Weather Maps Reading Comprehension and Analysis Worksheets - Classful - Free Printable

Let's solve each part of this weather map problem step by step. The image shows a U.S. weather map with various fronts and cities labeled, along with a legend for different types of weather fronts.

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1. Shade in the weather fronts on the map and the legend in the appropriate colors.

We are given a legend:

- Stationary Front: Zigzag lines (alternating triangles and semicircles) — usually shown in blue or purple, depending on convention.
- Cold Front: Triangles pointing in direction of movement — typically blue.
- Occluded Front: Alternating triangles and semicircles pointing in direction of movement — purple.
- Warm Front: Semicircles pointing in direction of movement — red.

However, since this is a text-based explanation, I’ll describe how to shade them:

- Cold Fronts: Use blue color. Look for lines with triangles pointing forward.
- Warm Fronts: Use red color. Look for lines with semicircles pointing forward.
- Occluded Fronts: Use purple color. These have alternating triangles and semicircles.
- Stationary Fronts: Use blue and red alternating (or purple), but often shown as stationary with no movement symbol.

On the map:
- There is a cold front moving from the northwest toward the southeast across the central U.S. (from Montana into Nebraska and Kansas).
- A warm front extending from the Gulf Coast northeastward toward the Carolinas.
- An occluded front near the Northeast, curving from New York to Virginia.
- A stationary front may be present near the Midwest or South, but it’s not clearly marked—look for a line without movement indicators.

👉 Action: Color the cold front blue, warm front red, occluded front purple, and any stationary front with alternating red and blue (or purple).

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2. What type of weather will Portland, Oregon soon experience?

Looking at the map:
- Portland is located in the Pacific Northwest.
- A cold front is approaching from the north/northwest.
- Cold fronts bring cooling temperatures, wind shifts, possible precipitation (rain or snow), and cloudy skies.

Since Portland is just ahead of the cold front (the front is moving south/southeast), it will likely experience:

> ✔ A drop in temperature, increasing clouds, possible rain or thunderstorms, and wind shifting from southwest to northwest.

So, Portland will soon experience cooler temperatures and possibly rain or storms as the cold front passes.

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3. Which city has been experiencing cloudy and rainy weather for several days?

Cloudy and rainy weather typically occurs behind a warm front or ahead of a cold front. But sustained cloudy/rainy conditions over several days suggest being under a warm front or in the warm sector between fronts.

Look at the warm front (red line) stretching from the Gulf of Mexico up toward the Carolinas. Cities ahead of the warm front (to the east) would be in the warm air mass and could have stable, moist conditions.

But the best candidate is Charleston, South Carolina, which lies just behind the warm front and ahead of the occluded front. It’s in a region where warm air is still dominant, and moisture is high.

Alternatively, Tampa might be under the influence of the warm front.

But Charleston is near the occluded front, and if the occlusion is forming, it may be bringing prolonged rain.

Wait: Let’s look carefully.

The warm front extends from the Gulf coast northeastward through Alabama and Georgia. Cities like Atlanta, Birmingham, and Charlotte are near or behind it.

But Birmingham and Atlanta are under a warm front, so they’ve likely had several days of cloudy and rainy weather due to the slow-moving warm front lifting moist air.

However, Charleston is actually on the edge of the occluded front, which brings persistent precipitation.

But the most likely answer is:

> ✔ Charleston, South Carolina — because it lies directly under an occluded front, which is associated with extended periods of cloudiness and precipitation.

✔ So, Charleston has been experiencing cloudy and rainy weather for several days.

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4. List the cities that will soon see an increase in temperature and humidity.

An increase in temperature and humidity happens when a warm front moves in.

- Warm fronts bring warmer, moister air ahead of them.
- Cities ahead of a warm front (in the direction the front is moving) will see warming and increased humidity.

On the map, the warm front (red line) is moving northeastward from the Gulf Coast.

Cities ahead of this front (i.e., to the northeast) will see rising temps and humidity.

These include:
- Charlotte, NC
- Raleigh, NC
- Richmond, VA
- Washington, D.C.
- Baltimore, MD
- Philadelphia, PA

Also, Tampa and Jacksonville are already in the warm sector, but cities further north are about to be affected.

So, cities that will soon see an increase in temperature and humidity:

> ✔ Charlotte, Raleigh, Richmond, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia

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5. What type of weather front is Charleston experiencing? What will occur after this front passes by?

From the map:
- Charleston is located near the curved front with alternating triangles and semicircles — this is an occluded front (as per the legend and the diagram above).

So:
- Charleston is experiencing an occluded front.

After an occluded front passes:
- The warm air mass is lifted off the ground.
- Precipitation decreases.
- Skies become clearer.
- Temperatures drop (since cold air dominates).
- Wind direction changes.
- Air becomes drier.

So:

> ✔ Charleston is experiencing an occluded front. After it passes, the weather will become clearer, cooler, and drier.

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✔ Final Answers:

1. Shade:
- Cold front: Blue
- Warm front: Red
- Occluded front: Purple
- Stationary front: Alternating red/blue or purple

2. Portland, Oregon will soon experience cooler temperatures, increasing clouds, and possible rain or storms as a cold front approaches.

3. Charleston, South Carolina has been experiencing cloudy and rainy weather for several days due to the occluded front.

4. Cities that will soon see an increase in temperature and humidity:
Charlotte, Raleigh, Richmond, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia

5. Charleston is experiencing an occluded front. After it passes, the weather will clear, temperatures will drop, and the air will become drier.

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Let me know if you'd like a visual description or help interpreting the map symbols!