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Atoc > Midterm > Flashcards

Midterm Flashcards

1
Q

How is Temperature defined?

A

A measure of the average speed that molecules move in a substance

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2
Q

What units for temperature are used in meteorology in the United States?

A

Fahrenheit and Celsius

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3
Q

Where/when is Fahrenheit used in the United States?

A

For the surface

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4
Q

Where/When is Celsius used in the United States?

A

For the upper air

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5
Q

How does air temperature change with height in the troposphere?

A

decreases with hight in the troposphere.

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6
Q

How does air temperature change with height in the stratosphere?

A

Increases with the hight of the stratosphere

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7
Q

What is the tropopause?

A

Boundary layer between the troposphere and stratosphere

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8
Q

How does the altitude of the tropopause affect the hight of clouds in the troposphere?

A

It prevents vertical motions from moving into the stratosphere.

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9
Q

Do clouds grow any taller beyond the tropopause, into the stratosphere?

A

No, the tropopause is a cap/lid on the atmosphere.

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10
Q

How is atmospheric pressure defined?

A

Atmospheric pressure is the force applied by air on a unit area of surface. (Example - the pressure is higher in Chicago, than it is in Denver)

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11
Q

What units of pressure do meteorologists use?

A

Millibar (mb)

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12
Q

What is the value of the average sea level pressure?

A

1013.25

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13
Q

What does it mean when we say air is saturated?

A

The atmosphere cannot contain any more water vapor without condensation happening.

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14
Q

What is Relative Humidity?

A

Water vapor in the atmosphere, relative(along with) the atmospheres capacity for moisture, at the current temperature. (Example- The same size bucket)

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15
Q

What is dew point temperature?

A

The lowest temperature to which air can be cooled at constant pressure before saturation occurs

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16
Q

What is the value of Relative Humidity if the dew point temperature equals the air temperature?

A

100%

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17
Q

What is latent heat?

A

A “Hidden Heat” required for a phase change

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18
Q

What is wind?

A

The movement of air

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19
Q

What is the convention for reporting wind direction?

A

The direction from which the wind is blowing

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20
Q

In what units are wind speed reported?

A

Knots typically

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21
Q

What do wind barbs represent on a map?

A

Wind speed

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22
Q

Over what altitude range does most of Earths weather occur?

A

In the troposphere, the layer of the atmosphere between the ground and approximately 12 km

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23
Q

What are the basic properties of the atmosphere used in describing weather?

A 
Basic properties include: 
Temperature
Pressure
Density
Moisture content
Wind speed and direction
Visibility
Cloud cover
Precipitation rate
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24
Q

Describe how temperature can be used to define payers of the atmosphere?

A

Temperature varies with altitude.

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25
Q

What parts of the atmosphere decreases with altitude?

A

Troposphere

Mesosphere

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26
Q

What parts of the atmosphere increases with altitude?

A

Stratosphere

Thermosphere

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27
Q

How does the height of the tropopause change with latitude?

A

The tropopause is located at higher altitudes in the tropics and lower altitudes in the polar region

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28
Q

When is the tropopause higher from the surface?

A

In the Tropics

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29
Q

When is the Tropopause lower to the surface?

A

In the Polar Regions

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30
Q

What limits the depth of storm clouds?

A

The tropopause (Example - the storms are taller in the tropic regions than the polar regions.)

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31
Q

As you move upward away from the Earths surface, does the pressure increase, decrease or remain constant?

A

The air pressure ALWAYS decreases as you move upward away from earth.

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32
Q

If a map shows pressures across the contiguous United States, in that geographic location would the lowest pressures be ground?

A

Lowest pressures would be found at the highest elevations. In the United States this would be in the Rocky mountains

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33
Q

Why are maps of station pressure not very useful for meteorologists?

A

When meteorologists want to identify where storms are developing or occurring, A station pressure map would only indicate low pressure over mountains and not identify low pressure systems in other regions of the country.

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34
Q

What is it meant by sea level pressure?

A

Sea level is the altitude to which all station pressure measurements are corrected. (1013.25)

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35
Q

Define vapor pressure?

A

It is the force exerted by water vapor molecules on a unit area.

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36
Q

What is saturation vapor pressure?

A

The vapor pressure when that air is saturated at a given temperature.

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37
Q

Define Saturation?

A

The condition where air contains the maximum amount of water vapor for a given temperature and pressure.

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38
Q

What atmospheric variable determines the maximum amount of moisture that can be present in air?

A

Temperature (From which you can find saturation vapor pressure)

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39
Q

can you find the saturation vapor pressure from temperature?

A

Yes

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40
Q

What two variables describe the absolute amount of moisture in the air?

A

Vapor Pressure

Dew Point Temperature

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41
Q

How does relative humidity typically change over the course of a day?

A

Relative humidity is typically highest in the morning, and lowest in the afternoon.

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42
Q

Why is relative humidity highest in the morning?

A

When the temperature is the lowest (RH high percentage)

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43
Q

Why is relative humidity lowest in the afternoon?

A

When the temperature is the highest (RH Low percentage)

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44
Q

Describe two ways that the relative humidity of air can increase?

A
  • Lowering the air temperature and holding dew point temperature constant
  • Increasing the dew point temperature and holding the temperature constant
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45
Q

What is the relative humidity if the dew point temperature and the air temperature differ substantially?

A

The relative humidity would be low (Small percentage)

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46
Q

What if the temperature and the dew point temperature are close in value?

A

The Relative Humidity would be high (High Percentage)

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47
Q

Latent heat is released to the air during which phase changes?

A

Condensation
Freezing
Deposition

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48
Q

During which phase changes is latent heat removed from the air?

A

Evaporation
Melting
Sublimation

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49
Q

What is the Condensation phase change?

A

Vapor to Water

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50
Q

What is the Freezing Phase change?

A

Condensation to ice

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51
Q

What is the Deposition Phase Change?

A

Vapor to Ice

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52
Q

What is the Evaporation phase change?

A

Water to Vapor

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53
Q

What is the Melting Phase change?

A

Ice to Water

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54
Q

What is the Sublimation phase change?

A

Ice to Vapor

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55
Q

What are synoptic measurements?

A

Ones that are made simultaneously

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56
Q

How are synoptic measurements coordinated for simultaneous measurement?

A

UTC

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57
Q

What is a rawinsonde?

A

A Baloon-borne instrument package used to make measurements of atmospheric conditions above the surface.

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58
Q

How frequently does a rawinsonde provide information?

A

Launched twice a day (Every 12 hrs at 0000UTC and 12000UTC)

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59
Q

How many times a day are rawinsonde’s launched?

A

2 times

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60
Q

At what times of the day are rawinsonde’s launched?

A

0000UTC, and 1200UTC

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61
Q

What atmospheric variables does a rawinsonde measure?

A

Temperature
Dew-point Temperature
Wind direction
Wind Speed

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62
Q

What atmospheric variables does a radar monitor?

A

Precipitation
Elevation
Location

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63
Q

What atmospheric variables does a Doppler Radar monitor?

A

Precipitation
Elevation
Location
Wind direction, based on where the precipitation is being pushed.

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64
Q

How does a Radar determine rainfall rates?

A

The intensity of the returned microwave signal to the radar receiver is proportional to the rate the rain is falling.

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65
Q

In addition to rainfall rates and the elevation and location of precipitation, what els does a doppler radar measure?

A

The frequency shift of returned energy, which is related to the wind along the beam (Toward or away from the Radar) (Example - things coming towards you has a smaller frequency, and things going away from you have a larger waver length.)

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66
Q

What is a wind profiler?

A

Another type of doppler radar that operates in very high frequency and ultra high frequency radio bands.

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67
Q

What information does a wind profiler provide?

A

Gives measurements of the vertical variation of wind speed and direction

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68
Q

what conditions do wind profilers work best?

A

Clear sky conditions

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69
Q

What conditions do Doppler radars pick anything up?

A

Rain
Ice
Snow
Bugs

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70
Q

What are the three primary channels used to create weather satellite images from Geostationary satellites?

A

Visible Channel
Infrared Channel
Water Vapor Channel

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71
Q

How do commercial aircraft contribute to weather data collection?

A

Each aircraft send data during take off, landing, and in flight

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72
Q

What is it that the Commercial aircrafts measure?

A

The jet stream at (300mb)

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73
Q

What important information does the National Lightning Detection Network provide?

A

Maps lightning strikes across the entire US, If lightning strikes we know about it

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74
Q

What is it important for the National Lightning Detection Network provides the info important?

A

Important in forested areas to assist with forrest fire detection and control.

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75
Q

What is the advantage of making measurements of atmospheric properties simultaneously?

A

Allows for examination of large weather systems and the construction of weather maps.

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76
Q

How do you convert from Universal Coordinated Time to your local time?

A

Answers will vary. For Colorado subtract 700 from UTC during standard NON daylight savings time, and Subtract 600 during daylight savings.

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77
Q

When do you subtract 700 from UTC in Colorado?

A

During NON daylight savings, standard time.

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78
Q

When do you subtract 600 from UTC in Colorado?

A

Durning Daylight savings time.

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79
Q

What is a meteogram?

A

The Graphical display of a surface weather data for a single location over a period of time.

80
Q

How long of a time frame does a Meteogram typically show?

A

Typically Hourly data, for several hours.

81
Q

What layers of the atmosphere does a rawinsonde sample during its ascent?

A

Entire Troposphere

Lower Stratosphere

82
Q

Typically, at how many millibars does a rawinsonde’s balloon explode?

A

Around 100mb

83
Q

What is a sounding?

A

A vertical measurement of atmospheric properties

84
Q

What tool is used in order to make a sounding graph?

A

A Rawinsonde

85
Q

What does a sounding graph show about the atmosphere?

A 
Temperatures
Dew Point Temperatures
Pressure
Wind Speeds
Wind Direction
86
Q

How does a weather Radar detect precipitation?

A

The Radar transmitter sends out pulses of microwave energy, when the energy bounces off of something it will bounce back to the radar antenna and display as an image

87
Q

What information does a radar reflectivity image provide?

A

Rainfall Rate
Different Intensities
Where its occurring

88
Q

What do the hot colors (reds, yellows) typically represent on a radar reflectivity image when the radar is in precipitation mode?

A

Hot Colors on the radar reflectivity image indicates intense rain or hail

89
Q

What information does a radar radial velocity image provide?

A

Shows wind (along the beam…towards or away from the radar)

90
Q

What four characteristics of precipitation can Doppler radar detect?

A 
Distance to precipitation
Altitude
Geographic Location of precipitation
Intensity and accumulated totals of precipitation
Speed of wind toward or away radar
91
Q

For a Doppler Radar, can it depict if something is going side to side?

A

No, it can only depict if something is going away or toward it.

92
Q

What does a Wind profiler detect?

A

Measures wind speeds and direction

93
Q

In what conditions does a Wind Profiler work best?

A

Clear sky conditions

94
Q

How high up can a wind profiler measure?

A

around 10 miles high

95
Q

How have Doppler Radars and wind profilers revolutionized our ability to observe winds aloft?

A

Prior to Doppler Radars and Wind Profillers, the only way to obtain winds aloft was rawinsonde.

96
Q

Why is it not preferred to use a rawinsonde to observe winds aloft?

A

Because rawinsonde’s are very expensive and infrequent

97
Q

Why is it better to use Doppler Radars, and Wind Profilers to observe winds aloft?

A

Because they provide the data more frequently and continually.

98
Q

What is a vertical Wind Profile?

A

Depiction of the wind speed and direction at various altitudes in the atmosphere over a single location.

99
Q

What is a Geostationary Orbit?

A

When a satellite has the same rotational velocity as Earth on Earth equatorial plane, Thus it looks at the same spot on Earth continuously.

100
Q

What is a weather satellite measuring when it creates a Visible image?

A

It measures reflected light.

101
Q

What is a weather satellite measuring when it creates a Infrared image?

A

The Infrared radiation emitted from Earth surface and cloud tops.

102
Q

What is a weather satellite measuring when it creates a Water Vapor Image?

A

It measures Radiation measured from water vapor

103
Q

If a cloud is dark on an infrared image but bright on a visible image, is this a high or low cloud?

A

This would be a low cloud, because lower clouds are warmer. For a visible image the cloud would be brighter because of the reflected Sun light.

104
Q

Where is temperature on a Surface Station Model?

A

Upper left

105
Q

What type of temperature measurements are used for a Surface Station Model?

A

(F)

106
Q

Where is the Dew point Temperature on a Surface Station Model?

A

Lower Left

107
Q

Where is the Wind Speed on a Surface Station Model?

A

Indicated by the barbs on the end of the staff.

108
Q

How do you know the wind direction on a Surface Station Model?

A

However the wind Barb is pointed at.

109
Q

On a Wind barb what does the long line mean?

A

10 Knots

110
Q

On a Wind Barb, What does a short line mean?

A

5 knots

111
Q

On a wind barb, what does a triangle indicate?

A

50 Knots

112
Q

Where is the Sea Level Pressure on a surface Station Model?

A

On the upper right

113
Q

What is contouring?

A

The act of drawing lines of constant value for a variable on a map.

114
Q

How does Contouring simplify the reading of Weather Maps?

A

Countered maps readily show areas of high and low values making it easy to see patterns, maximum and minimum values in the variable field.

115
Q

What are contour lines of constant pressure called?

A

Isobars

116
Q

What are contour lines of Constant Temperature called?

A

Isotherms

117
Q

What are contour lines of Constant Dew Point Temperature called?

A

Isodrosotherms

118
Q

How are topographic maps of Earths surface similar to constant pressure maps of the upper atmosphere?

A

Both depict a three dimensional surface on a two dimensional plane.

119
Q

How does the upper air station model differ from the surface station model?

A

The Temperature is in Celsius

Dew point depression is in Celsius (Not Dew Point Tempo)

120
Q

How is the Temperature different in a Upper air Station Model, than a Surface Station Model?

A

The Temp is in Celsius, NOT F

121
Q

How is the Dew point different in a Upper Air Station Model, vs a Surface Station Model?

A

The Dew point depression is used, NOT the Dew point Temperature.

122
Q

What constant pressure maps might you examine to locate the jet stream?

A

300mb
250mb
200mb

123
Q

What constant pressure maps might you examine to locate Fronts?

A

850mb

124
Q

What information does a cross section provide that is different from an upper level map or a surface map?

A

A cross section shows conditions from the surface upwards for a slice of the atmosphere, rather than conditions at one level.

125
Q

How would you identify a strong temperature gradient on a surface map?

A

Where the contour lines are closely spaced together

126
Q

How would you identify a strong pressure gradient on a surface map?

A

Where the contour lines are closely spaced together

127
Q

Is it true, that if your looking for a strong temperature, and pressure gradient, you would find them both where the contour lines are closely spaced together.

A

This is true

128
Q

What is a staff for a Station Model?

A

the line the Wind Barbs are on.

129
Q

What are wind barbs for a Station Model?

A

Wind barbs are the lines and flags, on the Staff.

130
Q

Why can pressure be used as a vertical coordinate in Meteorology?

A

Because pressure decreases with an increase in altitude. This gives us an altitude.

131
Q

At What (mb) levels are constant pressure maps typically available?

A 
850
700
500
300
250
200
132
Q

How do upper level troughs and ridges appear on a constant height map compared to a constant pressure map?

A

They appear the same. Low heights on a constant pressure map are the same as low pressures on a constant height map.

133
Q

Is the slope of the 500 mb surface steeper during the Northern Hemisphere in the Winter?

A

Yes, it is steeper in the winter.

134
Q

Why is the slope of the 500mb surface steeper in the winter, and not summer?

A

Larger low level temperature gradients will result in larger height differentials for the same pressure level, leading to a greater slope of the pressure surface.

135
Q

Will larger low level temperature gradients result in larger height differentials for the same pressure level?

A

Yes

136
Q

What is the Dewpoint Depression?

A

The difference between the temperature and the dewpoint temperature (Exc - if the temp is 70 and dewpoint temp is 20, the dewpoint depression is 50)

137
Q

What information does the dewpoint depression provide about the atmosphere?

A

Provides information of how nearly saturated the air is, a small dewpoint depression means high Relative Humidity.

138
Q

What are the key features of interest on a 850 mb map?

A

locations of frontal boundaries, Low Level Jet

139
Q

What are the key features of interest on a 300mb map?

A

Location of jetstream, jetstreaks

140
Q

What is a cross section?

A

A diagram of the atmosphere oriented in a vertical plane. like slicing a cake and looking at the layers within.

141
Q

What is a numerical weather prediction?

A

Way of predicting future weather, using mathematical models based on physics, and solved on a computer.

142
Q

What does a computer model consist of?

A

Interconnected set of mathematical equations describing the atmospheres behavior.

143
Q

What are the three main factors that cause Numerical Weather Prediction forecasts to degrade as the forecast range lengthens?

A

Inadequate to resolve small scale storms, or topography.

144
Q

What is ensemble forecasting?

A

A model run repeatedly for the same case but with slight changes, to predict accuracy of the forecasts.

145
Q

What is the main reason for improved accuracy of weather forecasts in recent decades?

A

More powerful computers that lead to better resolutions and equations that were more accurate.

146
Q

What are some of the physical processes that numerical models must account for in order to have accurate forecasts?

A

Friction

Radiation passing through the atmosphere

147
Q

What role do grids have in relation to observational data used to initialize a computer model?

A

Data that are used in a computer model must be interpolated in a grid format.

148
Q

Explain how computer models can approximate complex terrain?

A

Computer models use a process that breaks complex terrain into blocks, estimating the average height within the block.

149
Q

How are rawinsonde measurements used when a computer model makes a forecast?

A

Data from rawinsonde’s are used to initialize input to computer models (Observations to start your prediction from.)

150
Q

Why do grids of high resolution models generally cover only a limited area, rather than the entire earth?

A

Because the calculations take a very long time, and would be useless by the time the computer did the entire earth.

151
Q

What is the trade off of a high resolution grid computer model?

A

It takes a longer time, but you have better images

152
Q

What is the trade off os a low resolution grid computer model?

A

It is much faster, but less accurate.

153
Q

What is it meant by “Parameterization” in numerical models?

A

Means the approximation the processes in the atmosphere, rather than the exact details.

154
Q

Why to operational weather predictions have worse resolution than wed like?

A

Because Operational Weather forecast models do not have sufficient computing capacity to predict in time for the forecast. Forecasters have limited time.

155
Q

If computing capabilities were unlimited would Numerical Weather Predictions be perfect?

A

no, Because the initial numbers are predictions, and approximations.

156
Q

What is the significance of instability with respect of thunderstorms?

A

Instability determines the location and intensity of convective storms in the atmosphere.

157
Q

What is an adiabatic process?

A

When a Air Parcel does not mix with its environment or exchange heat energy with its environment.

158
Q

Does the temperature of an Air Parcel change during an Adiabatic Process?

A

Yes, only because of pressure change.

159
Q

What is the value of a Dry Adiabatic Laps Rate?

A

10 C/km

160
Q

What is the value of a Moist Adiabatic Laps Rate?

A

6 C/km

161
Q

Does the Dry Adiabatic Laps Rate happen under, or over the Moist Adiabatic Laps Rate?

A

It Happens Under the Most Adiabatic Laps Rate

162
Q

When you have a descending air parcel does it remain saturated a tall?

A

No, They never remain saturated during decent.

163
Q

What is the name of the Laps Rate obtained from rawinsonde measurements?

A

The Environmental Laps Rate

164
Q

When looking at atmospheric stability, is warm air more or less dense than cold air?

A

Warm air is less dense than cold air.

165
Q

When looking at atmospheric stability, is cold air more or less dense than cold air?

A

Cold air is more dense that Warm air.

166
Q

When looking at atmospheric stability, When Air Parcels are displaced upward that become more dense than their environment, what happens?

A

They will return to their original position, indicating a stable environment.

167
Q

When looking at atmospheric stability, when Air Parcels are displaces upward and become less dense than their environment, what happens?

A

will accelerate away from their original position indicating an unstable environment.

168
Q

When an air parcel is warmer than its surrounding environment, and keeps going up, is that stable or unstable?

A

Unstable.

169
Q

When an air parcel is cooler than its surrounding environment, and goes back to its original position, is that stable or unstable?

A

Stable

170
Q

As the environmental lapse rate becomes larger, does the atmosphere become more stable or less stable?

A

Less stable, because the environmental temperature will decrease with height at a warmer rate with a large laps rate. This means that a rising parcel is more likely to be warmer than the surrounding environment and more likely to rise.

171
Q

What is it meant be “Conditional Instability?”

A

In order to have instability, the Air Parcel has to be saturated. (Unsaturated air parcels will be stable, saturated air parcels will be unstable.)

172
Q

What is the “Lifting Condensation Level” Mean?

A

The altitude where condensation first occurs when an air parcel is lifted from the surface. (This would be the cloud bases)

173
Q

Where is the “Lifting Condensation Level” located on a cloud?

A

The cloud base.

174
Q

What is the level of free convection?

A

The altitude where a rising air parcel becomes boyant

175
Q

Where is the “Level Of Free Convection” compared to the “Lifting Condensation Level?”

A

The Level of free convection is higher than the Lifting Condensation Level.

176
Q

What are the 4 ways air parcels can be lifted?

A

Fronts
Sea Breeze
Topography
Convergence at low levels

177
Q

How does the heating of the ground by sunlight affect the stability of the lower atmosphere?

A

Increases the environmental laps rate, and makes the air less stable.

178
Q

What does it mean if the air is Stable?

A

If vertically displaced air returns to its original environment

179
Q

What does it mean if the air is unstable?

A

if vertically displaced air continues to move vertically in the direction of the displacement.

180
Q

What is Convection?

A

Buoyant vertical air currents within the atmosphere, often resulting in the formation of cumulus clouds, or thunderstorms.

181
Q

What can convection make in the environment?

A

Cumulus clouds or thunderstorms.

182
Q

What is meant by the term Air Parcel?

A

a small volume of air that is assumed to retain its identity as it moves through the atmosphere. Think of it as a balloon.

183
Q

What do the inflation of a tire and the descent of an air parcel have in common?

A

Both involve in compression which warms air.

184
Q

If you compress an air parcel, does it make it warmer?

A

Yes

185
Q

Why does an Air Parcel cool as it rises?

A

Because they encounter lower pressure, which cools it.

186
Q

Which of the following is constant: Dry Adiabatic Laps Rate, Moist Adiabatic Laps Rate, Environmental Laps Rate?

A

Dry adiabatic laps rate, because its a constant 10 C/km

187
Q

What does a Air Parcel do when vertically displaced in a stable environment?

A

Return to its original position

188
Q

What does a Air Parcel do when vertically displaced in a unstable environment?

A

Accelerate away from its original position

189
Q

What does a Air Parcel do when vertically displaces in a neutral environment?

A

Remain at its new position.

190
Q

Why is an inversion indicative of a stable layer in the atmosphere?

A

At the tropopause, when the environmental temperature starts to rise, the air parcel will cool and fall back to its original position, making for a stable atmosphere.

191
Q

If the environmental lapse rate in the lower troposphere is approximately 5 Ckm would you expect strong convection to develop?

A

No, because the saturated, or unsaturated Air Parcel will be colder than its environment, and return to its original position.

192
Q

Is the atmosphere likely to be more unstable in the mid afternoon or in early morning?

A

Mid afternoon, because the sun will heat up the surface and make the air less buoyant,

193
Q

What is the lifting condensation level?

A

is the altitude at which condensation first occurs in a lifted air parcel, (Where the air cooled enough to reach its dew point.

194
Q

What is the level of free convection?

A

The level of free convection is the altitude at which a lifted air parcel first becomes buoyant and can rise on its own.

195
Q

What are 5 ways an air parcel can be brought to its level of free convection?

A 
Lifting along a cold front
Lifting along a sea breeze
Lifting Along topography
Low level convergence
Solar heating of air near the surface
196
Q

Why are cumulonimbus clouds less common in the winter than in summer in the United States?

A

Because the surface is cooler in the winter, its harder for parcels to become buoyant, because they get cooler than the environment faster.

197
Q

What does Lifted Index mean?

A

How fast the air parcel is going up

Atoc (23 decks)

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