Synoptic and Prognostic charts
Instructions
1.Describe the use of Synoptic and Prognostic charts and forecasts from identified charts.
Prognostic charts are computer generated forecast showing the expected pressure pattern at a specific
future time. Synoptic weather maps describe the state of the atmosphere over a large area at a given
moment.
2.Identify other information given in wave and ice charts including:
-weather signs and symbols
Terminology and Weather Symbols
Graphical Products Legend
Standard Text Abbreviations
DCRSG = Decreasing
DVLPG = Developing
DSIPT = Dissipate
DSIPTG = Dissipating
FRZG SPRY = Freezing Spray
G = Gusts
HURCN = Hurricane
INCRSG = Increasing
ITCZ = Intertropical Convergence Zone
KT = Knots
MB = Millibars
MONSOON TROF = Monsoon Trough
MOVG = Moving
OUTFLOW BNDRY = Outflow Boundary
PRES = Pressure
Q-STNRY = Quasi-Stationary or Near Stationary
RPDLY INTSFYG = Rapidly Intensifying
STNRY = Stationary
STYPH = Super Typhoon
TRPCL STORM (TS) = Tropical Storm
TRPCL WAVE = Tropical Wave
TROF = Trough
WKNG = Weakening
Fronts
Cold Front
The leading edge of a relatively colder air mass which separates two air masses in which the gradients of
temperature and moisture are maximized. In the northern hemisphere winds ahead of the front will be
southwest and shift into the northwest with frontal passage.
Frontogenesis
The formation of a front occurs when two adjacent air masses with different densities and temperatures
meet and strengthen the discontinuity between the air masses. It occurs most frequently over
continental land areas such as over the Eastern US when the air mass moves out over the ocean. It is the
opposite of frontolysis.
Frontolysis
The weakening or dissipation of a front occurs when two adjacent air masses lose contrasting properties
such as the density and temperature. It is the opposite of frontogenesis.
Occluded Front
The union of two fronts, formed as a cold front overtakes a warm front or quasi-stationary front refers
to a cold front occlusion. When a warm front overtakes a cold front or quasi-stationary front the process
is termed a warm front occlusion. These processes lead to the dissipation of the front in which there is
no gradient in temperature and moisture.
Ridge
An elongated area of relatively high pressure that is typically associated with a anti-cyclonic wind shift.
Stationary Front
A front that has not moved appreciably from its previous analyzed position.
Trough (Trof)
An elongated area of relatively low pressure that is typically associated with a cyclonic wind shift.
Warm Front
The leading edge of a relatively warmer surface air mass which separates two distinctly different air
masses. The gradients of temperature and moisture are maximized in the frontal zone. Ahead of a
typical warm front in the northern hemisphere, winds are from the southeast and behind the front
winds will shift to the southwest.
Low & High Pressure Systems and Miscellaneous Key Terms
Low pressure with a number such as 99 means 999 mb and with 03 means 1003 mb.
High pressure with a number such as 25 means 1025 mb.
Extratropical Low
A low pressure center which refers to a migratory frontal cyclone of center and higher latitudes. Tropical
cyclones occasionally evolve into extratropical lows losing tropical characteristics and become
associated with frontal discontinuity.
Low Pressure
An area of low pressure identified with counterclockwise circulation in the northern hemisphere and
clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Also, defined as a cyclone.
High Pressure
An area of higher pressure identified with a clockwise circulation in the northern hemisphere and a
counterclockwise circulation in the southern hemisphere. Also, defined as an anticyclone.
3. What is the composition of synoptic chart and the Prognostic chart.
A synoptic chart is any map that summarises atmospheric conditions (temperature , precipitation , wind
speed and direction, atmospheric pressure and cloud coverage) over a wide area at a given time and A
prognostic chart is a map displaying the likely weather forecast for a future time.
