Plain English Meaning
A map showing what the weather is doing across the country right now at ground level — where the highs and lows are, where the fronts are, and what stations are reporting.
Full Definition
A weather chart that depicts surface conditions across a wide area at a specific time, showing the position of high and low pressure centers, fronts, isobars, and reported weather observations from ground stations. Surface analysis charts are produced regularly throughout the day and are used to identify pressure patterns, frontal positions, and the general weather situation at the surface.