How to read this map

[clm]

How do you read this type of map?  Took it from one of the posts.

I get the 500 mb (barometric pressure).  However the numbers on the right, are they the winds in knots?  

Is it me or is this gif in reverse?  

 

[Hoosier]

It's a map of the trend from model run to model run, so each one is valid at the same time -- 18z Saturday.

As far as how to interpret the map... the lines indicate the height of the 500 mb pressure level, in decameters. 

The colors on the map/numbers on the right indicate units of vorticity at the 500 mb level. 

The wind barbs that you see all over indicate wind speed at 500 mb, in knots.  In case you're not sure how to interpret those, here's something to help:

[clm]

15 minutes ago, Hoosier said:

It's a map of the trend from model run to model run, so each one is valid at the same time -- 18z Saturday.

As far as how to interpret the map... the lines indicate the height of the 500 mb pressure level, in decameters. 

The colors on the map/numbers on the right indicate units of vorticity at the 500 mb level. 

The wind barbs that you see all over indicate wind speed at 500 mb, in knots.  In case you're not sure how to interpret those, here's something to help:

Thanks.

Missed the Init changing.  Now I see its different runs as you said.

So the dot at the end of the barbs indicate which direction the wind is flowing?  In the above map, over Nevada, they're pointing south so that would mean the wind flow is heading south there?

[Hoosier]

11 minutes ago, clm said:

Thanks.

Missed the Init changing.  Now I see its different runs as you said.

So the dot at the end of the barbs indicate which direction the wind is flowing?  In the above map, over Nevada, they're pointing south so that would mean the wind flow is heading south there?

I've never actually seen the dot on a weather map, so not sure what that means lol

But yes, the way that the wind barb is pointing on the weather map indicates the wind direction.