Drawing isolines

In this activity you’ll put into practice some of the knowledge you have learnt so far. You’ll be drawing various isolines on the maps we’ve provided, which will further help your understanding of the weather. We’ve split this activity into three tasks:

• drawing isotherms (temperature contours)
• drawing isobars (pressure contours)
• identifying types of rain

These tasks maybe a little tricky, so use the Comments area at the bottom of this Step to ask for help. Or for those who are struggling, you may wish to start with the more simplified version of the isoline (contour) maps which are also available for you to download.

You may like to watch this MetLink video on An introduction to contours hosted on YouTube.

Before you get started, make sure that you have the following items ready:

• pencil
• colouring pencils (approx. five different colours)

You will need to download and print the following worksheets:

• isotherms (temperature) worksheet
• isobar (pressure) worksheet
• weather map worksheet

Or for those who wish to start with a simplified version of the contour drawings see the following:

• isotherms simpler worksheet
• isobar simpler worksheet

If you need more help or just want to check your answers don’t worry. You’ll be able to see Sylvia work through them in the next Step.