CONTOURING

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CONTOURING

• Connect-the-dots
• for adults

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BACKGROUND

• Contouring is an important part of meteorology
• Drawing contours on maps with station data makes
  it easier to determine what is going on
• Determine how fronts and systems are moving

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What can contouring show us?

• Contouring shows us structure from scattered data
  points
• Regions of high and low pressure
• Cold and warm air
• Moisture
• High winds

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Types of Contours

• ISOPLETH a continuous line of constant value of
  a variable
• ISOBAR line of constant barometric pressure
• ISOTHERM line of constant temperature

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CONTOURING RULES!

• Use a pencil
• Pen or marker can be used later to trace the
  final contours
• Be neat and accurate

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CONTOURING RULES!

• Isolines never touch, cross, or split

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CONTOURING RULES!

• Label the isopleths
• All data points along an isopleth have the same
  value
• Label the end for open isolines
• Label in the center for closed isolines

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CONTOURING RULES!

• Make contours as smooth as possible
• Make contours as parallel as possible
• In many cases, lines will wiggle quite a bit

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Why cant a computer draw contours for me?

• Hand contouring gives an added perspective in the
  location and smoothness that a computer
  contouring program can not.
• Spotting obscure data points
• Analysis of local/familiar regions
• Understanding of the forecast