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300 mb:
Animations of the 300 mb level provide information about the locations of convergence and divergence aloft, leading to surface pressure systems.
Courtesy of Dept. Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison
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500 mb:
Animation of conditions in the middle atmosphere show the relationships between vorticity, troughs and ridges, and mid-level temperature.
Courtesy of Dept. Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison
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850 mb:
The 850 mb level maps provide information about frontal structure, air flow and temperature.
Courtesy of Dept. Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison
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Infrared Satellite Imagery:
Infrared satellite provides information about surface and cloud top temperature with colder surfaces being a brighter (white) color. Clouds and cold surfaces (snow) appear white. Animations of satellite imagery can be used to distinguish clouds from snow - clouds migrate and move while snow is stationary.
Courtesy of Dept. Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison
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Radar Imagery:
Radar imagery provides information about the location and intensity of precipitation; it does not distinguish precipitation type. Animations of radar imagery provide information regarding the intensity and direction of storms.
Courtesy of Dept. Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison
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Surface Temperature:
Surface air temperature and sea level pressure illustrate how a cyclone works to redistribute temperature. Cold air from the north is wrapped around the west and southern side of the cyclone while warmer air from the south and east is transported northward, due to counterclockwise flow around the low.
Courtesy of Dept. Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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Dewpoint Temperature:
Animations of sea level pressure overlain on dewpoint temperature show that moister air associated with a surface low-pressure center is found east and south of the low. Counterclockwise air flow around the cyclone wraps drier air around the cyclone as it moves north and east across the U.S.
Courtesy of Dept. Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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Water Vapor Satellite Imagery:
Water vapor satellite imagery and animation provide information about the moisture content of the middle and upper troposphere. Bright regions (white) indicate high moisture levels whereas dark regions (gray or black) indicate dry areas. High concentrations of water vapor are necessary for the formation of clouds and precipitation.
Courtesy of Dept. Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison
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