Met 421 Exam 1 Flashcards
1
Q
Scale Analysis
A
W = 10 ^-2 m/s U = 10 m/s L = 10 ^ 6 m F = 10 ^ -4
2
Q
3 characteristics for Potential Temp
A
- Temp parcel would have if it was compressed or expanded to 1000mb
- Vertical temp profile related to static stability
- Helps locate fronts especially over uneven terrains
3
Q
Potential Temp and Stability
A
Change in Pot. Temp over time
> 0 : Stable
= 0 : Neutral
< 0 : Unstable
4
Q
Why does geostrophic veering wind require waa?
A
A veering geostrophic wind requires flow from warmer to colder thickness.
5
Q
Veering
A
- Clockwise
- WAA
6
Q
Backing
A
- Counter Clockwise
- CAA
7
Q
Competing Effects of Rossby Waves
A
- Advection of relative vorticity moving system eastward
- Advection of planetary vorticity moving system westward.
8
Q
What Causes Rossby Waves?
A
- Terrain
- Latent heat
- Advection
- Downstream development
9
Q
Forecast Process
A
- Observe
- Analyze
- Diagnosis
- Prognosis
- Communicate
10
Q
Why is subjective analysis important?
A
- Station data is very valuable in assessing current conditions
- Better locate locations of fronts and systems
11
Q
Ingredient based forecasting for winter weather
A
- Forcing for ascent
- Moisture
- Instability
- Temperature
- Precipitation Efficiency
12
Q
Methods of estimating vertical motion
A
- Divergence aloft
- Vertical temperature profile
13
Q
What does QG theory do?
A
- Helps understand the 3-D synoptic scale weather systems
- Reveals how hydrostatic and geostrophic balance constrain and simplify atmospheric motions
- Physical insight into forcing of vertical motions
14
Q
Assumptions for QG theory
A
- Rossby number less than 0.10
- Hydrostatic balance
- Horizaontally uniform static stability
15
Q
Q-G Omega Equation Term A
A
- 3-D Laplacian of vertical motion
