The GOES system of U.S. satellites provides the National Weather Service, a branch of NOAA, with optimal meteorological data. The observation of the skies, on intervals as small as one minute, has provided today’s forecasters with vital information. Forecasting is no longer a guessing game, it is a science of interpreting a variety of data sets stemming from imagery, to soundings, ground observations and computer models.
Minute-by-minute GOES imagery is essential in the observation and forecasting of severe weather. The National Weather Service is the chief supplier of information to the weather community. Typically GOES images are transmitted every 15 minutes. By observing cloud patterns, along with ground observations, meteorologists are able to determine the organization of low pressure systems. In the middle latitudes, these low pressure systems are referred to as mid-latitude or extratropical cyclones and in the tropics they are referred to as tropical cyclones or possibly even hurricanes.
A cyclone is another name for a low pressure system. They can be identified by a closed isobar in the central area of low pressure, the actual central pressures may vary from system to system according to their intensity . A series of satellite images aids in the visualization of the development of these cyclones. The observation of couterclockwise, or cyclonic, motion is a basic indicator. These systems may eventually develop into the “comma cloud” which actually looks like the shape of a comma, and covers several states. Surface maps will confirm the presence of a low pressure.
In this activity you will observe real-time satellite images in order to search for the development of a mid-latitude cyclone. MLC’s are more apparent during the changes of seasons as the polar and tropical air masses are confronting eachother. However, they can be found in varying intensities throughout the entire year.

GOES KNOWS Name: ________________________
Weather Forecasting and Mid-Latitude Cyclones

Investigation:

Weather patterns occur on a daily basis changing as frequently as the weather itself. You will be collecting a series of daily images from the same time each day. Your goal is to observe the changes and determine the characterisitics of low and high pressure systems. You will create a forecast based upon observed motion.

THIS ACTIVITY WILL WORK BEST IF ONE ENTIRE WEEK CAN BE USED.

Step 1: (DAYS 1-3)

A. For at least three days look at the current IR GOES satellite image of the entire United States. Try to do this activity at the same time of day in order to establish patterns. For each day use a new blank US map. Shade in or outline lightly the clouded areas. Try to distinquish between the varying shades of gray. Be sure to record detailed information in regard to the time and date of the image.

B. For those same three days, look at the current Surface Map of the United States for corresponding times and dates. On top of the pencil shading, record the presence of High and Low pressure systems in red and/or blue pens or pencils. Use a green pencil to record rainfall areas shown on this same current Surface Map from the Weather Channel.

C. Now select a city closest to each low pressure system you have drawn and record the current weather information for that site onto the chart provided.

Step 2: (DAY 4) Lay the three images in front of you in sequential order.

A. Select a US city from this page that, according to your observations, experienced great change in weather in the past 24 hours. PRINT OUT a copy of the meteogram, a 24 hour chart of the weather in this particular location. (HINT: It may be necessary to do a Page Setup and “landscape” instead of “portrait” in order to get it all on one page.It may also be helpful to shrink it to 85%.) You will need to lsit the time across the bottom of each graph in order to coordinate the changes. Begin with the time liste on the top of the meteogram.

B. Print a meteogram for two other cities that you think may also have experienced change in their weather in the past 24 hours.

C. Using the weather maps you have drawn in conjunction with the selected meteograms, answer the student questions.

Step 3: (Day 5)

A. Given a new current satellite image and surface map, write a forecast for the next 2 days. Include a drawing indicating the position of the pressure systems, fronts and areas that may receive rain. Be prepared to share your map and forecast with the class. Be sure to discuss the movement of the systems and the reason for your decision. ( If you feel it is necessary to forecast any severe weather please issue watches or warnings along with severe weather safety tips, which may be found at the American Red Cross website.)

Section 1:GOES KNOWS Mid-Latitude Cyclones
Studying and Forecasting Pressure Systems
(Use One MAP for every day you collect information.)
Name: _________________________ DAY #___
Partner(s): _________________________
_________________________

Date of Satellite Image : _________________
Time of Satellite Image: _________________UTC ______________EST/EDT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date of TWC Surface Map: _________________
Time of TWC Surface Map: _________________UTC_____________EST/EDT



LOW PRESSURE CENTER INFORMATION

Section 2:WEATHER MAP ANALYSIS Name: ____________________
Directions- Working in your small groups, look at your collection of images and meteograms, answer the following questions.

A: Pressure Systems
1. How many low pressure systems have you drawn that can be tracked through the entire series of your maps? How many days did it take for a system to move across the United States?


2. By observing your map collection, what type of weather seems to be consistently linked with fronts and pressure systems?



3. Over the past several days, in which direction did the systems typically move? Why do you think the systems move in this way?



4. Are you able to detect any rotation within any of the systems? If so, describe the direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) and with which system was this observed?

B: Surface Maps/Meteograms
1. According to your surface maps, did you observe any correlations between rainfall and frontal systems? Explain. Does it always rain where there are fronts? Why or why not?




2. On a IR satellite image how can you tell if a cloud has vertical growth? With which type of front did you seem to observe greater vertical growth in the clouds?



3. Can you distinguish a connection between the satellite image, the passing of a frontal system and the meteogram?


C: Forecasting and Analysis
1. In what way could your observation of the pressure systems be improved?




2. Mid-latitude cyclones form between areas of contrasting temperatures and strong frontal boundaries, what type of weather do you suspect would occur as a result of this?
Did your map studies this week show any indications of severe weather? How do you know?




Section 3: Forecast for the Next Two Days Name: ____________________

Final Assessment- Given a new current satellite image and surface map, write a forecast for the next 2 days. Include a drawing indicating the position of the pressure systems, fronts and areas that may receive rain. Be prepared to share your map and forecast with the class. Be sure to discuss the movement of the systems and the reason for your decision. ( If you feel it is necessary to forecast any severe weather please issue watches or warnings along with severe weather safety tips, which may be found at the American Red Cross website.)

EXTENSIONS

1. Check out these movies (using quicktime movie viewer) to observe some severe Mid-Latitude Cyclones.
Mid-Latitude Cyclone-Blizzard, NewEngland 3-22-98 (10 Meg)

Notice the motion and intensity of the clouds in the center of the rotation. During blizzards, the heaviest snowfall occurs to the northwest of the central low. Why do you think this occurs and can you detect evidence of intensity in that section of the rotation?

2. You may create slide shows of particular events by using saved images from the
GOES Project Science page.

3. You may print out blank meteograms in order to visualize and study ground observations of other locations or your school over time.

For additional information these sites may be visited.
The GOES Project Science Page
NASA Educational Briefs on GOES Satellite Imagery
The WW2010
The USA Today
The Weather Channel
The American Red Cross

Coding:
Maryland Core Learning Goals (Science): 2.1.1 , 2.1.2 , 2.2.2 , 2.3.1 , 2.3.3
National Standards (Science): A.1, A.3, A.4, A.5, D.1, E.2, F.5, F.6, G.1
National Standards (Geography): 1 , 4 , 7
National Standards (Mathematics): 1.1 , 1.2 , 4.1 , 5.2

Teacher Tips:

Feedback:

Credits:
This activity was created by Elizabeth McCook in conjunction with Nancy Carey, Gregory Helms and Connie Lenhart. Science Advisor: Alan K. Nelson