Reading a Weather Map

Now we will look at a series of different maps and images of the storm that caused flooding in southern and eastern areas on November 6, 2000.
The most important feature on this map is a circulation system situated over Brittany (4°E, 48°N). It is this system that is influencing much of the weather over Ireland. There are several links to be drawn between this map and the weather experienced:

This Low has a central pressure of 965mb and the isobars are closely spaced. As this system is south of Ireland we can expect strong easterly winds. Because we are close to the centre of the Low, we can expect rain. In fact, you can see that an occluded front is moving north and westward over Ireland. This front will bring intense rain.

This system is moving slowly toward the east (into the North Sea) and will eventually decay. Currently it is at its most intense. As it moves airflow over Ireland will become northerly and cold. This is effectively our first winter storm.