Chapter 8.5 - Synoptic Meteorology Flashcards
Define air-mass?
A body of air which extends over a large area.
Name four air-masses founded in Australia?
- Equatorial (hot).
- Tropical (warm).
- Polar (cool).
- Antarctic (cold).
Name two sources of air-masses in Australia?
- Continental (over land).
- Maritime (over water).
What name is given to an air-mass that begin to move from its source region?
Airstream.
Name four factors which can modify an Airstream?
- Surface Heating/Cooling.
- Orographic Lifting.
- Middle and Upper Level Heating.
- Cooling.
Define Front/Frontal Zone?
The boundary layer between two air-masses with different temperatures.
Name two types of Fronts?
- Cold Front.
- Warm Front.
Define a Cold Front?
Cool air displaces warm air.
Define Warm Front?
Warm air displaces cold air.
Which Frontal System moves faster?
Cold Front.
Air masses moving over warmer surfaces, from colder surfaces become what?
Unstable.
Air masses moving over colder surfaces, from warmer surfaces become?
Stable.
On a weather map, what does a Cold Front look like?
Heavy line with solid barbs pointing in the direction of movement.
On a weather map, what does a Warm Front look like?
Heavy line with solid semicircles pointing in the direction of movement.
On a weather map, what does an Occluded Front look like?
A combination of Cold and Warm Front symbols (barb and semicircle).
What is the scale of a Cold Front slope?
1:50 NM.
Which type of cloud appears in a Cold Front?
Cumuliform Clouds.
Name the three clouds (and abbreviations) which appear in a Cold Front in order?
- Cumulonimbus (CB).
- Nimbostratus (NS).
- Cumulus (CU).
What happens to Wind in a passage of a Cold Front in the southern hemisphere?
The wind backing from NE, N or NW to SW or S.
What happens to Pressure in a passage of a Cold Front in the southern hemisphere?
Rises.
What happens to Temperature in a passage of a Cold Front in the southern hemisphere?
Falls.
What happens to visibility in an approaching Cold Front?
Reduced but improving.
Define Squall Line?
Line or belt of thunderstorms.
Squall Lines produce which kind of Turbulence?
Very Severe.
What is the scale of a Warm Front slope?
1:150 NM.
Which type of cloud appears in a Warm Front?
Stratus Clouds.
Name four clouds (and abbreviations) which appear in a Warm Front in order?
- Cirrus (CI).
- Cirrostratus (CS).
- Altostratus (AS).
- Nimbostratus (NS).
What happens to Wind in a passage of a Warm Front in the southern hemisphere?
The wind will back from N or NE to N or NW.
What happens to Pressure in a passage of a Warm Front in the southern hemisphere?
Falls.
What happens to Temperature in a passage of a Warm Front in the southern hemisphere?
Rises.
What happens to visibility in an approaching Warm Front?
Reduce to poor.
Define Occluded Front?
When a Cold Front overtakes a Warm Front.
What type of weather will occur in an Occluded Front?
Mixture of both Cold and Warm Fronts.
What happens to Wind in a passage of an Occluded Front in the southern hemisphere?
Backs.
What happens to Temperature in a passage of an Occluded Front in the southern hemisphere?
Falls.
