Station Models Lab

Station Models Lab

All the weather data

Background

The reporting of present weather conditions and the forecasting of future weather is the combined effort of thousands of weather stations throughout the world. More than 600 stations exist in the United States alone. These stations report their weather variables to the National Weather Service. This weather information is computerized, analyzed and plotted on weather maps. Weather maps can then help to forecast changes in the weather. Symbols and numbers are placed on the weather maps to represent the atmospheric variables at a particular place and time.

Background

The challenge is that a large amount of data needs to be communicated to for weather station in the US. Because of the lack of space on weather maps, the weather information needs to be coded. In order to do this the information needs to be highly organized and standard throughout country. By using station models the data can be represented by a symbol or number, and its meaning is easily understood by where the symbol or number is placed on the station model. 

Through this lab you will learn to understand station models used in meteorology by coding and decoding a variety of stations.

Part 1 - Reading Station Models

Use the information on the next three slides to help you interpret the station models

Don't forget that you can go back to view large images of each model, and hovering over the small image on each slide will enlarge it

Decoding Barometric Pressure

When decoding air pressure on a station model, use the following rule:

If the air pressure on the station model is 500 or more:

Place a 9 in front of this number Place a decimal point in front of the last number EX: 588= 958 .8 millibars

If the air pressure number on the station model is less than 500:

Add a 10 in front of the number. Put a decimal point in front of the last number EX: 091=1009.1 millibars

Station 1

Fill in the Blanks

What is the temperature in degree Fahrenheit?

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What is the dewpoint in degrees Fahrenheit?

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What is the visibility in miles?

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What is the present weather?

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What is the cloud cover %?

- The answer should be a number

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What is the wind direction?

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What is the wind speed?

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What is the barometric pressure?

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How much precipitation has fallen in the last 6 hours?

Station 2

Fill in the Blanks

What is the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the dewpoint in degrees Fahrenheit?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the visibility in miles?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the present weather?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the cloud cover %?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the wind direction?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the wind speed?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the barometric pressure?

Station 3

Fill in the Blanks

What is the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the dewpoint in degrees Fahrenheit?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the visibility in miles?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the present weather?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the cloud cover %?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the wind direction?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the wind speed?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the barometric pressure?

Station 4

Notice that this station model does not have a wind direction or speed. When this occur we say the wind is calm

Fill in the Blanks

What is the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the dewpoint in degrees Fahrenheit?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the visibility in miles?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the present weather?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the cloud cover %?

Fill in the Blanks

What is the barometric pressure?

Part 2

Regents Connections

Some information to remember

• The closer the air temperature and dew point, the more likely the possibility of precipitation

• The type of precipitation is dependent on the temperature

• The pressure has to be decoded

Multiple Choice

On which station model would the present weather symbol * most likely be found?

Multiple Choice

Which station model shows the correct form for indicating a northwest wind at 25 knots and an air pressure of 1023.7 mb?

Multiple Choice

Various weather conditions at LaGuardia Airport in New York City are shown on the station model.

What were the barometric pressure and weather conditions at the airport at the time of the observation?

• 914.6 mb of pressure and smog

• 914.6 mb of pressure and a clear sky

• 1014.6 mb of pressure and smog

• 1014.6 mb of pressure and a clear sky

Multiple Choice

Which weather-station model shows an air pressure of 993.4 millibars?

Multiple Choice

The diagrams represent station models showing weather data collected at four different times during one day at a location in the

United States.

Refer to Figure 2 and answer the following Question:

At what time was the probability of precipitation greatest at this location?

• 1 p.m.

• 10 a.m.

• 7 a.m.

• 4 p.m.