Weather Map Resources - Activity

Hi Class!  This is a weather map activity that will take us a few days to complete.  Grab your journals as you explore the world of weather, maps, symbols and predictions.  Explore each section and write down your answers for each letter.  Record your responses in your journal.  Feel free to post a comment and tell me your favorite part.

WEATHER MAP RESOURCES

1. Satellite maps
MAP:United States satellite picture (http://www.usatoday.com/weather/satpic/wsatusa.htm)
BACKGROUND:Satellites give bird's-eye view of clouds

1. What do satellite images show? Why is this information important?

B.     How do we get satellite images? How do satellites travel?

C.     What can meteorologists learn by the shade of the clouds on a satellite image?

2. Radar maps
MAP:North America Radar Image (http://www.intellicast.com/National/Radar/Current.aspx)
BACKGROUND:Understanding weather radar

1. What does radar show?

B.     How do you use the map key on a radar map?

C.     How do we get radar images?

D.     What are some of the limitations of radar maps?

3. Precipitation maps
MAP:Precipitation (http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wrain.htm)

BACKGROUND:Precipitation: hail, rain, freezing rain, sleet and snowPrecipitation definitions

1. What is precipitation?

B.     What are some examples of precipitation?

C.     Define the different types of precipitation on the map.

D.     What causes different types of precipitation?

4. Temperature maps
MAPS:North America Temperature Forecast (http://weather.cnn.com/weather/forecast.jsp)U.S. Current Temperatures
BACKGROUND:More to temperature than you might think

1. What is temperature? (For the clearest definition, see the “Weather terms” chart in the background article.)

B.     What are the two most important factors in temperature?

C.     Why is it usually cooler at night?

D.     Why does temperature change during the seasons?

5. Wind-speed maps
MAP:Current Winds (http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/currentweatherusnational/uscurrentwindsgusts_large.html)
BACKGROUND:Pressure differences give wind its push

1. Explain the main cause of winds.

B.     Why are some winds stronger than others?

C.     How does wind affect the weather?

D.     How are winds named?

6. Front maps
MAP:Current Surface (http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/currentweatherusnational/index_large.html)

BACKGROUND:This morning's storms, fronts map

1. What is a low-pressure system? What is a high-pressure system? What kind of weather does each typically bring?

B.     What is a cold front? What is a warm front? What types of weather does each typically bring?

C.     Explain how the map key shows each of the terms above.