A weather map is a kind of map that is used for quick display of information and analyzing different meteorological conditions at varied levels of the atmosphere. The weather maps utilize isotherms, isotach, isobars and streamlines to locate particular regions, to show areas of high pressure, low pressure, freezing points, icing, temperature and turbulence and to depict wind patterns and et cetera. Weather maps are used to portray the atmospheric variations within a particular time.

Weather Analysis

Weather maps are analyzed in the following ways-

• Isobaric analysis – In isobaric analysis, isobars and lines of equal mean sea level pressure are drawn on a geographic map.
• Isotach analysis – I\sotachs analysis involves the use of lines of equal wind speed on weather maps and is useful in ascertaining maxima and minima in the pattern of the wind.
• Isotherm analysis – Sometimes in weather maps isotherms are drawn for denoting places with equal temperature. Isotherms are also used to show areas that lie above and below the freezing points.
• Streamline analysis – In streamline analysis, wind motion within a particular geographic area is denoted by a string of arrows.

Types of weather maps

• Surface weather analysis – The surface weather analysis is a kind of weather map that shows the high and low pressure belts consisting of tropical cyclones. Varied forms of synoptic scale systems such as tropical waves, frontal zones and dry lines are also shown in this type of weather map.

• Aviation maps – There are particular type of weather maps available for aviation purposes and are known as aviation maps. These kinds of maps depict where VFR (visual flight rules) and IFR (instrument flight rules) prevail. The cloud cover, ceiling height in hundreds of feet and the current weather are shown in the weather maps.

Icing maps are a part of aviation maps that show the regions that are dangerous or unfavorable for flying due to icing. Aviation weather maps also depict the turbulence areas.