Weather Maps and Synoptic Charts

Practical Work in Geography
WEATHER MAPS AND CHARTS
Weather Maps: A weather map is the representation of weather

114 phenomena of the earth or a part of it on a flat surface. It depicts conditions
associated with different weather elements such as temperature, rainfall,
sunshine and cloudiness, direction and velocity of winds, etc. on a
particular day. Such observations being taken at fixed hours are
transmitted by code to the forecasting stations. The central office keeps a
record of the observations, which forms the basis for making a weather
map. The upper air observations which are procured from hill stations,
aeroplanes, pilot balloons, etc. are plotted separately. Since the inception
of the Indian Meteorological Department, the weather maps and charts
are prepared regularly.
Meteorological observatories transmit the data to the Central
Observatory at Pune twice a day. Data is also collected on ships plying
on the Indian seas. A good progress has been made in the field of weather
forecasting and observation with the establishment of weather
observatories in Antarctica, the International Indian Ocean Expedition,
and the launching of rockets and weather satellites.
Weather Charts: The data received from various weather observatories

are in plenty and detailed. As such, they cannot be incorporated in one
single chart unless the coding designed to give the economy of expression
is used. These are called synoptic weather charts and the codes used
are called meteorological symbols. Weather charts provide the primary
tools for weather forecasting. They help in locating and identifying different
air masses, pressure systems, fronts and areas of precipitation.
WEATHER SYMBOLS
The messages received from all the observatories are plotted on the map
using weather symbols standardised by the World Meteorological
Organisation and the National Weather Bureaus. (Figures 8.8 and 8.9)
To facilitate the interpretation of the plots, each element occupies a fixed
position to the station circle as given in Figures 8.8 and 8.9.
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Weather Instruments, Maps and Charts
Figure 8.8 Meteorological Symbols (Approved by the International

Meteorological Organisation, Warsaw, 1935)
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Beaufort No. Wind Arrow Speed Common effects
km/hr
0 Calm 0 Calm, Smoke rise vertically.
1 Light air 1-5 Direction of wind shown by smoke drift, but not
wind vanes.
2 Light breeze 6-11 Wind felt on face; leaves rustle; ordinary vane
move by winds.
3 Gentle breeze 12-19 Leaves and small twigs in constant motion, wind
extends light flag.
4 Moderate breeze 20-28 Raises dust and loose papers, small branches
are moved.
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5 Fresh breeze 29-38 Small tree in leaf begin to sway, crested wavelets
from an inland waters.
6 Strong breeze 39-49 Large branches in motion; whistling heard in
telegraph wires umbrellas used with diffiuclty.
Whole tree in motion, inconvenience felt when
7 Moderate gale 50-61 walking against wind.
Breaks twigs off trees; generally impedes
8 Fresh gale 62-74 progress.
Figure 8.9 Wind Speed and Common Effects

Slight structural damage occurs (chimney pots
9 Strong gale 75-88 and slates removed.)
Seldom experienced inland; trees uprooted,
10 Whole gale 89-102 considerable structural damage occurs.
Very rarely experienced, accompanied by
11 Storm 103-117 widespread damage.
Most destructive.
12 Hurricane 118 plus
Mapping the Climatic Data

Much of the climatic data is represented by line symbols. The most
common of these are the isometric lines. These lines are depicted on the
map as isopleths. The Isopleth can be interpolated for places having the
same mean values of temperature, rainfall, pressure, sunshine, clouds,
etc. Some of these lines and their uses are mentioned below:
Isobars : Lines connecting places of equal air pressure.
Isotherms : Lines connecting places of equal temperature.
Isohyets : Lines connecting places of equal amount of rainfall over a
given period of time.
Isohels : Lines connecting places of same mean daily duration of
sunshine.
Isonephs : Lines connecting places of same mean value of cloud cover.
Weather Map Interpretation

On the basis of the above information, we can analyse a weather map and
understand the general pattern of weather conditions prevailing in different
parts of the country. In Fig. 8.10 the general weather conditions prevailing
in India during the month of May are plotted. There is a general increase
of pressure towards the north and north-east. Two low-pressure centres
can be identified with one over Rajasthan and the other over the Bay of
Bengal. The low pressure centre is well developed over the Bay of Bengal
marked by concentric isobars, with the lowest air pressure being 996
mb. The southern part of India has overcast skies. The central part of
India, on the other hand, has generally clear skies. In the southern part
of the eastern coast, the winds are mostly from the land to the sea, flowing
in an anti-clockwise direction. Also, read Fig. 8.12 and find out the
temperature and pressure conditions in July.
In Figures 8.11 and 8.13, the general weather conditions during
winters in the month of January are plotted. There is a general increase of
pressure towards the north from south. Most of the country has clear
skies with a high-pressure region developing to the eastern side of India.
The highest pressure isobar of 1018 mb passes through Rajasthan.
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Figure 8.10 Indian Weather Map (for the month of May)
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Figure 8.11 Indian Weather Map (for the month of January)
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Figure 8.12 India - Mean Pressure and Temperature (January)
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Figure 8.13 Mean Pressure and Temperature (July)
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Practical Work in Geography

WEATHER MAPS AND CHARTS

Weather Maps: A weather map is the representation of weather

Weather Charts: The data received from various weather observatories

Figure 8.8 Meteorological Symbols (Approved by the International

Figure 8.9 Wind Speed and Common Effects

Mapping the Climatic Data

Weather Map Interpretation

Figure 8.10 Indian Weather Map (for the month of May)

Figure 8.11 Indian Weather Map (for the month of January)

Figure 8.12 India - Mean Pressure and Temperature (January)

Figure 8.13 Mean Pressure and Temperature (July)

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