Assignment 3

Which of the following statements best explains the formation of the fog seen in the Fog over Lake Baikal layer?

Colder air moving over the warmer water of the lake becomes saturated, resulting in fog developing.

Which of the following circumstances provides the best explanation for the higher temperatures found in central Colorado?

downslope winds As air moves west-to-east over the mountains, it descends to lower elevations on the leeward side of the mountains and warms adiabatically.

Based on the evidence in the Big Sur image, what is the most likely direction of the prevailing wind?

southwest

Assuming a starting air temperature of 27∘ C and the presence of the lifting condensation level at placemark C with the air then saturated for the remainder of the ascent to the summit of Mont Ventoux at placemark E, what would be the air temperature of the parcel? Use a wet adiabatic lapse rate of 6∘ C for your calculations.

13.4∘ C Air rising at the dry adiabatic lapse rate reduced the air temperature at placemark C by 10∘ C, and air rising at the wet adiabatic lapse rate further reduced the air temperature by an additional 3.6∘ C between C and the summit.

Unlike midlatitude cyclones that form at the boundary between warm and cold fronts, tropical cyclones form over warm waters where the air is relatively homogeneous. The warm air and waters ensure ample water vapor that fuels the storms. What is the approximate range of ocean temperatures in the region of the North Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico in which tropical cyclones form?

24° to 29° C Tropical cyclones use warm, moist air as fuel. In general, the sea surface temperatures need to be at least 26.6° C (80° F) through about 50 meters depth. Typically, these conditions persist in the Atlantic Basin from approximately June 1 to November 30.

The way relative humidity can change with temperature over the course of a typical day (autumn) is shown in the figure below. In the figure, the air temperature increases during the daytime as the Sun warms Earth, and it cools during the nighttime after the Sun has set. Assume that the actual amount of water vapor in the air (expressed as specific humidity here) is 10 g/kg, and that it remains constant over the course of the days. The water-vapor capacity (expressed as the saturation-specific humidity) at various temperatures (needed to calculate relative humidity) is provided in the table attached to the image below. You will label the respective relative humidity. Each relative humidity label is associated with the temperature indicated on the curve.

26 = 47.9 28 = 42.5 20 = 69.1 16 = 89.0

Which of the five locations placemarked in the Evaporation folder would have the highest potential evaporation?

A

Cyclogenesis begins along a polar front where cold and warm air masses converge. As an upper-level disturbance moves over the front, a wave develops and the system forms a low-pressure center. Based on the hypothetical weather map, which of the following statements is correct?

A large midlatitude cyclone in the open stage has formed over the Upper Midwest (i.e. Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan). In the Northern Hemisphere, as a midlatitude cyclone matures, warm air moves northward along an advancing front, while cold air advances southward. As the low pressure strengthens, the system maintains a counterclockwise flow. As the entire system moves from west to east with the flow of the westerlies, the faster moving cold front overtakes the slower moving warm front, forming an occluded front.

Which location labeled in the Sublimation folder would have the highest possibility for sublimation of water?

B

Assuming a starting air temperature of 27∘ C and the air not being saturated, at which placemark, A-E, would the air parcel have experienced a temperature change of 10∘ C?

C This location is 1 km above the start, and air would have cooled 10∘ C.

Which of the following physical regions has the highest amount of atmospheric water vapor during the month of January based on the data in the Water Vapor folder?

Cape York Peninsula

Which of the following cities is not impacted by the presence of a rain shadow?

Coos Bay is west of the Coast Range. It is on the windward side of the mountains. There is no barrier to block incoming winds and precipitation from the Pacific Ocean. Therefore, Coos Bay is not impacted by a rain shadow.

Based on the data in the Clouds layer, which of the placemarks, A-E, is located near clouds that are most likely produced by frontal processes?

D

Based on the likelihood for surface heating as a result of surface albedo, over which of the placemarked fields, A-E, is convective cloud development most likely?

D

The warm air and oceans ensure there is abundant water vapor to fuel tropical cyclones. Nonetheless, winds also play a very important role in tropical cyclone development. What are the prevailing winds in the region of the North Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico in which tropical cyclones form?

Northeast trade winds The cyclonic motion of nascent tropical cyclones begins with a wave of low pressure in the easterly trade wind belt of the tropics. Within the Atlantic Basin, the northeast trade winds are responsible for tropical cyclone development.

All tropical cyclones need warm air and water to be sustained. As a tropical cyclone approaches land or experiences cooler temperatures, they will weaken. Locate the hurricane on the surface weather map. Taking into account ocean currents, which answer best describes how the hurricane might change if it moves northeastward, following the Gulf Stream along the east coast of the United States?

The hurricane may strengthen because it will gain more energy from the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. As a hurricane approaches the Gulf Stream and veers northeasterly, the majority of the storm will remain over warm ocean waters. It will continue to obtain energy through the latent heat of evaporation and may strengthen. For instance, in 2012 Hurricane Sandy intensified over the Gulf Stream before making landfall with devastating consequences.

Which of the following statements is best supported by the data in the two data layers in the Water Vapor folder?

The lower Indus River valley exhibits significant fluctuations in water vapor between the two datasets.

In this part, you will explore how relative humidity affects you every day with real-world examples. The air temperature and the relative humidity of the air can often impact the perceived temperature one feels, the rates and amount of condensation, or how quickly food spoils. To better understand these concepts, consider the following scenarios. You will sort each real-world scenario with its respective level of humidity.

The relative humidity of the air impacts our everyday lives, whether humans are consciously aware of it or not. When the temperature and relative humidity are high, people often perceive the temperature as more uncomfortable (e.g., the heat index). Relative humidity even affects the rate at which mold forms on food. Humans often attempt to adjust the relative humidity and temperature of the air through the climate control (e.g., a climate-controlled food storage unit). High: sweating profusely, foggy mirror, jet engines, dew deposits Low to average: Wet clothes, feeling comfortable outside long a lakeshore on a hot summer day, food storage no mold.

In the United States, during what months are tornadoes most likely to occur?

Tornadoes are most like to occur during the months of April and May, when the Earth's tilt enhances the differences in pressure and temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere. All over the Northern Hemisphere spring is the season for volatile storms.

How do tornadoes form?

Tornadoes form when warm moist air is lifted, causing an updraft. Moisture condenses into clouds and forms a thunderstorm. Tornadoes form when the rotating cylinders of air within the thunderstorms get caught by an updraft and are knocked on their side. Most tornadoes form from thunderstorms where cold and warm air masses meet.

What happens when there are extreme differences in air pressure and temperatures?

When there are extreme differences in air pressure and temperatures, violent storms often occur, including hailstorms and tornadoes. Warmer and cooler air masses are in constant motion because the atmopshere is trying to equalize temperatures and pressure. When there are extreme differences in air pressure and temperatures, violent storms are common

What is hail?

updraft cooled rapidly, water condensed out of the air turning immediately into ice Hail is a form of precipitation that occurs when an updraft transports water droplets to very cold air aloft. These droplets then freeze into ice. The longer the ice is carried in the updraft, the larger it grows until it becomes so heavy it falls to the ground. Hail forms in violent thunderstorms. The stronger the updraft, the larger the hail.