Synoptic Charts

Question 1

Whats an Isobar ?

Answer 1

Lines on the chart

Winds are parallel to Isobar

Question 2

Low Pressure wind direction
Southern Hemisphere

Answer 2

Clockwise

Question 3

High Pressure wind direction
Southern Hemisphere

Answer 3

Anti-Clockwise

Question 4

Flying towards a high pressure system what direction is the wind coming from ?

Answer 4

Left

Question 5

Flying towards a Low pressure system what direction is the wind coming from ?

Answer 5

Right

Question 6

Geostrophic winds

Answer 6

Steady wind flow along straight isobars

Question 7

Wind strength if Isobars are close together ?

Answer 7

Strong winds
Steep pressure gradient

Question 8

What does spacing of Isobars show ?

Answer 8

Strength of pressure gradient

Question 9

Wind strength if Isobars are wide separated ?

Answer 9

light winds

Question 10

what’s a Ridge ?

Answer 10

• Wind Sharp Left Turn
• Stable weather conditions

Question 11

what’s a Trough ?

Answer 11

• Wind Sharp Right Turn
• Rain & thunderstorms

Question 12

what’s a Col ?

Answer 12

• Area between 2 High Pressure & 2 Low pressure
• Light winds - little sig weather

Question 13

If the destination’s aerodrome QNH is lower than the departure QNH - where’s the wind coming from ?

Answer 13

Wind from the RIGHT

Flying towards Low pressure
Wind acts clockwise around LP

Question 14

Low Pressure system / Depression

Answer 14

= Low Pressure area surrounded by high Pressure

= Cyclone

= Depending on stability -> nimbostratus (NS), CB is likely with RA or +SHRA

Question 15

Whats a MONSOONAL trough

Answer 15

• Represented by a dashed & dotted line
• Seasonal Wind change
• Land heats up faster then ocean
• L pressure area
• Mix of dry & moist winds combined

+SHRA , TS
Lasts for a few days to week