NAME: ___________________________________________________________ Atmospheric Sciences 101, Summer 2003 Homework #6 – Accepted through end of lecture Monday, 18 August 2003 ***No assignments may be turned in after that time*** 1. Fronts and middle latitude cyclones a. Why do cumuliform clouds typically form at a cold front? b. What is the primary energy source for middle latitude cyclones? c. What physically is an occlusion? What does it mean for a middle latitude cyclone when an occlusion occurs?2. Forecasting a. In order to forecast future weather you must know the current weather, which requires observations. The two methods of observing the current state of the atmosphere were discussed in class – in situ measurements and remote sensing. In what way are in situ measurements superior to remote sensing? Conversely, in what way is remote sensing superior to in situ measurements? b. Even if you could have ideal observations, those must be input into a computer model to produce a forecast. Unfortunately computer models are not perfect. What are two distinct shortcomings involving weather models that hinder forecasting? c. There is a limit on how far out in time weather forecasts can be made because the atmosphere is “chaotic”. Explain why the chaotic nature of the atmosphere limits predictive ability.3. Thunderstorms and tornadoes a. Why does an ordinary single cell thunderstorm last for such a short period of time? b. How does low level vertical wind shear (wind changing with height) affect the gust front and cold pool such that severe thunderstorms live longer than single cell thunderstorms? c. Thunderstorms are observed most commonly in the United States along the Gulf coast and specifically in Florida. Why is hail rarely observed in that area? d. What are the atmospheric conditions most favorable for tornadoes to occur?4. Tropical cyclones a. Why can tropical cyclones not form at the Equator (0° latitude)? b. Why are ocean waters in middle latitudes (generally poleward of 30° latitude) not favorable for tropical cyclone formation? c. What conditions aloft may keep tropical cyclones from forming even if surface conditions are optimal? d. Suppose a hurricane with maximum sustained storm-relative winds near the eye of 100 mph is moving onshore due northward at a speed of 15 mph directly over Mobile, Alabama on the Gulf coast. Would the winds observed at a surface weather station as the eye of the storm moved onshore be faster at Biloxi, Mississippi or Pensacola, Florida? Explain your
View Full Document
Unlocking...