What do closely space isobars indicate widely spaced isobars indicate?

The closer the spacing of isobars, the stronger is the pressure gra- dient force. The stronger the pressure gradient force, the stronger is the wind. Thus, closely spaced isobars mean strong winds; widely spaced isobars mean lighter wind.

What do closely spaced isobars indicate quizlet?

Closely spaced isobars indicate a steep pressure gra- dient and high winds. Widely spaced isobars indicate a weak pressure gradient and light winds.

What can we infer when isobars are tightly spaced?

When isobars become very tightly grouped together it indicates a “tight pressure gradient” (steep slope). … This “slope” or gradient indicates faster winds as air from the upper atmosphere mixes down to the surface of the earth. Conversely, when isobars are very loosely grouped together the winds are typically calm.

What do isobars tell us about the weather?

Isobars and isotherms are lines on weather maps which represent patterns of pressure and temperature, respectively. They show how temperature and pressure are changing over space and so help describe the large-scale weather patterns across a region in the map.

Why do close isobars indicate strong winds?

If isobars are closely spaced on a weather map, it means that the pressure is changing at short distances. The closely spaced isobars result in stronger pressure gradient force. This results in stronger winds and turbulent weather.

When looking at a weather map closely spaced isobars indicate a steep pressure gradient and?

Closely spaced isobars indicate a steep pressure gradient and high winds whereas widely spaced isobars indicate a gentle pressure gradient and weak winds. 16.)

Why are the isobars usually spaced close together in low pressure areas?

The spacing between isobars represents a pressure differential between those two isobars. When two isobars are closer together then the pressure changes at a greater rate over distance. … When isobars are spaced far apart then the pressure changes more gradually over distance and thus the wind speed is weaker.

Why are isobars important to understanding weather maps?

Isobars. Isobars are the plain lines curving across the map. They connect points with the same mean sea level air pressure (weight per square area of air above). … Isobars indicate the flow of air around weather systems.

What do closely spaced isotherms indicate?

The spacing of isotherms depict the temperature gradient across a portion of the Earth’s surface. Widely spaced isotherms (line A-B in Figure 5.12) indicate a small change in temperature over distance and closely spaced isotherms (line C-D in Figure 5.7) indicate large changes in temperature.

How do maps showing isobars help meteorologists What usually results when isobars are close together?

Spaced. Isobars that are close together indicate a large pressure. A large pressure causes strong winds. Isobars that are spread apart indicate a smaller pressure.

What kind of wind is present when isobars are close together?

Isobar lines are drawn across equal air pressures with interval of 4 millibars. When isobars are close to each other, it is windy. When isobars are farther away from each other there is light wind. 14.

Why pressure gradient is strong where the isobars are close to each other and is weak where the isobars is apart?

The pressure gradient is strong where the isobars are close to each other and is weak where the isobars are apart. Since a closely spaced gradient implies a steep pressure change, it also indicates a strong wind speed. The wind direction follows the direction of change of pressure, i.e. perpendicular to the isobars.

When a surface analysis chart shows closely spaced isobars you can expect?

Isobars show pressure, and therefore, wind patterns. If a low is encircled by a tightly spaced series of isobars, then you know that the low is a deep one — one with strong, converging surface winds and therefore a lot of lifting power. If the low-level winds are converging, there’s nowhere for air to go but up!

How do isobars help meteorologists predict weather?

Meteorologists use isobars on weather maps to depict atmospheric pressure changes over an area and to make predictions concerning wind flow. … The greater the contrast in pressure difference between two areas, the faster the wind will blow, so closer isobars on a weather map predict higher velocity winds.

What is the relationship between pressure gradient isobars and wind?

Using isobars on weather maps is completely accurate. Wind derives its initial speed and direction from changes in air pressure over distance, or pressure gradient force (PGF). This is why when isobars are packed closer together (larger pressure gradient), wind speeds tend to increase.

When the isobars determining the pressure system are close together the horizontal pressure gradient is?

HORIZONTAL PRESSURE GRADIENT. — The horizontal pressure gradient is steep or strong when the isobars determining the pressure system (fig. 3-7) are close together. It is flat or weak when the isobars are far apart.

Is strong where the isobars on a surface map are close together and weak where the isobars are far apart?

The greater the pressure gradient, the stronger the windspeed. Thus, on surface weather maps, the strongest winds are happening where the isobars are closest together and the weakest winds are happening where the isobars are spaced furthest apart.

How does a weaker pressure gradient appear on a map containing isobars?

A weak pressure gradient appears on the map as isobars spaced far apart. … Closely spaced isobars means a strong pressure gradient. This results in a stronger pressure gradient force and hence a stronger wind speed.

How you can use isobars to figure out wind direction?

Widely spaced isobars, portray a flat or weak pressure gradient, resulting in light winds. Isobars also determine wind direction, with winds blowing clockwise around highs and counterclockwise around lows in the Northern Hemisphere.

Does wind run parallel to isobars?

Geostrophic wind blows parallel to the isobars because the Coriolis force and pressure gradient force are in balance. However it should be realized that the actual wind is not always geostrophic — especially near the surface. The surface of the Earth exerts a frictional drag on the air blowing just above it.

How does the spacing of isobars on a weather map relate to wind speed quizlet?

How does the spacing of isobars on a weather map generally relate to the speed of wind? Closely spaced isobars indicate a strong pressure gradient and high wind speeds; widely spaced isobars indicate a weak pressure gradient and low wind speeds. … The meteorologist comments that the pressure tendency is rising.

How do you determine the lowest and highest pressure gradient when viewing a weather map?

On a weather chart, the magnitude of the pressure gradient can be seen by examining the spacing between the contour lines of the map (isobars on the surface map or height contours on the upper air map). Where the lines are closest together, the horizontal change in pressure is stronger, and the winds are stronger.

What factors influence the angle at which surface winds cross the isobars?

The angle at which these winds cross the cross the isobars depends mainly on the roughness of the terrian. When roughnes increases, angle also increases. Another factor on which this angle depends is the speed of the wind. The angle is more when the wind is a gentle breeze and less for winds with high speed.

Which force is required for the wind to cross the isobars Once the forces are in balance?

Which force is required for the wind to cross the isobars once the forces are in balance? the Coriolis force slows the wind, which decreases the pressure gradient force. Friction is now greater than the Coriolis force and the wind is pushed across the isobars toward a lower pressure.