EAS 380 Assignments 5-6 Plotting map: 06Z 14-Feb-2008

Using the data from 06Z 14-Feb-2008 , do the following:

    Assignment 5: PLOTTING (Plotting Due: Monday, 16 November 2009 3 PM at department office)

    1. Do all plotting in black or blue ink. Plot all stations that have a report between 0545Z and 0605Z 14 February.
    2. 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.
    3. Properly locate stations without station circles using latitude and longitude from the station list.
    4. Note the following station changes since the base map was printed:
      • KMBG can be plotted on the circle for Y26.
      • KSBM can be plotted on the circle for 21C
      • KSUE can be plotted on the circle for 0Y2..
    5. 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.
    6. Plot the sky cover according to the CLR, FEW, SCT, BKN, and OVC convention as shown in class.
    7. 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).
    8. Plot the visibility in miles (and fraction, if given).
    9. 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.
    10. Plot the altimeter setting (converted to millibars) in proper code as the pressure since all stations report this parameter.
    11. 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.
    12. Plot 3-hour or 6-hour precip. group to lower right of station model in inches ("60000" is a trace).
    13. Plot significant comments (1-hour precip., type of automated system, variable visibility or ceiling, time of precipitation start and end, etc.)

    When you are done with the plotting, make a copy of your map and turn it in at the start of class Monday 16-November-2009

    Assignment 6: Analysis and Fronts (Analysis Due: Monday, 23 November 2009)

  1. ANALYSIS

    1. When your map is complete, make a copy of your map. On that copy, plot isotherms (solid) for every even value of temperature in degrees Celsius. Label all isotherms.
    2. On the same copy as the isotherms, draw isodrosotherms (dashed) for every even value of dew point temperatures in degrees Celsius. Label all isodrosotherms. Do not analyze off the edge of the map!
     
    1. 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.
        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

Finally, draw any fronts you can find on the map. Warm fronts should be shown with red barbs and cold fronts with blue barbs. Explain why you positioned the fronts where you did.

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Last updated: Thursday, November 5, 2009 2:21 PM