500-mb Maps and Wind Speed Symbols
What does a pennant, two long, and one short feathers on a 500-mb map indicate?
a) 20 knots b) 30 knots c) 40 knots d) 50 knots
Answer:
The highest wind speeds on a 500-mb map indicated by a pennant, two long, and one short feather equal 50 knots.
Wind speeds plotted on weather maps use specific symbols to represent different wind speeds. In this case, a pennant, two long feathers, and one short feather symbol on a 500-mb map indicate wind speed.
Meteorologists use various symbols on weather maps to denote wind speeds. A pennant symbol represents 50 knots, each long flag (or feather) represents 10 knots, and each short flag represents 5 knots.
Therefore, when there is a combination of a pennant, two long feathers, and one short feather symbol on a 500-mb map, it would represent a wind speed of 50 knots. This specific combination indicates strong wind speeds in the south-southwest direction at that location.