METEO 3 Lesson 1 Images
Lesson 1: A Meteorologist's Toolbox
What do Meteorologists Study?
The Composition of our Atmosphere
high-resolution view of Earth and its atmosphere

Text description of the high-resolution view of Earth and its atmosphere image.
The image shows a partial view of Earth from space, focusing on the curve of the planet's surface against the dark backdrop of space. The Earth appears predominantly blue with various white cloud formations. The atmosphere is visible as a thin, faint line along the curvature, separating the surface from space.
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
world time zones

Text description of the world time zones image.
The image is a world map illustrating the standard time zones. The map employs a cylindrical projection, featuring a variety of colors to distinguish between countries and their respective time zones. Countries are outlined with black borders, and time zones are marked with vertical red lines that extend across the map from top to bottom. Each time zone is labeled with a corresponding UTC offset. Oceans are labeled in blue, while continents and countries are outlined in green, yellow, and brown hues. Major countries such as the United States, Canada, Russia, China, and Australia span across multiple time zones. A key in the bottom-left corner provides the scale of the map. Notable geographic features such as seas are labeled, and several island groups are included.
Larger image of time zone map

Text description of the larger image of time zone map image.
The image is a map displaying various time zones across the North and South American continents, parts of Europe, and the surrounding Atlantic Ocean. Each time zone is marked with a label starting from "UTC-10" to "UTC+1". The map is color-coded with different shades of green for land and light blue for the ocean, helping to delineate the borders of each time zone. Major countries and regions such as the U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, and Brazil are highlighted with internal borders shown. The top of the map includes a time scale ranging from 0600 to 1600, with a red-marked 1500. The boundaries between time zones are shown as vertical lines running north to south across the map.
The Station Model: Part I
heavy, "pea-soup" fog

Text description of the heavy, "pea-soup" fog image.
The image depicts the Golden Gate Bridge extending from the left foreground into a dense fog, which obscures much of the structure. The bridge's distinct red-orange color contrasts starkly with the pale, foggy surroundings. Several vertical suspension cables are visible, and a few lamp posts and vehicles are seen on the bridge. The fog gradually thickens, making the far end of the bridge indistinguishable. The overcast sky blends into the fog, creating a soft and muted atmosphere.
fierce blowing and/or falling snow

Text description of the fierce blowing and/or falling snow image.
The image depicts a snowy landscape during a heavy snowstorm, creating a blurred, monochromatic scene dominated by gray and white tones. A road, barely visible under a thick layer of snow, leads through the center of the image. On the left side, partially obscured by falling snow, a few leafless trees stand with bare branches. A mailbox in the foreground emerges from a snowbank, slightly titled to the side. Snow has piled up on the ground, covering the entire visible area. Two faint red taillights can be seen in the distance, suggesting the presence of a vehicle further down the road. The visibility is significantly reduced due to the dense snowfall.
blowing sand/dust

Text description of the blowing sand/dust image.
The image portrays three soldiers walking through a thick, dusty haze in what appears to be a desert environment. The visibility is significantly reduced due to the dense sandstorm, giving the scene a monochromatic, sepia-toned palette. The soldiers are dressed in full military gear, including helmets and goggles, and carry rifles. The ground is covered with small rocks and sand, and the far background is indistinct due to the swirling dust. The atmosphere conveys a sense of harsh environmental conditions and the perseverance of the soldiers as they move forward despite the storm.
smoke

Text description of the smoke image.
The image shows a hazy mountain landscape. In the foreground, there's a rocky slope with sparse vegetation. The middle ground features a row of jagged mountain peaks, partially covered in snow, creating a stark contrast against the hazy sky. The mountains recede into the background, becoming more obscured by the light-colored smoke or mist hanging in the air. The entire scene is bathed in a soft, muted light, giving the landscape a subdued appearance.
The Station Model: Part II
BINOVC

Text description of the BINOVC image.
The image showcases an expansive sky filled with thick, gray clouds that cover most of the scene. The cloud cover varies slightly in density, allowing some muted sunlight to filter through, creating a soft gradient of light and shadow. Below the cloudy sky, a flat urban landscape is visible, featuring several indistinct, low-lying buildings and structures. The scene conveys a typical overcast day, with the vast, cloud-laden sky dominating the composition while the cityscape forms a narrow band at the bottom.
Few

Text description of the Few image.
The image depicts a vast open field under a clear blue sky. The sun is bright, positioned near the top edge of the image, casting a lens flare with several circular light artifacts descending vertically. The field is lush with green grass, and a line of short wooden posts borders the edge closest to the camera. Across the horizon, there is a row of trees with dense foliage. The sky is mostly clear with a few, small white clouds, adding texture to the otherwise empty expanse.
Scattered

Text description of the Scattered image.
The image depicts a blue sky with scattered, wispy clouds stretching across the upper left section. The clouds are sparse and slightly elongated, indicative of a fine weather day. In the lower right corner, a silhouette of foliage is visible, consisting of leaves and branches that are backlit by the sun, which is just out of frame, creating a bright halo. Below the foliage, a roof and a utility pole are faintly visible, adding a sense of depth and context to the scene.
Partly Cloudy or Partly Sunny

Text description of the Partly Cloudy or Partly Sunny image.
The image shows a sky filled with a pattern of thin, wispy clouds forming parallel lines across the scene. These high-altitude cirrocumulus clouds create a textured effect against the pale blue background of the sky. In the lower left corner, tree branches with sparse, green leaves intrude slightly into the frame, adding a touch of natural color contrast to the scene dominated by the sky.
Mostly Cloudy

Text description of the Mostly Cloudy image.
The image depicts a vast sky filled with soft, fluffy clouds, primarily in shades of gray and light pink, suggesting a sunrise or sunset scene. The clouds are dispersed throughout the sky, creating a textured layer beneath which a faint horizon line is visible. Below the horizon, a distant landscape with dark, indistinct foliage and a few scattered structures spans across the bottom of the image.
standard compass angles

Text description of the standard compass angles image.
The image shows a detailed compass rose on a beige background, featuring cardinal and intercardinal directions. The compass rose is centered with a black, eight-pointed star, where each point signifies a primary or intermediate direction. Surrounding the star is a circular degree scale from 0° to 360°, marked in increments of 30°. Between the compass points, colorful abstract snakes weave through the compass, adding a vibrant element to the design. The snakes are mainly purple, orange, and green, with playful patterns and curves.
1828Z map of station models

Text description of the 1828Z map of station models image.
The image is a weather map displaying surface station model data across a region in the United States as of 1828 UTC on May 16, 2017. The map features a beige background with state boundaries outlined in black. Weather stations are indicated with small circles and associated data. Each station circle is connected to a wind barb showing wind direction and speed. Temperature and dew point values are listed alongside the stations. Two stations, notably KHVR and KGGW, reported calm winds and are highlighted with red squares
50-knot wind at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, early on August 27, 2011

Text description of the 50-knot wind at Cape Hatteras image.
The image is a weather map showing the location of Hurricane Irene. Concentric isobars are drawn in red, encircling the hurricane's center, with pressure values decreasing inward. The central pressure is marked at 952 hPa. Weather data points are scattered across the map, marked by circles with numbers indicating atmospheric conditions like temperature and pressure. A thick black line extends from the center of the hurricane towards the southwest, leading to a bold text label at the bottom. A rectangular box highlights a 50-knot wind observation at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
couple of parts of the station model dealing with air pressure

Text description of the couple of parts of the station model dealing with air pressure image.
The image displays a weather station model diagram used to represent various meteorological data. At the center, there is a circle, 3/4 filled in black, indicating cloud cover. Surrounding the circle are different numbers and symbols. To the upper left is the number "52," representing temperature. Below it, the number "46" stands for dew point temperature. To the left of the circle, there is a notation "1 ½" accompanied by three small black dots, indicating current weather conditions. To the upper right, the box labeled "046" represents the sea-level pressure. Below this, the number "+23" with an upward trending line symbol represents the 3-hour pressure tendency. The entire diagram is labeled with blue colored annotations for clarification.
Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics
“normal value” of maximum, minimum, and (daily) average temperature

Text description of the “normal value” of maximum, minimum, and (daily) average temperature image.
The image is a climate report from the National Weather Service in Chicago, Illinois, dated February 15, 2012. It follows a typical report format with headings and tabular data. The main section provides the climatic summary for Chicago-O'Hare on February 14, 2012. The report details the climate normal period from 1981 to 2010 and the climate record period from 1871 to 2012. A table lists various weather items, including recorded temperatures in Fahrenheit for the previous day, February 14. Key columns in the table are titled "Observed Value (LST)," "Record Value," "Record Year," "Normal Value," and "Departure From Normal." Notably, the "Normal Value" column is highlighted with a red outline. Specific temperature details are given for maximum, minimum, and average temperatures, with corresponding historical data, norms, and deviations from these norms.
during the period from 1981 to 2010

Text description of the during the period from 1981 to 2010 image.
The image is a screenshot of a climate report from the National Weather Service in Chicago, IL. The document is typed in a monospaced font, resembling a text report printed on paper. It includes a section titled "CLIMATE REPORT" with the date and time of the report as "1236 AM CST WED FEB 15 2012". Below, it mentions "THE CHICAGO-OHARE CLIMATE SUMMARY FOR FEBRUARY 14 2012". Further down, two periods are highlighted, "CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010" in a red-bordered box, and "CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1871 TO 2012". The report lists weather items with observed values and comparisons to previous records and normals, specifically focusing on temperature in Fahrenheit for February 14, including maximum, minimum, and average temperatures.
”CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD“ in Chicago's climate report

Text description of the ”CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD“ in Chicago's climate report image.
The image is a section of a textual climate report from the National Weather Service in Chicago, Illinois. It is dated February 15, 2012, and provides a climate summary for Chicago-O'Hare for February 14, 2012. The text is black against a white background, with certain lines underlined, such as "CLIMATE NORMAL PERIOD 1981 TO 2010" and "CLIMATE RECORD PERIOD 1871 TO 2012," highlighting important data reference periods. The report is structured with headings and subheadings, with "WEATHER ITEM" followed by columns listing observed data, including temperature in Fahrenheit, maximum, minimum, and average values for the previous day. These values are accompanied by a record year and a comparison to normal values. Dotted lines separate sections of the report, and aligned numerical data creates a structured layout.
record high and record low for February 14 in Chicago

Text description of the record high and record low for February 14 in Chicago image.
The image displays a section of a climate report from the National Weather Service in Chicago, Illinois, dated February 15, 2012. The document includes a summary of climate data for Chicago-O'Hare on February 14, 2012. It features tables and text with information regarding climate periods, observed temperatures, and records. The report covers temperature data such as maximum and minimum values, along with corresponding years of records. The layout is structured into columns with labels like "Weather Item," "Observed Value," and "Record Year Value." The table prominently highlights record temperatures with a red box.
table of climatological data for State College, Pennsylvania from February, 2015

Text description of the table of climatological data for State College image and table of the information in the image.
The image is a table displaying climatological data for State College, PA for February 2015. It includes the date, maximum and minimum temperatures, average temperature, temperature departure, HDD (Heating Degree Days), CDD (Cooling Degree Days), precipitation, snowfall, and snow depth. Each row corresponds to a day of the month, while the last three rows show the sum, average, and normal values for these parameters.
Some notable details include February 8th, which shows a maximum temperature of 44 degrees, highlighted in red, and February 21st, with a minimum temperature of -8 degrees, highlighted in blue. The highest precipitation value is on February 2nd, with 0.63 inches, highlighted in green, and February 26th, showing a snowfall of 4.9 inches, also in green.
| Date | Max Temperature | Min Temperature | Avg Temperature | Avg Temperature Departure | HDD | CDD | Precipitation | Snowfall | Snow Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-02-01 | 26 | 12 | 19.0 | -8.7 | 46 | 0 | T | T | 9 |
| 2015-02-02 | 34 | 26 | 30.0 | 2.2 | 35 | 0 | 0.63 | 3.5 | 11 |
| 2015-02-03 | 35 | 9 | 22.0 | -5.9 | 43 | 0 | T | T | 10 |
| 2015-02-04 | 25 | 9 | 17.0 | -11.0 | 48 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.1 | 9 |
| 2015-02-05 | 43 | 20 | 31.5 | 3.4 | 33 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.1 | 8 |
| 2015-02-06 | 21 | 3 | 12.0 | -16.3 | 53 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.2 | 7 |
| 2015-02-07 | 30 | 5 | 17.5 | -10.9 | 47 | 0 | T | T | 7 |
| 2015-02-08 | 44 | 28 | 36.0 | 7.5 | 29 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.0 | 6 |
| 2015-02-09 | 42 | 32 | 37.0 | 8.4 | 28 | 0 | 0.08 | 0.0 | 6 |
| 2015-02-10 | 34 | 24 | 29.0 | 0.2 | 36 | 0 | 0.05 | 0.1 | 6 |
| 2015-02-11 | 29 | 19 | 24.0 | -4.9 | 41 | 0 | T | T | 6 |
| 2015-02-12 | 35 | 19 | 27.0 | -2.0 | 38 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.1 | 5 |
| 2015-02-13 | 30 | 4 | 17.0 | -12.2 | 48 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.1 | 5 |
| 2015-02-14 | 20 | 5 | 12.5 | -16.8 | 52 | 0 | T | T | 5 |
| 2015-02-15 | 27 | -3 | 12.0 | -17.5 | 53 | 0.09 | 2.0 | 6 | |
| 2015-02-16 | 6 | -7 | -0.5 | -30.2 | 65 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.0 | 6 |
| 2015-02-17 | 9 | -7 | 1.0 | -28.8 | 64 | 0 | 0.06 | 0.9 | 7 |
| 2015-02-18 | 22 | 5 | 13.5 | -16.5 | 51 | T | T | 7 | |
| 2015-02-19 | 25 | 4 | 14.5 | -15.7 | 50 | 0 | 0.06 | 1.2 | 7 |
| 2015-02-20 | 8 | -8 | 0.0 | -30.4 | 65 | 0 | T | T | 7 |
| 2015-02-21 | 13 | -7 | 3.0 | -27.6 | 62 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.0 | 7 |
| 2015-02-22 | 25 | 13 | 19.0 | -11.8 | 46 | 0 | 0.11 | 1.5 | 8 |
| 2015-02-23 | 33 | 13 | 23.0 | -8.0 | 42 | 0 | T | T | 6 |
| 2015-02-24 | 15 | -5 | 5.0 | -26.2 | 60 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 6 |
| 2015-02-25 | 23 | -4 | 9.5 | -21.9 | 55 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 6 |
| 2015-02-26 | 32 | 15 | 23.5 | -8.1 | 41 | 0 | T | T | 6 |
| 2015-02-27 | 26 | 11 | 18.5 | -13.4 | 46 | 0 | 0.15 | 4.9 | 11 |
| 2015-02-28 | 21 | 0 | 10.5 | -21.6 | 54 | 0 | T | T | 9 |
| Sum | 733 | 235 | 1331 | 0 | 1.28 | 14.7 | |||
| Average | 26.2 | 8.4 | 17.3 | -12.3 | 7.1 | ||||
| Normal | 37.5 | 21.7 | 29.6 | 991 | 0 | 2.53 | 11.0 |
Map Projections
map including station models near Alaska from 06Z on December 1, 2011

Text description of the map including station models near Alaska image.
The image is a weather surface analysis map depicting meteorological data Alaska and surrounding areas. The map includes contour lines known as isobars, drawn in brown, which indicate areas of equal atmospheric pressure. A low-pressure system is marked with an "L" and the pressure value of 994 is prominently labeled near the center. Various weather fronts, delineated by blue and red lines, are shown moving through the area. St. Paul Island is highlighted in a black box on the map with specific weather data including temperature and pressure readings. The map is dotted with numerous numerical data points indicating temperature, wind speed, and direction on station models. Thin black outlines represent landmasses, including parts of the coastline and islands. In the top right corner, there is a logo of a weather agency.
Making a Map out of a Mountain
topographical map

Text description of the topographical map image.
The image is a topographic map showcasing an area featuring both natural and man-made elements. The map displays a prominent central hill labeled "Nittany" in a light green color, with contour lines indicating elevation changes, demonstrating the topography of the area. To the left, a densely populated area is depicted with black squares and lines, representing roads and structures. The map is intersected by a blue wavy line labeled "Creek." The landscape includes different shades of green representing variations in land cover. Various labels such as "Reservoir," "Water Tank," and "Quarry" indicate infrastructure, while dashed lines and other symbols suggest additional terrain features. The overall map uses a palette of green, brown, black, and pink-red for distinctions. Key elevation points and other features are annotated across the map.
virtual fly-by of the Big Island (0:09)
Text description of the virtual fly-by of the Big Island (0:09)
The video is a virtual fly-by satellite view from Google Earth showing a mountainous island surrounded by expansive blue ocean waters. The island has a rugged, uneven terrain with visible peaks and valleys. Parts of the island are covered in green vegetation, while other areas have brown and rocky patches, especially on the mountain slopes. Snow is sparsely present on some parts of the mountains. In the background, additional smaller islands are visible. The horizon is a faint blue line separating the ocean from the sky.
Interpreting Contour Maps
colors are sometimes used on topographic maps

Text description of the colors are sometimes used on topographic maps image.
The image displays a colorful elevation map of an island, surrounded by a turquoise background. The island shape is irregular and features various shades of green, pink, purple, and blue, indicating different elevations. On the left side, there is a color bar that represents elevation levels, with meters and feet as units of measurement. The color gradient ranges from dark green for lower elevations to purple at the highest points. The map uses vivid color variations to depict topographical changes across the island.
point, "P," on the map, near Indianapolis, Indiana

Text description of the point, "P," on the map, near Indianapolis, Indiana image.
The image is a weather map of the United States depicting surface temperatures in Fahrenheit as of 15Z on Monday, May 1, 2017. The map features contour lines and color gradients to illustrate temperature variations across different regions. The northern states, especially around the Great Lakes, are shown in shades of green, indicating cooler temperatures ranging from 35°F to 50°F. The south-central United States shows warmer temperatures, illustrated in yellow and light green, ranging from 50°F to 65°F. The southern states, particularly along the Gulf Coast and the Southeast, are in orange and red shades, indicating warmer temperatures ranging from 70°F to 80°F. Temperatures increase from south to north. The map includes a color scale on the right for reference.
analysis of temperatures from 17Z on May 24, 2017

Text description of the analysis of temperatures from 17Z on May 24, 2017 image.
The image is a temperature map of the United States, showcasing the two-meter temperature in degrees Fahrenheit, dated 17Z May 24, 2017. The map uses a color gradient to display varying temperatures across the country. Cooler temperatures are shown in shades of blue in the north and central parts, transitioning to warmer temperatures depicted in oranges and reds in the southern and western regions. The legend at the bottom indicates the temperature range, moving from dark purple for the lowest temperatures to deep red for the highest. The map outlines state boundaries and provides temperature statistics: Average 66.5°F, Minimum 17.3°F, Maximum 103.5°F. On the right, there's a list of spatial area percentages correlated with specific temperature thresholds.
contour map of temperatures

Text description of the contour map of temperatures image.
The image is a color-coded weather map of the contiguous United States displaying surface temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit. The map uses a spectrum of colors to represent different temperature ranges: shades of purple indicate colder temperatures, while blues and greens depict warmer areas. The coldest regions are concentrated in the central northern states with temperatures below 0°F. Warmer regions are found in the southern states, reaching 60°F and above. Contour lines are used to delineate temperature zones. The letter "P" is marked near the central northern region, associated with colder air. A legend on the right specifies temperature values corresponding to the colors. The title at the top indicates the map's data corresponds to December 25, 2001.
second contour map of temperatures

Text description of the second contour map of temperatures image.
The image is a color-coded map of the United States displaying surface temperatures in Fahrenheit. It uses a range of colors from purple to red to signify different temperature zones. The northern regions are in shades of purple and blue, indicating cooler air ranging from 10°F to 35°F. As you move south, the colors shift through green and yellow, representing moderate temperatures from 40°F to 60°F. The southernmost areas are shaded in orange and red, showing higher temperatures of 70°F to 80°F. Contour lines labeled with temperature values cross the map, illustrating temperature gradients. A prominent "P" marker is located in the eastern United States. The map is labeled at the top with the surface temperature and the date, "17Z Wed Mar 25 2009." A color scale bar is present on the right indicating temperature values associated with the colors on the map.
contour map of sea-level pressure

Text description of the contour map of sea-level pressure image.
The image is a weather map of the United States illustrating sea level pressure in millibars (mb) on February 12, 2009, at 15Z. The map includes isobars, which are white contour lines representing areas of equal pressure. The western, central, and eastern sections of the map include several pressure systems labeled with "H" for high pressure and "L" for low pressure. Point P is labeled in Montana, while high and low pressure systems are distributed across the western and eastern U.S. Isobars are densely packed in the northeast and more spaced out in the west, indicating varying pressure gradients. The background is a brown map of the U.S. with state borders, set against a blue ocean backdrop. Small regions are shaded blue for lakes, and states are marked with major city locations.
Caution: Gradient Ahead
analysis of surface isotherms from 19Z on May 18, 2017

Text description of the analysis of surface isotherms from 19Z on May 18, 2017 image.
The image is a color-coded map of the United States displaying surface temperatures in Fahrenheit for a specific date and time. The map is divided by colored contour lines indicating temperature gradients. In the northwest, temperatures range from 30°F to 55°F, depicted in shades of blue and green. The central area of the country shows temperatures between 60°F and 75°F in varying shades of green and yellow. The southeastern region is marked with warmer temperatures ranging from 80°F to 90°F, shown in orange and red hues. The contrast between cool air in the northwest U.S. and hot air in the Southeast creates a large temperature gradient stretching from the Southwest U.S. to the Great Lakes. The contour lines are clearly marked and curve across the map to delineate temperature zones. Key temperature values, such as 50°F, 60°F, and 80°F, are prominently labeled. The information is dated "19Z Thursday, May 18, 2017," placed in the top right corner.
outlined in the black box

Text description of the outlined in the black box image.
The image is a surface temperature map of the United States, labeled with temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit. It uses color gradients and contour lines to indicate varying temperature zones across the country. The map shows cooler air in shades of green and blue in the north, particularly in Colorado and Wyoming, with temperatures as low as 30°F. In contrast, the southern regions, including Texas, Oklahoma, and the southeastern states, are in shades of red, indicating higher temperatures ranging from 85°F to 90°F. The central part of the country transitions through shades of yellow and orange, representing moderate temperatures around 60°F to 80°F. Contour lines are used to demarcate temperature boundaries. A black rectangle highlights an area on the map, located around the central United States.