Meteorology Today, Ahrens Chap 9

Question 1

What are Eddies in the atmosphere

Answer 1

Turbulent whirl of air

Question 2

How do eddies form in the atmosphere

Answer 2

Whenever wind encounters a solid object, an eddy forms on the leeward side

Question 3

What is mechanical turbulence in the atmosphere

Answer 3

Whenever wind encounters a solid object, a turbulent eddy forms on the leeward side

Question 4

What is thermal turbulence in the atmosphere

Answer 4

Surface heating during the day causes thermal turbulence as heat convection currents rise from the surface and mix with the air flowing over the surface, which can create eddies

Question 5

Stability of air and connection to eddies

Answer 5

More unstable air creates stronger Eddies

Question 6

3 Factors that determine frictional influence on wind

Answer 6

Surface heating, Strong wind Speeds, rough and hilly terrain

Question 7

What is wind shear

Answer 7

when wind changes speed or direction unexpectedly

Question 8

What happens to wind when it blows over a ridge

Answer 8

Increases in speed

Question 9

How can wind over lakes cause formation of clouds

Answer 9

When wind moves over a lake, the speed increases. When it reaches the other side, friction comes back into play and the air bunches up, which forces the air upward on the downwind side of the lake

Question 10

Surface lows and highs are generally very _______

Answer 10

shallow, not extending very far above the surface. At some point high pressure systems change into low pressure at height and vice versa

Question 11

Why are winds at the land-sea boundary the strongest compare to those more inland

Answer 11

sea breeze causes heavy winds to form

Question 12

which is stronger land or sea breeze

Answer 12

sea breeze, nighttime temperature differences are smaller than daytime

Question 13

What are katabatic winds

Answer 13

Strong downslope winds

Question 14

What are chinook winds

Answer 14

warm, dry, downslope wind that
descends the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains

Question 15

What are foehn winds

Answer 15

Larger group of winds that includes chinook and santa ana winds. Basically dry and warm downslope winds

Question 16

What gives Chinook winds their warm and dry qualities

Answer 16

Adiabatic Heating on their transportation downslope. Precipitation and condensation on the Upwind side of the mountain causes the air to be especially dry

Question 17

What side of the mountain do Chinook and Foehn winds act upon

Answer 17

Down wind, the side opposite of the wind

Question 18

What are santa ana winds

Answer 18

A warm, dry wind that blows downhill from the east or northeast into southern California as the air descends from elevated desert plateau

Question 19

What are monsoons

Answer 19

wind system is one that changes direction seasonally, blowing
from one direction in summer and from the opposite direction in winter

Question 20

Where do monsoons mostly affect

Answer 20

Eastern and Southern Asia, near the oceans

Question 21

How do monsoons work

Answer 21

During the winter, the air over lands becomes
much colder than the air over the adjacent ocean, producing
a clockwise circulation of air and fair weather(dry season). In summer, the wind-flow pattern reverses itself as air over the continents becomes much warmer than air above the water. The surrounding air responds by flowing counterclockwise into
the low center. This condition results in moisture-bearing winds
advancing from the ocean into the continent during the late
spring.(Wet seasons)