Weather maps show what kind of weather is in an area.

They can show a large area or a specific

location. Some show the whole country. Here is an example of a weather map:

Weather maps contain symbols. A symbol is a picture or mark that stands for something else. Some
of the symbols are very clear. For example the little picture of the sun means that the area is having
sunny weather. A picture of clouds and rain shows that the area is having clouds and rain.

But there are other symbols that arent so clear. For example:

Front Symbol Air Mass Weather

Warm Warm Brings slow-moving steady,
light rain
Cold Cold Fast moving, very heavy
showers
Stationary Warm and Cold Clear to partly cloudy with
touch, but dont little or no rain
move
Occluded Warm air trapped Heavy rains that last for a long
between two cold time
fronts

The half-circles and triangles on the front symbols show how the front moves. For cold fronts, think
of the triangles as arrows that show the direction the front is moving.

Warm front symbols are similar. The air moves in the direction the half-circles point. Stationary
fronts do not move, so they are shown pointing in two directions.

Cold fronts move quickly. Warm fronts move more slowly. Stationary fronts do not move much
at all. Stationary means unmoving, after all. Occluded fronts can move quickly, too, but their
weather patterns can last for days.
Check for Understanding:

1. Identify two areas that can expect heavy rain showers .

____________________ and ____________________

2. What do you base your prediction on?

I think it will rain in ________________ and

_______________ because ___________________
_____________________________________________
____________________________________________.

3. Identify two areas that will be experiencing very light, but long-lasting rain.

It will rain for a long time in

______________________ and ____________________.
4. Circle the weather symbol below that helped you make this prediction?

5. Identify one area that will be experiencing clear skies and little to no rain. Explain why.

One area that will have clear skies and no

rain is ________________ because ______________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________.