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Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology > Final Exam > Flashcards

Final Exam Flashcards

1
Q

Define Cyclogenesis. (Don’t worry, it’s a short definition.)

A

The formation of a cyclone.

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2
Q

Define Cyclolysis. (Again, a short definition.)

A

The decay of a cyclone.

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3
Q

Conceptual frameworks for cyclogenesis are often based on (vorticity/pressure) rather than (vorticity/pressure).

A

vorticity

pressure

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4
Q

Pressure tendencies, height tendencies, and geostrophic vorticity tendencies are coupled through the ______________ __________ relationship.

A

geostrophic wind

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5
Q

Pressure, height, and geostrophic vorticity tendencies are intrinsically linked.

An increase in surface vorticity is associated with height and pressure (falls/rises).

A decrease in surface vorticity is associated with height and pressure (falls/rises).

A

falls

rises

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6
Q

We can diagnose cyclogenesis using the vorticity equation, but we ignore which 3 terms?

A

friction
tilting
solenoidal

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7
Q

Lower tropospheric (stretching/compression) is a mechanism for voriticty generation and cyclogenesis. This is the same as (ascent/descent).

A

stretching

descent

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8
Q

Answer the following questions in regards to an example of cylogenesis.
An upper-level trough and associated area of (CVA/AVA) and (ascent/descent) overtake a low-level frontal zone. The low-level frontal zone is characterized by (high/low) initial (relative/absolute) vorticity. (Stretching/Compression) associated with the upper-level trough most effectively generates vorticity along the front. This is due to the (absolute/relative) vorticity multiplier in the vorticity equation.

A 
CVA
ascent
absolute
stretching
absolute
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9
Q

Assuming hydrostatic balance, define pressure. (easy)

A

The weight of the overlying atmosphere.

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10
Q

Surface pressure changes are due to integrated ________ _____________.

A

mass divergence

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11
Q

Cyclogenesis occures when (divergence/convergence) aloft exceeds (divergence/convergence) at low levels, resulting in net mass (divergence/convergence) and surface pressure (falls/rises).

A

divergence
convergence
divergence
falls

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12
Q

QG ascent results in (stretching/compression) and pressure (falls/rises).

A

stretching

falls

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13
Q

Ignoring friction, and in regards to the QG omega equation, what 3 things can contribute to ascent, pressure falls, and cyclogenesis?
These effects are most pronouned when static stability is (high/low).

A

1) Vorticity advection becoming more cyclonic (or less anticyclonic) with height.
2) A local maximum in temperature advetion.
3) A local maximum in diabatic heating.
- low

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14
Q

In regards to vorticity advection becoming more cyclonic with height as a contributor to cyclogenesis, we typically look for (CVA/AVA) at ______ mb.

A

CVA

500

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15
Q

In regards to cyclogenesis and the contributions of a local maximum in temperature advection, we typically look for (warm/cold) advection, such as along a (warm/cold) front or occluded front.

A

warm

warm

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16
Q

In regards to cyclogenesis and static stability, this is exemplified by an upper-level trough inducing cyclogenesis more easily if the static stability is (low/high).

A

low

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17
Q

Synoptic experience in cyclogenesis:

(CVA/AVA) downstream of an upper-level trough contributes to pressure (falls/rises) and cyclogenesis.

A

CVA

falls

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18
Q

Synoptic experience in cyclogenesis:

(Warm/cold) advection along a (warm/cold) front contributes to pressure (falls/rises) and cyclogenesis.

A

warm
warm
falls

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19
Q

Synoptic experience in cyclogenesis:

Diabatic heating contributes to pressure (falls/rises) and cyclogenesis.

A

falls

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20
Q

Synoptic experience in cyclogenesis:
In frontal cyclone development, CVA, warm advection, and diabatic heating all contribute to a mutual ______________ of the surface cyclone and upper level wave.

A

amplification.

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21
Q

Synoptic experience in cyclogenesis:

Stretching (downstream/upstream) of topography can contribute to cyclogenesis.

A

downstream

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22
Q

In an idealized example of cyclogenesis, consider a 3-part conceptual model, and answer the following about PART 1:

  • 500-mb (CVA/AVA) contributes to surface cyclogenesis
  • (Low/Upper)-level warm advection ahead of cyclone amplifies (downstream/upstream) ridge
  • (Low/Upper)-level cold advection ahead of cyclone amplified (low/upper)-level trough.
A 
CVA
Low
downstream
Low
Upper
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23
Q

In an idealized example of cyclogenesis, consider a 3-part conceptual model, and answer the following about PART 2:

  • Wavelength of upper-level wave (shortens/lengthens)
  • (CVA/AVA) intensifies
  • Surface development (continues/diminishes)
  • (Low/Upper)-level warm and cold advection intensify
  • Surface cyclone and upper-level (trough/ridge) mutually amplify
  • Diabatic (heating/cooling) along warm/occluded front further enhances surface development and (low/upper)-level wave amplification.
A 
shortens
CVA
low
trough
heating
upper
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24
Q

In an idealized example of cyclogenesis, consider a 3-part conceptual model, and answer the following about PART 3:

  • Cyclone becomes veritically (stacked/removed)
  • QG forcing for (ascent/descent) weakens
  • Development (ceases/revitalizes)
A

stacked
ascent
ceases

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25
Q

Synoptic experience in anticyclogenesis:

AVA (upstream/downstream) of an upper-level ridge contributes to pressure (rises/falls) and anticyclogenesis

A

downstream

rises

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26
Q 
Synoptic experience in anticyclogenesis:
A local (maximum/minimum) in cold advection contributes to pressure rises and anticyclogenesis.
A

minimum

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27
Q

Synoptic experience in anticyclogenesis:

Diabatic (radiational) (heating/cooling) contributes to pressure rises and anticyclogenesis.

A

cooling

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28
Q

Synoptic experience in anticyclogenesis:

(Stretching/Compression) upstream of topography can contribute to anticyclogenesis.

A

Compression

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29
Q

From a PV perspective, cyclogenesis results from the coupling and mutual amplification of surface (cyclonic/temperature) and upper-level (cyclonic/temperature) PV anomalies, with contributions from diabatically generated PV (cyclonic/anticyclonic) anomalies.

A

temperature
cyclonic
cyclonic

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30
Q

From a PV perspective, a surface (warm/cold) anomaly acts like a cyclonic PV anomaly ad a surface (warm/cold) anomaly acts like an anticyclonic PV anomaly.

A

warm

cold

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31
Q

Cyclogensis from a PV perspective:
Answer the questions to the first 2/5 steps of cyclongenesis.
1) Upper-level (cyclonic/anticyclonic) PV anomaly overtakes a (low/upper)-level frontal zone.
2) (Cyclonic/anticyclonic) circulation associated with upper-level PV anomaly induces a (warm/cold) tongue along the frontal zone.

A

cyclonic
low
cyclonic
warm

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32
Q

Cyclogensis from a PV perspective:
Answer the questions to the last 3/5 steps of cyclongenesis.
3) Warm tongue acts like a(n) (cyclonic/anticyclonic) PV anomaly, inducing a(n) (cyclonic/anticyclonic) circulation that extends upward and further amplifies the upper-level (cyclonic/anticyclonic) PV anomaly
4) The upper-level and surface thermal anomalies become phase locked and mutually (amplify/dampen), resulting in cyclogenesis.
5) (Adiabatically/Diabatically) generated PV can be a third building block in the process.

A 
cyclonic
cyclonic
cyclonic
amplify
diabatically
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33
Q

What is the Norwegian Cyclone Model?

1) Conceptual model describing the ________ ______ and ________ of extratropical cyclones.
2) Developed after World War I by the _______ School of ____________.
3) Defined modern meteorological ___________.
4) It’s still widely used today.

A

life cycle and dynamics
Bergen school of meteorology
analysis

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34
Q

Part 1 of the initial description of an ideal cyclone explains that
“two airmasses (warm and cold) separated by a fairly distinct (surface/upper-level) boundary that runs through the center of the system.”

A

surface

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35
Q

In regards to Part 2 of the initial description of an ideal cyclone, is the following statement TRUE or FALSE?
“the surface boundary is imagined to continue through a greater part of the troposphere at a small angle to the horizon.”

A

True

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36
Q

Part 3 of the initial description of an ideal cyclone explains that
“(warm/cold) air in the (warm/cold) sector is conveyed by a SW or W current and (ascends/descends) the wedge of (warm/cold) air ahead of the (warm/cold) front, producing (warm/cold)-frontal precipitation.”

A 
warm
warm
ascends
cold
warm
warm
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37
Q

Part 4 of the initial description of an ideal cyclone explains that
“the intrusion of (warm/cold) air from behind the system into the (warm/cold) sector lifts the (warm/cold) airmass, producing (warm/cold)-frontal precipitation.

A

cold
warm
warm
cold

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38
Q

What are the 4 phases of the Norwegian Cyclone Model?

A

Initial Phase
Open Wave Phase
Secluded/Occluded Phase
Maturity/Death

39
Q

In the initial phase of the Norwegian Cyclone Model, two oppositely directed currents of different ___________ are separated by a nearly straight boundary.
This boundary begins to bulge toward the (cold/warm) air at the place where the cyclone will form.

A

temperatures

cold

40
Q

In the open wave phase of the Norwegian Cyclone Model,

  • the amplitude of the warm wave (increases/decreases)
  • (warm/cold) air moves cyclonically around the low center
  • (Warm/Cold) sector narrows
A

increases
Cold
Warm

41
Q

In the secluded phase of the Norwegian Cyclone Model, the (cold/warm) front overtakes the (cold/warm) front south of the low center. A piece of the (warm/cold) sector is cut off.

A

cold
warm
warm

42
Q

In the occluded phase of the Norwegian Cyclone Model, the remaining part of the (warm/cold) sector is removed from the surface.

A

warm

43
Q

In the maturity/death phase of the Norwegian Cyclone Model, the occluded front dissipates and the cyclone becomes (symmetric/asymmetric) vortex of (cold/warm) air.

A

symmetric

cold

44
Q

In regards to the vertical evolution of the open wave phase,

  • two wedges of (cold/warm) air approach each other.
  • intermediate (cold/warm) sector air is lifted
  • Transforms (potential/kinetic) energy to (potential/kinetic) energy.
A

cold
warm
potential
kinetic

45
Q

In regards to the vertical evolution of the occluded phase,

  • once two wedges have met on the ground, the upper (warm/cold) sector is lifted until the (warm/cold) sector has (warmed/cooled) adiabatically to the temperature of its surroundings.
  • throughout this phase, the cyclone gains (potential/kinetic) energy
A

warm
warm
cooled
kinetic

46
Q

An essential condition for cyclone formation is coexistence of warm and cold air (adjacent/separate) to each other.

A

adjacent.

47
Q

All cyclones which are not yet occluded have (increasing/decreasing) kinetic energy.

A

increasing

48
Q

Soon after occlusion, the cyclone begins to (fill/empty).

A

fill

49
Q

In later stages of cyclone formation, the cyclone becomes a (homogenous/heterogenous) vortex of (cold/warm) air that consumes the previously generated kinetic energy.

A

homogenous

cold

50
Q

What are the two types of occlusion?

Which type is most common?

A

warm and cold

cold

51
Q

A cold type occlusion forms if air behind the cold front is (colder/warmer) than air ahead of the warm front.
This has characteristics of (cold/warm) front with (narrow/broad) precipitation zone.

A

colder
cold
narrow

52
Q

A warm type occlusion forms if air behind the cold front is (warmer/colder) than air ahead of the warm front.
This has characteristics of (cold/warm) front with (narrow/broad) precipitation zone.

A

warmer
warm
broad

53
Q

In a secondary cold front, the cold air may contain a series of secondary cold fronts accompanied by only small contrasts in ___________ and ________.

A

temperature and wind

54
Q

The appearance of a strong secondary cold front that is stronger than the primary cold front indicates a ______________ of the cylclone

A

reinforcement

55
Q

In refining the Norwegian Cyclone Model, what three new features were identified?

A

1) upper-level cold front
2) bent-back occlusion
3) false warm sector

56
Q

An upper-level cold front accompanies (warm/cold)-type occlusions.

A

warm

57
Q

A bent-back occlusion extends into (polar/subtropical) airstream (in front of/behind) the low.

A

polar

behind

58
Q

The false warm sector occurs between what two features?

A

between the bent-back occlusion and primary cold front.

59
Q

What two life cycle refinements were made to the Norwegian Cyclone Model in regards to the stages?

A

1) antecedent stage

2) nascent stage

60
Q

The refined antecedent stage to the Norwegian Cyclone Model is similar to what famous paper’s description?

A

Bjerknes and Solberg (1922)

61
Q

In the refined Nascent stage of the Norwegian Cyclone Model, there is a newly formed wave with velocity nearly equal to that of the (warm/cold)-sector air near the (ground/mid-troposphere)

A

warm

ground

62
Q

Refinements to the wave cyclone phase of the NCM include

1) further (development/reduction) of cyclone and frontal wave
2) frontolysis occurs along (warm/cold) front (near/away from) low center
3) phase (lag/syncing) of upper-level wave relative to surface wave

A

development
cold
near
lag

63
Q

Refinements to the occluded stage of the NCM include

  • (cold/warm) front climbs (cold/warm) front and forms upper-level (cold/warm) front
  • Pressure (ridge/trough) forms to rear of cyclone and rotates (cyclonically/anticyclonically) around the low center.
  • (True or False) Near low-center, a bent-back occlusion may coincide with trough
A 
cold
warm
cold
trough
anticyclonically
True
64
Q

Refinements to the occluded stage of the NCM include

  • (More/less) removed from low center; it may become a non-frontal (trough/ridge)
  • Cyclone regeneration can occur if bent-back front is (longer/shorter) and (stronger/weaker) than normal and separates polar airmasses of differing temperature.
A

More
trough
longer
stronger

65
Q

In regards to modifications and extensions of the NCM and frontal structure/dynamics…
depiction of the polar front as a discontinuity separating tropical and polar airmasses is an (underidealizaiton/overidealization).

A

overidealization

66
Q

In regards to modifications and extensions of the NCM and frontal structure/dynamics…
Upper-level and surface-based fronts may be (continuous/discontinuous) and have (differing/similar) dynamics.

A

discontinuous

differing

67
Q

In regards to modifications and extensions of the NCM and frontal structure/dynamics…
surface-based fronts may have (extreme/calm) intensity at the ground, but (weaken/strengthen) with height.

A

extreme

weaken

68
Q

In regards to modifications and extensions of the NCM and frontal structure/dynamics…
Frontal zones are better regarded as regions of (active/inactive) frontogenesis rather than (impermanent/semi-permanent/permanent) phenomenon.

A

active

semi-permanent

69
Q

In regards to modifications and extensions of the NCM and frontal structure/dynamics…
Fronts are often a (cause/consequence) of cyclogenesis rather than the (cause/consequence)

A

consequence

cause

70
Q

In regards to modifications and extensions of the NCM and cyclone dynamics…
Cyclone development may be viewed as a consequence of (baroclinic/frontal) instability rather than (barclinic/frontal) instabilities.

A

baroclinic

frontal

71
Q

In regards to modifications and extensions of the NCM and cyclone dynamics…
There are 3 major building blocks for observed cyclogenesis (thanks to the discovery of jet stream and development of PV thinking). Name these 3 major building blocks.

A

1) Upper-level trough/cyclonic PV anomaly
2) Surface front (surrogate cyclonic PV anomaly)
3) Diabatic Heating

72
Q

In regards to modifications and extensions of the NCM and cyclone dynamics…
There are patterns of cyclone development not envisioned by the Bergen School.
Name an example.

A

Cyclogenesis in polar airstreams.

73
Q

What is the definition of Lake Effect Snow, according to the Glossary of Meteorology?

A

Precipitation occurring near or downwind from the shore of a lake resulting from the warming (destabilization) and moistening of relatively cold air during passage over a warm body of water.

74
Q

What are 5 additional factors to lake effect snow?

A

1) lake-lake interactions and aggregate effects (Great Lakes)
2) Boundary layer and thermally driven circulations
3) Orography
4) surface roughness contrasts
5) Ice cover

75
Q

What are 5 morphological types of Lake Effect Snow?

A

1) Broad Coverage
2) Long-Lake-Axis-Parallel (LLAP) band
3) Hybrid
4) Shoreline Band
5) Mesoscale Vortices

76
Q

What feature is responsible for the broad coverage type of Lake Effect Snow?

A

Horizontal Roll or Benard Convection

77
Q

How are LLAP bands, which produce the heaviest snowfall, organized?

A

By land-breeze-induced convergence

78
Q

Hybrid types of Lake Effect Snow have characteristics of what 2 morphological types?
Hybrid types typically feature a connection to (upstream/downstream) lake(s).

A

broad coverage and LLAP

upstream

79
Q

Shoreline bands of lake effect snow form along (land/lake) breeze during (weak/strong) flow. The exhibit (little/much) movement.

A

land
weak
little

80
Q

Mesoscale vortices type of Lake Effect Snow typically form where the shore is “_______-______.” This phenomenon is relatively rare.

A

bowl-shaped

81
Q

The Tug Hill Plateau experiences what morphological type of lake effect snow?
Some of the most intense snowstorms on Earth happen here,.

A

LLAP bands

82
Q

In regards to the diurnal variability in the Tug Hill Plateau…

  • in fall and spring, lake-effect is (more/less common) overnight/early int he morning hours, and (more/less) common afternoon/evening.
  • (No/Strong) signal in winter
  • (Stronger/weaker) signal than over GSL
A

more
less
no
weaker

83
Q

For Lake Effect Snow on the GSL, match the percentages with how often the specific type of lake effect snow occurs.

1) Non-banded
2) Mixed Mode
3) Banded

a) 25%
b) 20%
c) 55%

A

Non-banded - 55%
Mixed Mode - 25%
Banded - 20%

84
Q

IN GSL Lake Effect Snow, do 1) rare and intense or 2) common and mild events dominate?

A

rare and intense

85
Q

93% of GSL lake effect snow events occurs at lake-700-mb temperature gradients greater than or equal to what temperature (in dec C)?

A

16 deg C

86
Q

For predicting Lake Effect Snow in the GSL, is it more appropriate to use a seasonally varying thresholed for lake-700-mb temperature gradients, or a fixed threshold?

A

varying threshold

87
Q

Under marginal instabilities, environment conditions (moisture, wind direction) in the GSL are more frequently favored for lake-effect in (winter/fall and spring) than in (winter/fall and spring).

A

winter

fall and spring

88
Q

True or False.

GSLE is not sensitive to moisture flux.

A

False.

89
Q

What are 3 potential orographic effects to LES?

A

1) Precip enhancement
2) modificaition of the lake-effect system (initiation, intensity, morphology)
3) lake-effect systems can be altered by upstream and downstream topography

90
Q

What is the hypothesis of LES in Japan in regards to the capping inversion?

A

Height of the CAP relative to mountain crest affects orographic ratio in lake-effect storms

91
Q

Name 4 processes that influence lake-effect systems.

A

1) Upstream instability and moisture
2) Lake conditions (sfc temp, sub-sfc temp, salinity, ice cover)
3) Land breezes and PBL circulations
4) Orography

92
Q

True or False.
Orographic influences only include precipitation enhancement.

If true, why doesn’t it affect anything else?
If false, what else does orography influence?

A

False.

initiation, intensiyt, and morphology of lake-effect systems

93
Q

This is too much to remember, and I”m lazy, but be familiar with the following 5 unresolved issues.

A

1) Morphological controls
2) Role of the CAP in modulating orographic enhancement
3) Possible role of boundary layer turbulence in precipitation enhancement
4) Understanding (and predicting) the spectrum of lake-driven and terrain-driven processes that influence lake-effect storms in areas of complex terrain.
5) Interdecadal variability & lake size

Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology (2 decks)

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