The Weatheroo-Team was very productive during the last weekend.
We’ve added a new feature to the Weather Maps.
You can now view streamlines of the atmospheric flow near the surface as well as in the upper troposphere at 250 hPa (~10 km height). Simply select “Wind streamlines@surface” and “Wind streamlines@250 hPa” from the drop-down lists. These streamlines show the wind speed and direction at the same time. The head of the streamlines points toward where the wind is blowing and the length of the streamline is proportional to the wind speed. You will notice that the streamlines@surface are nearly parallel to the mean sea level pressure contours, i.e. also the wind is blowing nearly parallel to the mean sea level pressure contours. Winds that are blowing perfectly parallel to the mean sea level pressure contours are referred to as geostrophic winds. These winds result from a balance between the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force due to earth rotation. Have a look at clockwise and anti-clockwise rotating low- and high-pressure systems in the southern hemisphere. Do the streamlines follow the mean sea level pressure contours? If not, what is the difference between high- and low-pressure systems?
In case you have any issues with the new map features, please let us know on Facebook.