Classification of weather maps

Weather maps are generally divided into three categories: surface weather maps, upper-altitude weather maps and auxiliary maps. If classified according to its nature, it can be divided into: ① Live analysis chart. Weather maps drawn based on actual observation records. ②Forecast map. Weather situation forecast maps or weather distribution forecast maps for the next 24, 48, and 72 hours drawn based on the results of weather analysis or numerical weather forecasts. ③Historical weather maps. A type of historical information printed and published based on fact analysis charts. In addition, if necessary, we sometimes draw average maps of the average distribution of certain meteorological elements in different time periods (such as ten days, months, and years), and anomaly maps of the difference distribution of the average values, etc. There are thermodynamic diagrams, cross-section diagrams, variable diagrams, etc. ①Thermodynamic diagram. A diagram based on the adiabatic equation for dry air and the adiabatic equation for moist air, also called an adiabatic diagram. This kind of diagram is generally printed with isobars (ordinate), isotherms (abscissa), dry adiabatic lines (equal potential temperature lines), wet adiabatic lines (equal potential temperature lines) and isosaturation specific humidity lines. By filling in the pressure, temperature, and humidity records at each altitude of a certain station on the map, you can analyze the stability of the atmosphere above the weather station or calculate various physical quantities that characterize the temperature and humidity characteristics of the atmosphere.

② Cross-sectional view. It is a diagram used to analyze the distribution of meteorological elements in the vertical direction and the dynamic and thermal structure of the atmosphere. The map is filled with records of temperature, humidity, wind direction and speed of each standard isobaric surface and characteristic layer, and isowind speed lines, isotherms, isothermal lines, upper and lower boundaries of frontal areas, etc. are drawn. It is divided into two types: space profile and time profile. The former uses simultaneous sounding data from multiple stations to represent the physical characteristics of the atmosphere on a vertical section along a certain direction at a certain time; the latter uses multiple consecutive sounding data from a single station to represent the changing atmospheric conditions above that station within a certain period of time. evolution over time.

③ Variable graph. Also called a trend chart, it can reflect the distribution of changes in a certain meteorological element in the past 12 hours or 24 hours. Commonly used ones include variable voltage (high) diagrams and variable temperature diagrams. Strong large-scale meteorological element variable areas have certain predictability for the future change trends of these elements.

④ Single station diagram. A single-station upper-altitude wind map drawn with polar coordinates can represent the dynamic conditions such as the vertical shear intensity of the upper-altitude wind near the measuring station and the thermal state of cold and warm advection in each layer; it can also show the changes in some elements on the ground or high altitude over time. and curves that deviate from normal conditions, etc.