Question about shear maps..

[Fego]

I'm trying to learn how to read a shear map. Like in the image below, what the colored lines (yellow, etc) mean? ... Anybody?... Thanks!

[tailgater]

The contour yellow lines show the amount of shear in knots and the other pinkish colored lines show the direction of the shear. I find this one a little easier to read.
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/real- ... wg8sht.GIF

[Fego]

Thanks Tailgaters...

[SouthFloridawx]

Then contoured and dotted lines on the shear map just posted is not a measurement of current shear. Those are a measure of the Shear Tendency over the past 24 hours. I have confused this map as a prediction for what may continue to happen and that has gotten me into trouble.

It would however do you well even though it may seem confusing to try to use the Wind Shear map. Of course at the top of the screen after you can see that you able to switch between the two...

http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/real- ... g8shr.html

[tailgater]

The chart I posted earlier shows both current wind shear and the tendency over the past 24hrs. for forecast I usally use one of these, but I'm sure there are many others.
http://moe.met.fsu.edu/tcgengifs/gfs/20 ... shear0.png
or
http://www.wunderground.com/data/640x480/atlm_shear.gif