to http://www.csgnetwork.com/pressinmbcvt.html Complete the weather station Data for Arizona City Phoenix Temp (F) Dew point Wind Speed Direction Cloud cover (estimate a %) Barometric Pressure (in) *Barometric Pressure In Millibars Precipitation Visibility Casa Grande Page Flagstaff Tucson Lake Havasu Optional choose a different state. Choose 6 cities that are spread out a bit. (Ask me to print out a map) City Temp (F) Dew point Wind Speed Direction Cloud cover (estimate a %) Barometric Pressure (in) *Barometric Pressure In Millibars Precipitation Visibility Next to each city, draw out an accurate station model. You will use this data in your weather forecast.