Weather at a particular location is like one piece of a jigsaw picture puzzle. Observations of atmospheric conditions at one place, just as a single puzzle piece, cannot reveal the whole picture. Weather systems that typically dominate local weather can stretch over areas thousands of kilometers in breadth. Only through the analysis of local observations made at many locations at the same time can these changing and moving systems be delineated. Weather maps permit (1) convenient reporting of numerous single-site observations, and (2) depiction of existing broad-scale "weather makers" resulting from analysis of the observational data.
Local observations are depicted on weather maps as numbers and symbols plotted in, on, and around circles drawn at each station location, forming a "station model". The station model on which DataStreme maps are based can by seen by clicking on the DataStreme Homepage "DataStreme Weather Map Symbols" . More details are provided in DataStreme Activity 2A and Tuesday's optional electronic Supplemental Summary Information .
Weather systems change over time while moving across the earth's surface. Studying recent and current weather maps allows us to follow the progress of weather systems. These maps provide valuable information to the weather forecaster who needs to know what the weather was and is in order to predict what the weather will be.
To be submitted on the lines for Tuesday on the Study Guide, Part B, Applications, Week 2 Chapter Progress Response Form, under section B. Daily Summary.