Debrief Flashcards
What is sky radiation?
Radiation that REACHES EARTH after having been SCATTERED by CLOUDS and AEROSOLS in the atmosphere
What is the link between terrestrial radiation and atmospheric temperature?
The EARTH RADIATES HEAT to the atmosphere through INFRARED RADIATION which is ABSORBED by WATER VAPOUR, CO2, CLOUD DROPLETS which AIDS the WARMING of the ATMOSPHERE
What is an airmass defined by?
HORIZONTAL UNIFORMITY of TEMPERATURE, MOISTURE content and TEMPERATURE LAPSE RATE
What are the weather conditions likely to be experienced in Australia during cold advection?
COLD AIRMASS arriving in WARMER REGION;
COLD AIRMASS originating in ANTARTICA travels to AUSTRALASIA;
COLLECTS MOISTURE over WARM OCEANS;
Becomes UNSTABLE when a MASS REACHES LAND ie: ELR STEEPENS;
LARGE CLOUD formations off COAST, LARGE PRECIPITATION on LAND;
As it MOVES INLAND, LOSES MOISTURE and MODIFIES to WARM AIRMASS
What is the seasonal location of the equatorial trough?
Why does it change throughout the year?
The THERMAL EQUATOR shifts NORTH and SOUTH with seasons;
EQUATORIAL TROUGH migrates in SIMILAR but NOT IDENTICAL;
MAY - OCTOBER: ENTIRE TROUGH in NORTHERN hemisphere but DIFFERING INTENSITY depending on TERRAIN;
NOVEMBER - APRIL: MOSTLY SOUTHERN hemisphere EXCEPT MID-PACIFIC and sometimes CENTRAL ATLANTIC due to SPECIFIC HEAT DIFFERENCES between WATER and LAND
What is the cause of the South Pacific convergence zone?
SEMI-STATIONARY ANTICYCLONIC system in the EASTERN PACIFIC where the SOUTH EASTERLIES become NORTH EASTERLIES to the WESTERN PACIFIC;
ANTICYCLONES originating and TRAVELLING EAST from AUSTRALIA/NZ where the SOUTH EASTERLIES extend into the WESTERN PACIFIC
What are the vertical limits of the trade winds?
What are the horizontal limits?
VERTICAL: SURFACE to 8000ft;
HORIZONTAL: 30°N of EQUATOR and 30°S of EQUATOR
What is the seasonal location and direction of the trade winds?
Trade winds will be influenced by the movement of the equatorial trough;
Winds converging on the ET subject to directional change if the cross the equatorial equator;
Easterlies originating in one hemisphere can veer to become Westerlies if the cross the geographic equator
What are the conditions for radiation fog to form?
A high relative humidity;
A clear sky;
A light wind;
A generally stable atmosphere
What are the conditions of radiation and advection fog?
Radiation fog usually disburses after sunrise whereas advection fog can last for days and even weeks under some circumstances;
Radiation fog normally requires anticyclonic or col conditions whereas advection fog does not necessarily require this.
Describe what a lapse rate graph would look like for an absolutely stable, absolutely unstable and conditionally stable atmosphere
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Why is it hazardous to fly below the base of a mature thunderstorm when the base of the CBE is high?
Evaporating precipitation cools and accelerates the downdraught.
What is the development process of orographic thunderstorms?
Unstable moist air force to rise over mountainous terrain
Afternoon heat of summer and autumn may aggravate conditions
Can persevere if unstable moist air is continuously supplied
Precipitation can be very heavy due to high moisture content of cloud
What effect does New Zealand’s latitudinal position have upon the climate of the country
New Zealand spans some 13 degrees of latitude resulting in a Sub-tropical climate in the North;
The remainder of the North Island experiences greater fluctuations of temperature while the South Island lies well within the westerly belts making it more susceptible to passing fronts.
Where does the equatorial trough sit in relation to the ITCZ?
Approximately 2 degrees further from the equatorial trough
