Atmosphere - ITCZ

Question 1

In an ITCZ question, you can be asked to describe the origin and characteristics of the ___ ___, and ___ ___ air masses. (part A)
You can also be asked to describe changing rainfall patterns as you move inland (or ‘in X direction’), and to suggest reasons for the differences. (part B)
We are not bothering with the reasons, as they’re only worth ~3/4 marks.

Answer 1

tropical maritime (mT), tropical continental (cT)

Question 2

Part A
Which two air masses are you to familiarise yourself with?

Answer 2

Tropical Maritime (mT) air mass
Tropical Continental (cT) air mass

Question 3

Describe the origin and weather characteristics of the Tropical Maritime (mT) air mass.
(5 marks)

Answer 3

Origin: Atlantic Ocean
Weather characteristics: warm, high humidity, high precipitation, unstable air
(tropical maritime - comes from sea - unstable as waves move, whereas tropical continental has stable air because ground is stable)

Question 4

Describe the origin and weather characteristics of the Tropical Continental (cT) air mass.
(6 marks)

Answer 4

Origin: Sahara Desert
Weather Characteristics:
Very hot temperature,
stable air,
low humidity,
low precipitation,
poor visibility caused by dust carried by the desert.

Question 5

Part B
‘‘By referring to the position of the ITCZ, describe the changing rainfall patterns as you move inland from point x to point y, and suggest reasons for these differences.’’
What stuff should you yap on about?

Answer 5

1. Which area is wettest/driest? (North or South/East or West)
2. How much rainfall do different areas see? (use names of places, and highlight the differences in rainfall based on location)
3. Describe stuff and highlight the differences between data on graphs - how many months without rain? how high are peaks? how many peaks? which month is peak rainfall in? etc etc.
4. just waffle a bunch and refer to the data they give you.