The former is characterized by atmospheric air under increasing pressure which sinks towards the land surface. A high pressure area is denoted by ‘H’ in blue, whereas, a low pressure area is denoted by ‘L’ in red. These are also called front line boundaries, and they represent the line of separation between hot and cold air masses which are present in either high or low pressure areas. The following image illustrates the main symbols which are used in describing the weather of a particular region.

The type and number of symbols are decided depending on the kind of weather of the region where the readings are taken.

These values are then processed and interpreted by meteorologists using latest software programs, and conclusions are drawn using this data to prepare weather maps. In the field of meteorology, readings and values of various atmospheric parameters are taken at specific intervals around the globe at weather stations. The same type of graphical map representations are now digitally made, using real-time data.

Considered as a class of important tools used by meteorologists, weather maps and associated symbols were manually drawn in the past.

Free weather icons