Final Exam

Question 1

Dry Adiabat

Answer 1

line of constant potential temperature.

Question 2

Isentrope

Answer 2

Line of constant potential temperature

Question 3

4 types of inverions

Answer 3

• Inversions
• Subsidence
• Frontal
• Radiational
• Turbulent

Question 4

Subsidence Inversion

Answer 4

• Dry aloft.
• Sinking air
• Top layer warms more than the bottom
• Associated with anticyclones

Question 5

Frontal Inversion

Answer 5

Deeper layer of moisture.

Associated with “overrunning”

Question 6

CAPE

Answer 6

Convective Available Potential Energy

Energy available to sustain deep convection. Indicator of

Question 7

Stability Indices

Answer 7

• Showalter
• Energy-Helicity
• Bulk-Richardson

Question 8

Showalter Index

Answer 8

T500-Tp500

The more the value decreases the higher the instability and likelihood for thunderstorms.

Question 9

Lifted Index

Answer 9

+ Value -> Stable

• Value -> Unstable

Question 10

Energy-Helicity Index

Answer 10

Values > 3 = Potential for strong-violent tornadoes

Combination of CAPE and Helicity.

Question 11

Bulk-Richardson Number

Answer 11

Values between 10-40 = Supercell potential

> 40 = multicell/squall line

CAPE/Shear

Question 12

4 Methods of estimating vertical motion

Answer 12

Kinematic Method
Adiabatic Method
Vorticity Method
Satellite Infrared

Question 13

Kinematic Method of Estimating Vertical Motion

Answer 13

Vertical motion proportional to divergence aloft

Question 14

Adiabatic Method of Estimating Vertical Motion

Answer 14

Vertical temperature profile

Question 15

Vorticity Method of Estimating Vertical Motion

Answer 15

Change in vorticity with time to estimate vertical motion

Question 16

Satellite Infrared of Estimating Vertical Motion

Answer 16

Changes in cloud top temperatures

Question 17

What is QG theory?

Answer 17

Simplification of the equations of motion for mid-latitude synoptic scale systems.

Question 18

Q-G Diagnosis Equation

Answer 18

Omega Equation

Question 19

Q-G Prognosis Equation

Answer 19

Geopotential Tendency Equation

Question 20

Quasi Geostrophic Significane

Answer 20

Atmosphere attempts to achieve geostrophic and thermal wind balance

Acceleration produced by ageostrophic flow

Question 21

Q-G Limitations

Answer 21

Only an approximation

Problems around fronts and jets

Question 22

QG Omega Equation Solutions

Answer 22

Upward Motion

• Increasing PVA
• WAA

Downward motion

• Increasing NVA
• CAA

Question 23

QG Geopotential Tendency Equation Solutions

Answer 23

Height Falls

• PVA
• Decreasing CAA w/ height

Height Rises

• NVA
• Decreasing WAA w/ height

Question 24

Movement of anticyclones

Answer 24

Towards NVA
Towards CAA
Towards diabatic cooling

Question 25

Movement of cyclones

Answer 25

Towards PVA Towards WAA Towards diabatic heating

Question 26

Trenberth QG Omega

Answer 26

Eliminates uncertainty of PVA/CAA or NVA/WAA Uses thermal wind for vorticity advection

Question 27

Hoskins QG Omega

Answer 27

Q Vector includes vorticity advection and temperature advection

Question 28

ELR Stability

Answer 28

ELR > SLR = Absolutely Stable ELR > DLR = Absoulutely Unstable SLR < ELR < DLR = Conditionally Stable