GEOG Lab V Exercises 16, 17

a) On the lee side of the mountain, is the relative humidity of the parcel increasing or decreasing as it descends from 4000 meters to sea level? b) Why?

a) Decreasing b) Warming increases capacity so relative humidity decreases.

a) On the windward side of the mountain, is the relative humidity of the parcel increasing or decreasing as it rises from sea level to 2000 meters? b) Why?

a) Increasing b) Cooling decreases capacity so relative humidity increases.

a) Assuming that no water vapour is added as the parcel descends down the lee side of the mountain to sea level, is the water vapour content (the mixing ratio) of the parcel higher or lower than before it began to rise over the mountain? b) Why? c) What is the lifting condensation level of this parcel now, after descending to sea level on the lee side of the mountain?

a) Lower b) Water vapour was lost during condensation on windward side. c) 4000 meters

a) On the windward side of the mountain, should the relative humidity of the parcel change as it rises from 2000 m to 4000 m? b) Why?

a) No b) With increased cooling as the air rises, capacity decreases but condensation takes place so relative humidity stays at about 100%.

Calculate the temperature of the parcel at the following elevations as it rises up the windward side of the mountain (exercise 16). a) 1000 m b) 2000 m c) 4000 m

a) 20°C b) 10°C c) -2°C

a) After the parcel of air has descended down the lee side of the mountain to sea level, what is the temperature of the parcel? b) Why is the parcel now warmer than it was at seal level on the windward side (what is the source of the heat energy)?

a) 38°C b) The release of latent heat during condensation reduced the rate of cooling above the LCL on the windward side.

As the air rises up the windward side of the mountain, a) What is the capacity (saturation mixing ratio) of the rising air at 2000 meters? b) What is the capacity of the air at 4000 meters?

a) 7.6 g/kg b) ~3.1 g/kg

A parcel of air with an initial temperature of 35°C begins to rise in Location B. The LCL of the parcel is 2000 meters... a) Will this parcel of air begin to rise from the surface on its own? Why? b) Does the stability of this parcel change with increased elevation? If so, at what elevation does this change occur? c) How would the pattern of stability below 5000 meters be different if the lifting condensation level was not reached until 4500 meters?

a) No, the parcel is cooler than the surrounding air. b) Yes, the rising air is unstable by about 3000 m. c) The air would be stable to at least ~5000 m.

A parcel of air with an initial temperature of 15°C begins to rise in Location A. The LCL of the parcel is 1000 meters... a) Describe the stability pattern of this parcel of air. b) What is the general name for the change observed in the vertical temperature profile between 1000 and 1500 meters? c) Does the parcel of rising air become highly stable or highly unstable between 1000 and 1500 meters? Why?

a) Rising air is stable from surface to 3500 m. b) Temperature inversion c) Highly stable; the parcel is much colder than the surrounding air.

What is the capacity of the air after it has descended back down to sea level on the lee side of the mountain?

~43.1 g/kg