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Click here for latest unanalyzed surface map from website	Click here for latest analyzed surface map from website

Weather information is coded in a surface station model on surface weather maps. For a description of the surface station model, click here. The circle at the center of the model is centered on the station location. The approximate time that the weather information was collected is shown in UTC with the date in the upper left margin. For station identities, see Available Surface Stations.

The surface weather map on the right is computer-analyzed for pressure by the addition of isobars. Also, the location of centers of relatively highest and lowest pressures are shown by H and L, respectively. In addition, the positions of frontal boundaries are displayed. For an explanation of the symbols used for fronts, click here. The time of the frontal locations is given in the upper right margin. Finally, the position of radar echoes from a national network of NWS Doppler radars is overlain where echo intensity is shown by the radar reflectivity scale along the lower left margin. For more interpretation of the radar intensity scale, click here.

Additional Surface Maps

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Click here for latest temperature advection map from website	Click here for latest Midwest data (for example) map from website

The map on the left displays station data, fronts and pressure systems, and isotherms. For more information on isotherms, see the Temperatures choice from Surface links. The wind patterns in relation to the isotherms display situation of warm air or cold air advection. Warm or cold air advection can dramatically affect temperatures at a station over the future hours.

The map on the right is an example of a detailed regional map showing many more station models than can be presented on the regular surface map. Regional maps display weather conditions every hour for the Northwest, Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southern Plains, and Southwest areas of the coterminous U.S.