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Junior Cert
1. Gathering Information
Every day meteorological measurements (pressure, wind, temperature and
humidity among others) are made at hundreds of locations around the world.
These observations are plotted on maps that are interpreted in terms of
weather (for example fronts, precipitation and clouds).
2. Isobars and Weather Systems
Isobars are lines of equal pressure and they indicate the weight of the
atmosphere above any point along that line.
3. Fronts and Cyclones
Large areas of the earth's surface have the same 'type' of air (e.g. temperature
and humidity) sitting over them. These bodies of similar air are called
air masses. Fronts on a weather map separate different types of air.
4. Analysing Weather Maps
We look at a series of different maps and images of the storm that caused
flooding in southern and eastern areas on November 6, 2000.
5. Satellite Images
The position of the LOW is clearly shown by the swirl of cloud centred
over northern France. You can see the cold front clearly as a curving
line of cloud that is now located in southern Spain.
6. Radar Images
A radar works by emitting and receiving radio waves. As the instrument
emits a beam in all directions and then receives the 'echo' or beam that
is reflected off objects that block its path.
7. Synoptic Images
Our last piece of information corresponds in time to the synoptic map.
This map shows the actual station reports from which the synoptic map
was compiled.
8. A Met Eireann Weather Forecast
An actual weather forecast from a newspaper is reproduced.
