Science 10 - Weather Maps Worksheet #2: Analyze weather symbols and conditions across the U.S. on a specific day in March.

Let’s go through each question one by one, using the weather map and what we know about fronts and pressure systems.

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1. Would you expect to find clear weather or clouds near Fargo, North Dakota?

Look at where Fargo is on the map — it’s in the northern part of the U.S., under a big “H” (which means high pressure). High pressure usually brings clear skies and calm weather. Also, there are no front lines right over Fargo, and no shaded bands (which mean precipitation) covering it directly. So, yes — clear weather is expected.

✔ Answer: Clear weather

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2. Where would you expect to find a storm?

Storms often happen along fronts — especially cold fronts (triangles) and stationary fronts (alternating triangles and half-circles), because that’s where air masses clash. Look for areas with lots of symbols together, like near the East Coast — there’s a cold front moving down from Canada, and a stationary front stretching across the Southeast. Also, look at the shaded areas — those show rain or snow. The area around New Orleans and up toward Chicago has heavy shading and front lines nearby — that’s likely stormy.

Also, low-pressure areas (“L”) can cause storms — but this map only shows an “H”, so focus on fronts and precipitation zones.

✔ Answer: Near the East Coast, especially around the cold front and stationary front — places like New Orleans, Atlanta, or even up near Chicago could have storms.

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3. How is the weather in Salt Lake City, west of the stationary front, different from the weather in Denver, east of the front?

Salt Lake City is west of the stationary front — look at the map: it’s in a lighter shaded area (maybe light rain or drizzle?), and temperatures are cooler (around 50°F–60°F). Denver is east of the front — it’s in a darker shaded band (heavier precipitation?), and also colder? Wait — actually, looking again: both cities are near the same temperature zone? Hmm.

Wait — let’s check the key: shaded bands = same temperature. Salt Lake City is in the 50s band. Denver is also in the 50s? But Denver is east of the front — and the front separates two air masses. Usually, west of a stationary front might be cooler/drier, east might be warmer/moister — but here, both seem similar?

Actually — look closer: Salt Lake City is just west of the front, and Denver is just east. The front itself is drawn between them. In reality, stationary fronts often bring prolonged cloudy/rainy weather on both sides — but sometimes one side is drier.

But according to the map: Salt Lake City is in a lightly shaded area (light precip?), Denver is in a more heavily shaded area (more precip?). Also, Denver is closer to the cold front coming down from the north — so maybe Denver is getting hit by active weather, while Salt Lake City is calmer.

Wait — another clue: the cold front is moving southeast — so Denver might be ahead of it (warmer, humid, stormy), while Salt Lake City is behind it (cooler, clearing)? No — actually, Salt Lake City is west of the *stationary* front, not the cold front.

Let me re-read: “west of the stationary front” vs “east of the front”.

On the map, the stationary front runs roughly north-south through Utah/Colorado. Salt Lake City is west of it — in a region with less intense shading. Denver is east — in a darker shaded band (meaning heavier precipitation?).

So difference: Salt Lake City probably has lighter rain or drizzle, maybe cooler temps. Denver has heavier rain or snow, possibly stormier conditions.

✔ Answer: Salt Lake City likely has lighter precipitation and maybe clearer skies, while Denver is experiencing heavier rain or snow and stormier weather because it’s east of the front where moisture and instability are greater.

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4. What is happening to the air masses at the cold front?

A cold front is when cold air pushes under warm air. The warm air gets forced upward quickly — which causes clouds, thunderstorms, and sometimes heavy rain or snow. On the map, the cold front is marked with triangles pointing in the direction it’s moving (southeast). Ahead of it (to the southeast), you’ll see storms; behind it (northwest), cooler, clearer weather.

So at the cold front itself — the cold air is lifting the warm air rapidly → leading to storms.

✔ Answer: The cold air mass is pushing under the warm air mass, forcing the warm air to rise quickly — which creates clouds, storms, and precipitation along the front.

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Final Answer:

1. Clear weather
2. Near the East Coast, especially around the cold front and stationary front (e.g., New Orleans, Atlanta, Chicago)
3. Salt Lake City (west of front) likely has lighter precipitation and calmer weather; Denver (east of front) has heavier precipitation and stormier conditions
4. Cold air is pushing under warm air, forcing it to rise rapidly — causing clouds, storms, and precipitation