Current Conditions
Here is an actual surface map for you to look at. These conditions occurred at 6:00 PM on November 9 of 1998. Notice that there are also surface weather observations on this map. You can use everything you learned back in lesson #1 about surface observations to understand the current conditions better.

Click here for a larger view

The most important features on this map are the following:
1. Low-pressure over central Kansas (hard to see, it is where the red and blue lines meet)
2. Cold front that extends southward from the low-pressure area in Kansas
3. Warm front that extends southeast from the low-pressure area in Kansas
4. The green shaded areas are rain (the red and orange are heavy rain and storms)

Answer the following questions:
1. What differences do you see between the surface weather at eastern Missouri and western Kansas? Name at least 3.
2. What differences can you find between eastern Missouri and Arkansas? Name at least 3.

What is going to happen?
This is a forecast model to help you out. Notice that the low-pressure area over Kansas is expected to move northeast into Iowa. The forecast model shows that the warm front is expected to move through central Missouri around 10:00 PM and the cold front will move through around 2:00 AM.

Lights! Camera! Action! It is now time for your forecast. Go on to the next page and answer the following questions...