Chapter 16- Tropical Meteorology

Question 1

42.38.2
Interpret a simplified diagram of the tropical Hadley Cells (one in each hemisphere)
showing the pattern of horizontal mixing in mid and high latitudes of both
hemispheres.

Answer 1

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Question 2

42.38.4

Explain what is meant by: (a) meteorological (or thermal) equator;

Answer 2

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Question 3

42.38.4

Explain what is meant by: (b) equatorial trough;

Answer 3

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Question 4

42.38.4

Explain what is meant by: (c) intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) ;

Answer 4

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Question 5

42.38.4

Explain what is meant by: (d) South Pacific convergence zone.

Answer 5

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Question 6

42.38.6
Describe the seasonal location of the equatorial trough, and explain the reasons for the
change in location.

Answer 6

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Question 7

42.38.8
State the region where maximum convergence, convection and cloud developments are
found relative to the equatorial trough.

Answer 7

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Question 8

42.38.10
Describe the essential difference between ‘equatorial trough’ and ‘inter-tropical
convergence zone’.

Answer 8

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Question 9

42.38.12
Describe the weather, icing, turbulence and cloud-related factors commonly associated
with an: (a) ‘active’ ITCZ;

Answer 9

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Question 10

42.38.12
Describe the weather, icing, turbulence and cloud-related factors commonly associated
with an: (b) ‘inactive’ ITCZ.

Answer 10

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Question 11

42.38.14
Describe the origin, preferred location, and characteristics of the South Pacific
Converge Zone.

Answer 11

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Question 12

42.38.16
With the aid of diagrams, explain the following aspects of the ‘trade winds’ in both
hemispheres of the Pacific Ocean: (a) flow pattern;

Answer 12

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Question 13

42.38.16
With the aid of diagrams, explain the following aspects of the ‘trade winds’ in both
hemispheres of the Pacific Ocean: (b) anti-cyclonic subsidence and associated meteorological conditions;

Answer 13

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Question 14

42.38.16
With the aid of diagrams, explain the following aspects of the ‘trade winds’ in both
hemispheres of the Pacific Ocean: (c) approximate horizontal and vertical limits;

Answer 14

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Question 15

42.38.16
With the aid of diagrams, explain the following aspects of the ‘trade winds’ in both
hemispheres of the Pacific Ocean: (d) typical wind velocity normally found above the trade wind zone;

Answer 15

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Question 16

42.38.16
With the aid of diagrams, explain the following aspects of the ‘trade winds’ in both
hemispheres of the Pacific Ocean: (e) seasonal changes in location and their effect on wind direction;

Answer 16

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Question 17

42.38.16
With the aid of diagrams, explain the following aspects of the ‘trade winds’ in both
hemispheres of the Pacific Ocean: (f) typical wind strengths, including variation in strength during the summer and

Answer 17

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Question 18

42.38.16
With the aid of diagrams, explain the following aspects of the ‘trade winds’ in both
hemispheres of the Pacific Ocean: (g) the effect of the trade winds on the weather experienced in island groups and
northern Australia.

Answer 18

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Question 19

42.38.18

Describe the following disturbances experienced in tropical latitudes: (a) individual cumulus disturbances;

Answer 19

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Question 20

42.38.18

Describe the following disturbances experienced in tropical latitudes: (b) mesoscale convective areas;

Answer 20

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Question 21

42.38.18

Describe the following disturbances experienced in tropical latitudes: (c) wave disturbances.

Answer 21

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Question 22

42.38.20

Describe the factors involved in wet monsoons in terms of: (a) seasonal factors;

Answer 22

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Question 23

42.38.20

Describe the factors involved in wet monsoons in terms of: (b) effect of large land masses and orographic obstructions;

Answer 23

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Question 24

42.38.20

Describe the factors involved in wet monsoons in terms of: (c) the location of the major monsoon regions.

Answer 24

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Question 25

42.38.22
With regard to the formation, development and decay of tropical cyclones, describe
the: (a) relationship with the equatorial trough;

Answer 25

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Question 26

42.38.22
With regard to the formation, development and decay of tropical cyclones, describe
the: (b) requirement for, and supply of, thermal energy;

Answer 26

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Question 27

42.38.22
With regard to the formation, development and decay of tropical cyclones, describe
the: (c) effect of high level divergence;

Answer 27

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Question 28

42.38.22
With regard to the formation, development and decay of tropical cyclones, describe
the: (d) mechanics of formation, and characteristics, of the ‘cyclone eye’;

Answer 28

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Question 29

42.38.22
With regard to the formation, development and decay of tropical cyclones, describe
the: (e) requirement for a ‘warm core’.

Answer 29

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Question 30

42.38.24

State the four stages of development of tropical cyclones.

Answer 30

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Question 31

42.38.26

For each stage of development, describe the: (a) atmospheric pressure tendency;

Answer 31

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Question 32

42.38.26
For each stage of development, describe the: (b) typical wind strengths, including variations in wind velocity in, and either side
of, the cyclone eye;

Answer 32

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Question 33

42.38.26

For each stage of development, describe the: (c) typical radii of the affected areas;

Answer 33

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Question 34

42.38.26
For each stage of development, describe the: (d) associated weather, and the location within the cyclone where the worst
conditions are commonly experienced.

Answer 34

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Question 35

42.38.28

Describe the common causes that lead to the decay of tropical cyclones.

Answer 35

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Question 36

42.38.30

State the season during which tropical cyclones are generally experienced.

Answer 36

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Question 37

42.38.32
Explain what is meant by the Walker Circulation based on the factors involved in the: (a) east of the South Pacific Ocean;

Answer 37

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Question 38

42.38.32
Explain what is meant by the Walker Circulation based on the factors involved in the: (b) west of the South Pacific Ocean.

Answer 38

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Question 39

42.38.34
Define the ENSO Index, describe the factors involved when the index changes from
positive to negative and include the effect of these changes on: (a) prevailing winds in tropical and mid latitude regions;

Answer 39

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Question 40

42.38.34
Define the ENSO Index, describe the factors involved when the index changes from
positive to negative and include the effect of these changes on: (b) meteorological conditions experienced in Australasia.

Answer 40

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Question 41

42.38.36
Describe what is meant by ‘streamline analysis’ and state the reason why this analysis
is necessary in tropical latitudes.

Answer 41

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Question 42

42.38.38
Define ‘isotach’ and demonstrate proficiency in interpreting information provided by
isotachs on a chart.

Answer 42

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Question 43

42.38.40
Interpret examples of streamline patterns commonly shown on streamline charts (e.g.
inflows, outflows etc).
Global Meteorology

Answer 43

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