EAS 380 Assignments 3-4
Plotting map: 14-Feb-2008 00Z

• Plotting Due: Thursday 24-September-2009
• Analysis Due: Thursday, 8-October-2009

Plotting Help:

• EAS 380 Surface Station Model Plotting Guide
• More METAR Decoding Help from Forecasting/Synoptic Handbook

Using the METAR data from 00Z 14-Feb-2008, do the following:

First, get a Northern Plains base map from Bob. You may trim off areas where there is no plotted data.

Assignment 3: PLOTTING (100 pts) (Plotting Due: Thursday 24-September-2009)

1. If there is more than one station in a metropolitan area, plot only the station that has the most information if all stations are reporting similar conditions. If not, plot the other stations.
2. Properly locate stations without station circles using latitude and longitude from the station list.
3. Note the following station changes since the base map was printed:
   • KMBG can be plotted on the circle for Y26.
   • KSPW can be plotted on the circle for 3SE
4. Plot the wind barb using a protractor for the proper direction. The wind feathers are always plotted on the clockwise side of the wind shaft. Include the 10’s digit of the wind direction and the wind gust. Do this first.
5. Plot the sky cover according to the CLR, FEW, SCT, BKN, and OVC convention as shown in class.
6. Plot the temperature and the dew point temperature in whole or decimal degrees Celsius (look for the "T" group in the remarks section of the observation).
7. Plot the visibility in miles (and fraction, if given).
8. Use your chart of the "100 types of weather" to plot the current weather. Be careful to account for precipitation intensity if rain, snow, or drizzle (RA, SN, or DZ) is reported.
• Plot UP as sleet
• Plot BR as light fog
Plot the altimeter setting (converted to millibars) in proper code as the pressure since all stations report this parameter.
9. Plot the 3-hour pressure change using the "5" indicator group in the remarks section as shown in class. The convention is: sign, pressure change (tenths of mb), tendency symbol.
10. Plot 3-hour or 6-hour precip. group to lower right of station model in inches (note that METAR code "60000" is a trace and is plotted as "T").
11. Plot significant comments (1-hour precip., type of automated system, variable visibility or ceiling, time of precipitation start and end, etc.)
12. Plot cloud symbols in proper place when given

When you are done with the plotting, make a copy of your map and turn it in (no later than Thursday 24-September-2009 at the start of class)

Assignment 4: Analysis and Fronts (Analysis Due: Thursday, 8-October-2009)

1. ANALYSIS (100 pts)

   1. When your map is complete, make a single copy of your map. On it, draw isotherms (solid) for every even value in degrees Celsius. Label all isotherms.
   2. On the same copy as the one which you analyzed isotherms, draw isodrosotherms (dashed) for every even value in degrees Celsius. Label all isodrosotherms. Do not analyze off the edge of the map!
   3. You may put the contours in different colors, but supply a legend.

    

   4. On the original map:
      1. Draw in black pencil (solid line) isobars for every pressure value divisible by 4 (i.e., 996, 1000, 1004 mb). (Hint: how would these values appear in the pressure plotting code?).
      2. Label each isobar with its actual value in whole millibars.
      3. If there is an area of low pressure, draw a red L and label with the central pressure value.
      4. If there is an area of high pressure, draw a blue H and label with the central pressure value. Do not draw centers on the edges of the map.
      5. Also, draw in the isallobars (constant pressure change) as follows:
         1. Rises every 1 mb/3 hr in dashed blue colored pencil.
         2. Falls every 1 mb/3 hr in dashed red colored pencil.
         3. The "zero" isallobar in dashed black colored pencil. (This is not standard pencil!)
         4. Label all values.
      6. Draw a red F in the center of the maximum pressure falls and a blue R in the center of the maximum pressure rises. Do not draw centers on the edges of the map!
2. FRONTS (50 pts)