How to Read a Weather Map

Knowing how to read a weather map allows a person to know what kind of weather can be expected in different parts of the world during certain times. They aren't complicated to understand, but first you must learn what the symbols mean.

Instructions

1. Familiarize yourself with the many symbols that are used in a weather map. Some may be of value to the information that you are looking for, and some may not. It is important that you know how to recognize the symbols when you're trying to figure out what upcoming weather to expect.

2. Know the symbols for the three different kinds of fronts. A line with triangles on it means cold front. A line with semi-circles means a warm front. A line with alternating semi-circles and triangles means a stationary front.

3. Know the different symbols for high and low pressure areas. A high pressure area is indicated with a blue circle with an H in the middle. A low pressure area is indicated with a red circle with an L in it.

4. Know the different symbols for rain showers, rain storms and lightening storms. A rain shower has diagonal lines that fall from the left to the right on the weather map. A rain storm is indicated by lines that fall from the right to the left. A lightening storm is shown with several Zs.

5. Know the symbols for the different types of snow. Snow flurries are indicated by a series of asterisks. Snow storms are indicated by circles that are made of lines; they look sort of like clocks without numbers on them.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many symbols that can help you read a weather map. Know them all to get a full reading.

• Weather maps aren't 100-percent accurate.