WW2010
University of Illinois

WW2010
 
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Reading Maps
 
introduction
 
utc conversions
 
temp conversions
 
surface obs
 
surface maps
 
upper air obs

Surface Obs
 
overview
 
temperature
 
weather
 
dew points
 
cloud cover
 
pressure
 
winds
 
contours

Contours
 
introduction
 
isobars
 
wind & isobars
 
isotherms
 
isodrosotherms
 
more contouring

User Interface
 
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text

.
Isodrosotherms
surface maps

A line connecting points of equal Dew Point Temperature is called an isodrosotherm. That means, at every point along a given isodrosotherm, the values of dew point temperature are the same.

Isodrosotherms are represented by dashed green contours. An image of reported dew point temperatures and isodrosotherms has been given below.

The black numbers are station reports of surface dew point temperature in degrees Fahrenheit, which is the unit for dew point temperature in the U.S.. Most other nations of the world use Celsius

The isodrosotherms were generated from the observed values of dew point temperature, and have been plotted at intervals of 5 degrees Fahrenheit. The small green numbers are contour labels, which identify the value of an isodrosotherm (55, 65 degrees Fahrenheit).

For example, high dew point values of greater than 70 have been reported in Iowa, Illinois and southern Michigan and are therefore located south of the 70 degree contour.

In the image below, this surface dew point temperature information has been incorporated into a more complex surface map generated for the same time.

Reported dew points show that a dome of very moist air has pushed its way into Iowa, Illinois, and southern Michigan where dew point temperatures are above 70. Such high dew points usually mean humid and sticky weather conditions.

On the other hand, pleasant weather is found across North Dakota and Minnesota, where dew points are in the 50's and the air is much drier.



isotherms
Terms for using data resources. CD-ROM available.
Credits and Acknowledgments for WW2010.
Department of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) at
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

more contouring