Final 2024 Flashcards

1
Q

w

A

vertical velocity

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2
Q

(T or F) The omega equation is derived from the OG vorticity and thermodynamic equations

A

True

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3
Q

Compressibility

A

The physical mechanism of an acoustic (sound) wave

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4
Q

Conservation of potential vorticity

A

The physical mechanism of a Rossby wave

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5
Q

Buoyancy

A

the physical mechanism of a gravity wave

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6
Q

If a wave is dispersive, it’s speed depends on

A

wavelength

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7
Q

(T or F) An extratropical cyclone can be considered to be a type of baroclinic Rossby wave

A

True

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8
Q

Extratropical cyclones develop due to

A

baroclinic instability

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9
Q

Which condition will a mid-level ridge grow?

A

warm advection under the ridge

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10
Q

The speed of the barotropic Rossby wave is determined by:

A

zonal wind speed, wavelength, latitude

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11
Q

Equation Newton’s 2nd law is based from

A

Momentum Eq

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12
Q

The equation of State is based from

A

Ideal Gas Law

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13
Q

Equation Conservation of Mass is based from

A

Continuity Equation

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14
Q

Equation 1st Law of Thermo is based from

A

Thermodynamic Eq.

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15
Q

Effective gravity =

A

Gravity + centrifugal

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16
Q

Changes in wind over time =

A

PGF + gravity + friction + Coriolis

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17
Q

Time change for a parcel =

A

Time change at a location - advection

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18
Q

∇ (dot) V

A

Divergence of wind, divergence

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19
Q

∇T

A

Gradient of T, spatial change

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20
Q

∇ X V

A

curl of wind, rotation

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21
Q

-V (dot) ∇T

A

advection of T

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22
Q

Thermal wind =

A

hydrostatic + geostrophic

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23
Q

Hypsometric Equation

A

thickness is proportional to temperature

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24
Q

What is the thickness of an atmospheric layer proportional to?

A

The average temperature of the layer

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25
Q

What is the simplest explanation for the movement of troughs and ridges?

A

Vorticity Advection

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26
Q

What can be calculated from vorticity?

A

winds and the heigh fields can be approximated

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27
Q

What does potential vorticity combine?

A

QG vorticity and thermodynamics

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28
Q

What does the vertical component of the vorticity vector correspond to?

A

Horizontal rotation

29
Q

What is the most important aspect of rotation for synoptic scale flow?

A

Horizontal rotation

30
Q

meridional momentum symbol?

A

v

31
Q

zonal momentum symbol>

A

u

32
Q

Absolute vorticity tendency:

A

rate of change of the vertical component of absolute vorticity following the flow

33
Q

What does potential vorticity consider?

A

both rotation and how mass is distributed relative to the axis of rotation

34
Q

What kind of relationship is between the height of the column and local stability?

A

inverse relationship

35
Q

What can Potential vorticity be considered as?

A

absolute vorticity multiplied by static stability or absolute vorticity divided by height of the column

36
Q

Rotation/heigh stays constant with:

A

incompressible, mass conserving columns

37
Q

What contributes to relative vorticity?

A

shear vorticity and curvature vorticity

38
Q

What can be calculated when conditions are near geostrophic?

A

winds, vorticity, temperature, vertical velocity, height changes

39
Q

What is conserved during large-scale conditions?

A

potential vorticity

40
Q

What is conserved during non-divergent conditions?

A

absolute vorticity

41
Q

what is conserved during non-divergent, no rotation conditions?

A

Relative vorticity

42
Q

Potential Vorticity:

A

the relationship between the divergence/convergence and height of column

43
Q

Vorticity equation describes:

A

changes in geopotential on a pressure level

44
Q

thermodynamic equation describes:

A

changes in Geopotential between levels

45
Q

Lows:

A

positive vorticity (NH)

46
Q

Highs:

A

negative vorticity (NH)

47
Q

Smaller waves =

A

bigger vorticity

48
Q

What does the Q-vector describe?

A

change in gradient of potential temperature following the geostrophic flow

49
Q

What is the LHS of a traditional Omega Eq?

A

diff vorticity advection and lap temp advection

50
Q

What is the LHS of the omega equation in thermal wind form?

A

vort advection by thermal wind

51
Q

what is the LHS of the omega equation in Q-vector form?

A

Divergence of Q-vector

52
Q

Fourier Series:

A

can build any well-behaved function out of just sines and cosines

53
Q

Group velocity and phase velocity:

A

groups of waves can move at different speeds (and in different directions) than individual waves

54
Q

Refraction:

A

changes in the speed of a wave determine its direction as well. If you know what determines the wave speed, you know what determines its directions as well

55
Q

Dispersive wave:

A

has a speed that depends on wavelength, Any initial disturbance that is a sum of these waves will lose its structure because all the waves will move away at different speeds (disperse)

56
Q

Adiabatic compressibility of air is a example of what wave?

A

acoustic wave

57
Q

Parcel buoyancy of air is a example of what wave?

A

gravity waves

58
Q

conservation of potential vorticity of air is a example of what wave?

A

Rossby waves

59
Q

Coriolis force of air is a example of what wave?

A

inertial oscillations

60
Q

Buoyancy and the Coriolis force of air is a example of what wave?

A

inertio-gravity waves

61
Q

Rossby wave mechanism:

A

conservation of potential vorticity

62
Q

Rossby wave speed:

A

determined by PV gradient and wavenumber

63
Q

Rossby wave Meteorological importance:

A

planetary waves, synoptic storms, large-scale orographic forcing, El Niño teleconnections, Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW)

64
Q

Barotropic RW:

A

horizontal movement at single level

65
Q

Baroclinic RW:

A

interaction between different levels, can have horizontal and vertical movement

66
Q

Speed and direction of RW’s are controlled by:

A

mean wind, latitude, and wavenumber

67
Q

Positive feedback for baroclinic instability if:

A

there is westward tilt with height

68
Q

Vorticity advection with upper level troughs and ridges can cause

A

surface level lows and highs to develop