Meteorology Flashcards
Where is Water Vapour the Greatest?
In the lower parts of the atmosphere due to gravity
The Troposphere
30,000ft above the poles
60,000ft above the equator as it is hotter
The Tropopause
Top section of the troposphere
Convection weakens
Isothermal Layer
Temperature stays the same
Stratosphere
An isothermal layer at which the temp stays constant at -56.5 degrees celcius according to ISA conditions
Atmospheric Pressure
A force that exerts in all directions
Pressure Systems
Measured in hPa above MSL
Isobars
Lines of equal pressure
Horizontal Pressure Gradient
Air will flow from a high to a low
At night sea= warmer, day land = warmer
Earth moves from west to east
High pressure systems move anticlockwise in the southern hemisphere
Atmospheric Density
ISA: 1.225kg/m^3
Heating processes in the Atmosphere
Solar radiation/insolation
Conduction and Convection
Advection
Solar Radiation/Insolation
Short wave
Electro-magnetic radiation
Long wave terrestrial radiation from the heated Earth
Air is warmest near to the Earth
Conduction and Convection
Conduction: by touch
Convection: rising air
Advection
Sea breeze
Factos Affecting Atmospheric Temperature
The Seasons Specific Heat Capacity The Colour and Reflectivity Diurnal Temperature Variations Effect of Cloud Effect of Wind Effect of Costal Proximity
Specific Heat Capacity
More energy required to heat water than air, however water has a higher heat retention
The Colour and Reflectivity
Snow = 90% Forrest = 5-10%
Diurnal Temperature Variations
Hottest time of day = 3pm
Coldest time of day = just after sunrise
Large amplitude at in-land stations
Effect of Cloud
Overcast days are cooler
Overcast nights are warmer (blanket effect)
Cloudless night are cooler as nothing to stop terrestrial radiation
Effect of Wind
Mixing of different air masses moderates the overall temp
Effect of Costal Proximity
Cool sea breeze cools a hot summers day and vice versa at night
Large Scale Atmospheric Circulation
Subsidence causes areas of high pressure
Convection causes areas of low pressure
Associated Weather Systems with Atmospheric Circulation
Equatorial/monsoonal trough
Sub-tropical ridge
Sub-polar low/polar front
Equatorial/Monsoonal Trough
Complex low pressure systems
Singapore (bad weather)
Sub-Tropical Ridge
High pressure systems
Sub-Polar Low/Polar Front
Complex, intense low pressure systems
Water in the Atmosphere
Solid to vapour: sublimation
Vapour to solid: deposition
Latent Heat and Temperature
Add heat: solid to vapour
Humidity
How much water is in the air
Relative Humidity (RH)
How much water is in a parcel of air
Ability of the air to hold moisture
Saturation: cloud formation/visible moisture/100% RH: dew point
RH depends on air temperature
Relative Humidity and Temperature
Warm air holds more water vapour than cold air
Relative humidity increases when air temp decreases to reach dew point = 100% RH
RH = actual water vapour/max water vapour for temp x 100%
Atmospheric Stability (RH)
Depends greatly on the % RH and temp vs dew point relationship
Temperature Inversions
Temp increases as height increases
Types of Temperature Inversions
Radiation
Subsidence
Frontal
Radiation Inversion
Cloudless night and light winds
Ground surface cools rapidly overnight
Temp increases with height in low level (generally)
Subsidence Inversion
Requires a high pressure system
Cold air subsides and warms rapidly adiabatically (adiabatic process)
Warm air above, cold air near surface (4,000 - 8,000ft AGL)
Frontal Inversion
Cold dense air forces the warm air upwards
Effects of Temperature Inversions
Turbulence
Pollution/dust/salt may be trapped under the inversion layer and decrease visibility
Decreased aircraft performance after take-off as flying into warmer air section
Inversion layers generally indicate a stable atmosphere as they restrict air parcels from rising and above the layer becomes smooth
Classifications of Turbulence
Light: small effect on attitude and altitude
Moderate: significant effect and variation in IAS
Severe: large abrupt changes with short periods of uncontrollability
Extreme: practically impossible to control, possible structural damage
Types of Turbulence
Thermal
Mechanical/Frictional
Wake
Thermal Turbulence
Due to solar radiation, frontal activity and inversions
Temp differences in the air masses cause thermals, thunderstorm activity, frontal lines and horizontal wind shear
May display as a large temp vs. dew point split
Mechanical/Frictional Turbulence
Up to 2000-3000ft AGL
Friction over the ground surface due to strong winds
Depends on the type of obstruction and windspeed
Pilot Actions
Accurate airspeed control
Increase approach speed
Consider ‘reduced flap’ landing
Use best turbulence penetration speed (Vb)
Find the shortest way out
Visualise airflow around obstructions to minimise surprise
Beware of vortices downwind of obstructions
Wake Turbulence
Take-off before their take-off point and touch down after their touch-down point and make a steeper climb and descent
Wind and turbulent air will disrupt wingtip vortices
Generally vortex sinks at +/- 500ft/min
Windshear
Sudden change in wind speed and/or direction over a short distance resulting in a speed variation bigger than 10kts
Low Level Windshear
Below 1600ft AGL
Windshear on Approach
Overshoot: sudden increase in headwind
Undershoot: sudden decrease in headwind
Pilot Actions in Windshear
Accurate speed control
Control/capture IAS while maintaining the approach path
Increase approach speed
The Adiabatic Process
Rising air cools due to expansion
Adiabatic Lapse Rates
Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DALR) = 3 degrees celcius/1000ft, when it reaches its dew point it will use the Saturated Adiabatic Lapse Rate = 1.5 degrees celcius/1000ft (never changes)
Cloud Base
Where a parcel of air reaches dew point or condensation
The bottom of any amount of cloud
Atmospheric Stability
Ability of the air to resist any upsetting tendency
Depends on the ELR: ELR < 1.5 degrees celcius/1000ft = stable
: ELR > 3 degrees celcius/1000ft = unstable
Cloud Classifications
High Level Mid Level Low level Stratus Nimbostratus Cumulonimbus
High Level Cloud
Cirrus (Ci) Base above 18,000ft No precipitation as forms ice crystals Cirrocumulus (Cc) Cirrostratus (Cs) - can create halo Reduces surface temp as prevents sun rays from increasing temp significantly
Middle Level Cloud
Alto
Base 8,000 - 18,000ft
Altocumulus (Ac)
Altostratus (As)
Low Level Cloud
Base below 8,000ft Cumulus (Cu) Stratus (St) Stratocumulus (Sc) Nimbostratus (Ns)
Stratus Cloud
Cloud ceiling very low
Cloud base often ragged/diffuse
Poor visibility (VFR flying difficult)
Nimbostratus
Expect heavy continuous rain
Risk of icing, moderate rime ice
Cumulonimbus
CB
Great vertical development
Reporting Cloud Cover
Few = 1-2 oktas SCT = 3-4 oktas BKN = 5-7 oktas OVC = 8 oktas NSC = no significant cloud NSW = no significant weather