Meteorology 311 - Fall 2011 - Final Exam Review Air Masses, Fronts, Jet Streaks Air Masses - Air mass classification and general identification of air masses on a map Fronts - Front type identification and front location. - Front type id: Movement of the cold air. - Front location: temperature discontinuity, pressure discontinuity, wind shift, dew point discontinutity, etc. Jet Streaks - Quadrant identification construction and identification. - Areas of upward and downward motion. - Physical justification of upward and downward motion regions. - “Skier” explanation, PVA/NVA explanation - Direct and Indirect circulations. Remote Sensing (Satellite and Radar) Satellite remote sensing - Characteristics of Visible, IR, and Water Vapor imagery. - Strengths and weaknesses of each. Radar - Definitions and general characteristics. Numerical Weather Prediction, MOS, and FOUS Numerical weather prediction - Finite differencing techniques (centered, upwind) - Primarily “Model Types” and “Important Features” slides in PowerPoint presentation. MOS/FOUS - MOS: Model Output Statistic, FOUS: Forecast Output – United States - What are MOS and FOUS? - Characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of MOS systems.- Reading a MOS report. Divergence, Vorticity, and Upward Motion Natural coordinates Divergence - Mathematical form (Cartesian coordinates) - If I want you to use natural coordinate form, I will provide it. - However, you should be able to explain this form. - Where does it come from? - Acceleration/Deceleration of air parcels. - Confluence/Diffluence - Very difficult to see if there is a net convergence or divergence from looking at maps alone. Need to do the calculation. - Why is convergence/divergence important at low levels? What is the result of each? Vorticity - Mathematical form (Cartesian coordinates) - If I want you to use natural coordinate form, I will provide it. - However, you should be able to explain this form. - PVA/NVA - Why is PVA/NVA important? What is the result of each? Upward Motion - Equation is on equation sheet. - Vertical motions vs. vertical velocity. Balanced Wind Approximations Geostropic Wind - Equation is on the equation sheet. - What is it and where does it come from? - Where does it work best and why? Gradient Wind - Equation is on the equation sheet. - What is it and where does it come from? - Where does it work best and why? - How does it differ from the geostrophic wind?- How does it differ from the real wind? - Remember sign conventions for radius of curvature. - Derivations and conclusions based on gradient wind. Thermal Wind - What is it? Difference in geostrophic wind with height. - If geostropic wind backs with height: CAA - If geostropic wind veers with height: WAA - What does WAA and CAA advection imply for vertical motions and thickness changes. - Review thickness equation. Good