The standard weather map is the synoptic chart, which shows a detailed picture of the weather over an area at a particular time. The chart is compiled from weather reports from many different weather stations. Weather maps use a wide variety of standard symbols. Broadcasters, such as the BBC have their own standard symbols for types of weather. International meteorological organisations use a set of standard symbols to describe specific aspects of weather.

Weather maps must serve a variety of purposes and synoptic charts are not suitable for every occasion. Television forecasters, for example, often show greatly simplified maps with pictorial symbols. In the tropics, maps with streamlines are more useful than maps with isobars. Streamlines show representations of the actual flow or trajectory of the weather at a particular time - a sort of weather snapshot. Special maps are also produced by those studying a particular aspect of weather such as lightning. Significant maps - showing significant weather effects (abbreviated as SIGWX) only show weather that may affect flying conditions. SIGWX maps are usually issued four times per day. Rain, hail, storms and other potential hazards are clearly marked by the same symbols that are used on synoptic charts. In Britain, as in many other countries, SIGWX charts are especially important because weather conditions change so frequently.