Interesting feature on a weather map

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around an unusual fog feature observed on a weather map, specifically shaped like a question mark, over the South Dakota, Nebraska, and Oklahoma areas. Participants share their experiences and thoughts on weather map features, as well as attempts to retrieve the specific map image.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes seeing a fog feature on a weather map that resembled a question mark, noting its distinct shape and color coding.
  • Another participant expresses enthusiasm for identifying shapes in weather maps, comparing it to finding a rainbow, and shares a past experience of seeing weather fronts that appeared to spell "SKY."
  • A later reply emphasizes that the observed feature was indeed a question mark shape, clarifying that it was not merely a resemblance but an accurate depiction.
  • One participant suggests a method for capturing images from weather maps using the print screen function, sharing their own experience with similar situations.
  • Another participant expresses concern about the proprietary nature of the image from The Weather Channel and seeks advice on how to obtain it.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the interesting nature of the weather map feature, but there is no consensus on how to retrieve the specific image or the proprietary issues surrounding it.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the availability of the specific weather map image and the methods for capturing it, as well as the proprietary status of the image from The Weather Channel.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to weather enthusiasts, meteorology students, and individuals interested in the interpretation of weather maps and imagery.

SW VandeCarr
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I was checking out a developing blizzard forecast for the northeast US today when I saw this interesting fog feature over the South Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma area.

http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/currentweatherusnational/uscurrentweather_large.html

EDIT: The image is changing. It was the near perfect shape of a question mark right in the center of the country (0500 EST 12/26/10), fog feature color coded yellow. Sorry, but I'm not getting the delete option or finding a quick way to obtain this particular map. (Attempt to copy the original image failed.)
 
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A question mark is one of the most common things a weather front could look like, but it is still awesome. I love looking for pictures on weather maps, it is like finding a rainbow. Coolest thing I have ever seen is where the fronts all lined up to almost spell the word SKY.
 
Smock said:
A question mark is one of the most common things a weather front could look like, but it is still awesome. I love looking for pictures on weather maps, it is like finding a rainbow. Coolest thing I have ever seen is where the fronts all lined up to almost spell the word SKY.

Yeah. I copied the page as a file first but the map itself wasn't captured. I sent an email to the US National Weather Service giving the date and time, but no response yet. Do you know of any other way I can get that map: USA 0500 EST (I think that's 1000 GMT) Dec 26, 2010? Thanks.

EDIT" This wasn't a front. It was an area of fog coded yellow over four central US states, with the period nearly perfectly placed. I didn't just resemble a question mark. No imagination was required. It was a question mark for all practical purposes.
 
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if you run into that situation again, just use the print screen key on the kybrd
and paste the copied image into something like MSpaint (paintbrush)

I have to do it all the time since our local met office here started using a different style of displaying active maps on their www site.

it works a treat :)

Dave
 
Thanks Dave. I'll give it a try next time. `However, it looks like this image is proprietary, belonging to The (US) Weather Channel (TWC) and I'm trying to find out who to talk to there.

Steve
 

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