Help reading maps

[MississippiHurricane]

I'm trying to learn how to read maps like 950MB 500MB ect that have to do with height and ridges. Is there a site that is like "reading and understanding weather maps for dummies" kinda thing? I am just sooooooooooo lost on the whole thing.

[brunota2003]

If so, I want to know as well. Thanks!

[wjs3]

I don't know if this will start in helping you guys. It covers contouring, etc and gets into some of the highs, lows, etc. It doesn't cover constant pressure maps (like the 500MB one you mention), but take the time to go through it and it covers some good basics.

It's one of the first modules in an online meteorology program offered through Penn State.

https://courseware.e-education.psu.edu/ ... n2p01.html

I'll look around for some other resources in the meantime.

WJS3

[wjs3]

Also try this:

http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/maps/home.rxml

If you read through the maps section, then go to the section on upper air, it talks some about geopotential heights and the constant pressure maps.

Take a look. Hope this helps.

WJS3

[wjs3]

Sorry, one more and then I'll be quiet:

http://www.esf.edu/erfeg/endreny/course ... orces6.pdf

[MississippiHurricane]

wow! Thanks for the help! I want to learn all that I can about weather from the beginning.........reading making and interpeting maps and other weather features such has how highs form and how weather patterns form in every detail.

[MississippiHurricane]

Now another question..........is there a computer program I can download use to make weather maps, graphs, isotherms........that kinda stuff? I can learn better my "doing"

[Ptarmigan]

Thanks for the links Wjs3!

[wjs3]

Sure thing!

Misshurricane, I know software like thaqt exists, but I don't own any. Others may be able to help more.

I usually find that I can root out any chart I want somewhere on the web.

By the way, if you just want simple isoplething exercises, I believe that Penn State example has one.

WJS3

[wxmann_91]

Two words: Haby Hints.

[Cyclenall]

I was also looking for this type of material on the Internet. Thanks for all the links.