Meteorology

Question 1

2 Ocean currents?

Answer 1

Warm Kuroshio current (Japan current)

Cold Oyashio current (Parent current)

Question 2

What zones does Japan lie in?

Answer 2

One end in subtropical zone, other end in sub polar zone

Question 3

Pacific side

Answer 3

• Hot and humid summers

- dry, clear winter days

Question 4

Sea of Japan side

Answer 4

NW sinds off Asia bring heavy snow

Question 5

Bai-u?

Answer 5

Hot humid rainy season from May to late July. Everywhere except Hokkaido. (mainly SW)
Stationary front.

Question 6

Typhoons?

Answer 6

August to October.
Generate in equatorial regions and move north
10 per year- 3 hit Japan
More than 64kt of wind
Dangerous side is where wind direction and direction of travel are the same

Question 7

Air Masses

Answer 7

Siberian:

• Cold and dry
• Pushes toward Pacific in winter

Othosk sea:

• Rainy season (Bai-u)
• Moves from north

Ogasawara:

• Summer
• Hot and moist from pacific

Yosuko:
-Passes west to east over spring

Equatorial:
-Very warm and high moisture

Question 8

Winter

Answer 8

• High in west, low in east (Seikokote)
• Siberian air mass
• Snow brought to Tokyo by cyclone that passes along the south coast of Japan

Question 9

Spring

Answer 9

• Yosuko air mass from China brings good weather

- Strong southerlies over south of Japan (Haru-Ichiban, the first storm of spring)

Question 10

Summer

Answer 10

• High pressure from Pacific
• Air moves toward Siberia
• typhoons

Question 11

Autumn

Answer 11

• Polar front moves North to South

- Generally fine, steady weather

Question 12

How does the tower report wind?

Answer 12

2 minute average

Question 13

Which side of Bai-u front has worst weather?

Answer 13

North side. widespread cloud and rain.

Question 14

How is wind reported in METAR, and how high is the equipment?

Answer 14

Average of past 10 mins

10m +/- 1m

Question 15

how high is RVR equipment?

Answer 15

2.5m

Question 16

PRR/PFR

Answer 16

1hpa within 30mins

Question 17

Temp/DP and cloud?

Answer 17

Split less than 3

Question 18

Jetstreams?

Answer 18

Subtropical:

• Occurs due to earths rotation
• Summer position 35N to 40N
• Winter position 30N to 35N

Polar:
-Warm air from south and cold air from north collide. Strong in winter

Polar night:
-occurs in the distant skies of the north pole

Easterlies:
-Close to equator due to differences in angular momentum

Question 19

CAT expected?

Answer 19

110kts+

Question 20

Climate: Northern Japan

Answer 20

Warm summers, long cold winters with heavy snow

Question 21

Climate: Central Japan

Answer 21

Hot, humid summers. Short winters.

Question 22

Climate: Southwestern Japan

Answer 22

Long, hot humid summers. Mild winters.

Question 23

VRB?

Answer 23

1) Average wind velocity is less than 3kts and wind direction varies by 60deg or more, or;
2) Velocity is 3kts or more and wind varies by 180deg or more

When average wind direction is variable by 60-180deg and velocity is 3kts or more in the last 10 mins, clockwise direction is listed eg 070V150

Question 24

SIGMET validity

Answer 24

4 hours for:
Thunderstorm
Icing
Turbulence
Radioacitve material

6 hours for:
Typhoon
Volcanic Ash

Question 25

Shurin?

Answer 25

autumn rain. largest rainfall in Eastern Japan

Question 26

Tropical Cyclone definition in Japan

Answer 26

Sustained winds of 34kts. (10minute mean). Considered Tropical Storm internationally.