Upper air map interpretation Flashcards
What is a rawinsonde?
air balloon device (measures pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind)
What is the pressure measurement mostly seen at the upper air map?
300 mb, 500 mb, 700mb
At 500mb, what does it have a slope?
warm air being less dense towards the south, air rises, and cold air being less dense, is on the leeward side towards the north
At the slope of the contour, what is happening?
the strongest winds (closely spaced)
What do troughs indicate?
the lower heights of the atmosphere
What do ridges indicate?
the higher heights of the atmosphere
Where do surface lows form?
form downstream of upper air troughs
Where do surface highs form?
form downstream of upper air ridges
What role do jet streams play on upper air maps?
jet streams separate the cold and warm air on upper air maps
In which way does the wind blow on upper air maps?
wind flows parallel to contours (West to East)
