<p>The link you provided states at the bottom of the page that 500hPa (500mb) is used because the weather systems as the Earth's surface move with the winds at this height (approximatly 5.5km above the surface). It makes sense to show just the 500hPa on these maps as this is the most applicable height for forecasting weather system movement. More pressures/heights would make a single map confusing and not really be worthwhile. I hope this helps. Feedback would be welcome. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-29T18:53:11.263Z
2018-11-29T18:53:11.263Z
Xiopop
<p>From the weather forecasting perspective: what is the main reason for showing just map of 500 hPa geopotential? Are there any practical or theoretical reasons? Why do not show 600 hPa geopotential or 400 hPa instead?
I understand that forecast model usually operates at pressure levels, so this is the reason why choose pressure level instead of quantity at some altitude. </p>

<p>Let us take e.g.:</p>

<p><a href="https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/charts/catalogue/medium-z500-t850-public?facets=Range,Medium%20(15%20days)&amp;time=2018112900,0,2018112900&amp;projection=classical_europe" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/charts/catalogue/medium-z500-t850-public?facets=Range,Medium%20(15%20days)&amp;time=2018112900,0,2018112900&amp;projection=classical_europe</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-30T10:58:01.937Z
BTW Did you notice that the text below the map offers some explanation? ;-)
Jan Doggen
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-30T11:01:07.870Z
Not too much. :-) " The contours effectively show the main tropospheric waves that "control" our weather". But there is no explanation why just this level. There is only statement and not reason.
weatherman
<meteorology><weather-forecasting>
What is are the benefits of map 500 hPa geopotential for weather forecasting?
weatherman
# What is are the benefits of map 500 hPa geopotential for weather forecasting?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-11-29)

From the weather forecasting perspective: what is the main reason for showing just map of 500 hPa geopotential? Are there any practical or theoretical reasons? Why do not show 600 hPa geopotential or 400 hPa instead?
I understand that forecast model usually operates at pressure levels, so this is the reason why choose pressure level instead of quantity at some altitude.

Let us take e.g.:

<https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/charts/catalogue/medium-z500-t850-public?facets=Range,Medium%20(15%20days)&time=2018112900,0,2018112900&projection=classical_europe>

**Tags:** meteorology, weather-forecasting

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: BTW Did you notice that the text below the map offers some explanation? ;-)  
> **username_0**: Not too much. :-) " The contours effectively show the main tropospheric waves that "control" our weather". But there is no explanation why just this level. There is only statement and not reason.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-11-29. Score: 2

The link you provided states at the bottom of the page that 500hPa (500mb) is used because the weather systems as the Earth's surface move with the winds at this height (approximatly 5.5km above the surface). It makes sense to show just the 500hPa on these maps as this is the most applicable height for forecasting weather system movement. More pressures/heights would make a single map confusing and not really be worthwhile. I hope this helps. Feedback would be welcome.


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