Final Flashcards
What are the conditions for Hurricane formation (4)
(1) latitude (2) SST (3) weak trade wind inversion or subsidence so air can rise (4) weak wind shear aloft
what latitudes are good for hurricane formations? Why?
[5-25N >5degN b/c CF is big enough to create spinning, <25 b/c SST gets cold],
What SST are good for hurricane formation? Why?
[>26.5c] you want warm water b/c it gives energy to the storm
Name the 4 initial mechanisms that could form a hurricane
- mid latitude cold front 2. convergence along ITCZ in summer 3. Sahel MCC 4. Convergence along easterly wave
Describe the cold front needed for hurrican formations
originates in mid latutdes, extends down to 5-25 N, causes air to rise, forming a low pressure center
Describe the convergence along ITCZ needed for hurricane formation
ITCZ must be far enough north (5-25N), only happens in the summer
Describe the MCC needed for hurricane formation
MCC=mesoscale convective complex (groups of thunderstorms merged together), must originate over the Sahel (Africa), moves across ocean and creates disturbance
Describe the easterly wave needed for hurricane formation
air rises in regions of convergence, resulting in sfc low
Which hurricane formation mechanism is most likely?
convergence along an easterly wave
What are the sources of energy in a hurricane? (2)
Sensible heat is transferred directly from warm SSTs to air, latent heat released in upper troposphere results in a high pressure system aloft, leading to divergence
What is the process that strengthens hurricanes? Cycle type? (5)
(1) divergence aloft and rising warm air causes sfc pressure to fall, (2) air convergence CCW around sfc low, (3) speed of air increases as it moves inward (v=wr) (4) faster winds draw more energy from SSTs and increases evap (5) warm moist air rises, lowering sfc pressure more
Compare the energy source of a hurricane to that of a mlc
hurricane (warm SSTs, latent heat release), mlc (strong N/S temp gradient)
Compare the isobars in a hurricane to those in a mlc
hurricane (circular, strong gradient), mlc (kinked, weak gradient)
Compare the winds in a hurricane to those in a mlc
hurricane (slow winds aloft), mlc (fast winds aloft)
Compare the wind shear in a hurricane to that in a mlc
hurricane (weak), mlc (strong)
Compare the conditions at the core of a hurricane to those in a mlc
hurricane (clear, sinking air), mlc (cloudy, rising air). Figure out why this is
Compare the location of a hurricane to that of a mlc
hurricane (ocean), mlc (land)
What are the drivers of Climate Change?
external causes (changes in: incoming solar radiation, composition of atm, at Earth’s surface), internal causes (circ. patterns of ocean and atm)
List 5 positive feedback loops wrt Climate Change
water vap - temp rise, snow-albedo, water vapor-high cloud, CO2 stability, permafrost melting
Describe the water vapor-temp rise positive feedback loop
temp increase -> more evap -> greater H20 in atm -> increased absorption of Earth’s IR -> greater temp increase
Describe the snow-albedo positive feedback loop
temp increase -> melting of ice/snow at poles -> lower sfc albedo -> more radiation absorbed -> greater temp increase
Describe the water vapor-high cloud positive feedback loop
temp increase ->-> more atm H20 -> more high clouds->high clouds let solar rad through, but not earths IR->greater temp increase
Describe the CO2 stability positive feedback loop
temp increase -> reduced solubility of CO2 in oceans -> greater atm. CO2 -> more absorbed IR -> greater temp increase
Describe the permafrost melting positive feedback loop
temp increase -> melting permafrost -> release of CH4 (GHG) -> greater temp increase
