1. The Weather

2. Atmospheric pressure on maps is measured at sea level
The Isobars
Those plain lines that curve across the map are called isobars (iso = equal, bar = pressure). They join together places of equal atmospheric pressure. Some have numbers on them showing this value in hectoPascals.
Atmospheric pressure on maps is measured at sea level

4. Winds blow almost directly along the isobars.
ANTI-CLOCKWISE around HIGHS.    
CLOCKWISE around LOWS

6. The closer the isobars, the stronger the winds.

8. When a high is over us we can expect dry sunny weather
The Highs
When isobars enclose an area of high pressure (above 1013 millibars. This is called a High, anticyclone or Ridge and its centre is labelled on a weather map by an 'H'.
When a high is over us we can expect dry sunny weather

10. When a low is over us we can expect, cold rainy weather.
The Lows
Isobars make shapes and patterns. When they enclose an area of low pressure this is called a Low, cyclone, trough or depression and its centre is labelled on a weather map with an 'L'.
When a low is over us we can expect, cold rainy weather.

12. What to do when trying to predict the weather.
Look if any anticyclones or cyclones are present.
Wind direction
Wind speed
Fronts
Especially in the South Island think of the southern Alps

13. Write down the important features to look out for on this map to forecast Gisborne’s weather?
Write a weather forecast for Gisborne telling us the wind direction/strength and the expected weather

15. Weather forecast for Gisborne Sunday Max: 18°C Min: 14°C
Rain, heavy at times. Gusty south easterlies

16. Analysis Map v’s a Prognosis Map
You can generally get two different types of weather maps.
An analysis map
What has actually occurred. The current situation
Prognosis
What the future holds for us

17. Fronts, Troughs and Convergence Zones
A front marks the boundary between two air-masses, and appears on the weather map as a line with triangles or semicircles attached.

18. Cold Front
Cold fronts push in underneath the warmer air ahead of them, forcing the warm air upwards and making cloud and areas of rain. As a cold front passes by: any rain clears but showers may appear, humidity drops, air temperature usually drops, pressure rises and the wind changes direction.

19. Warm Front
The advancing warm air rises over a zone of retreating cooler air, making a cloud bank that slopes forwards from ground level upwards, often bringing prolonged steady rain. As a warm front passes by: any rain becomes patchy but humidity remains high, air temperature may rise a little, pressure steadies, and the wind changes direction.

20. Occluded front
Occurs when a cold front overtakes a warm front, so that all that remains of the original warm air is trapped above, where it cools making dense cloud and rain. As an occluded front passes by: any rain becomes patchy, wind eases, the rate of pressure fall may level out but air temperature does not change much.

21. Stationary front
A front which has lost its impetus for movement, so that neither air-mass is making much progress. It takes a while for a stationary front to pass by: any rain clears only slowly and temperature and pressure do not change much.

22. Weather from around the world
Weather in Darfield
Weather from around the world