MN Weather Flashcards
Why is weather important to study? (4)
Distributions of biota
Seasonality
Growing season
Climate change
MN Climate
Solar radiation
Humid continental
Axis Tilt
Day length, amount of solar radiation
Solar Radiation
Net radiation high in summer, missing in winter
Humid Continental
Warm humid summer, dry cold winters
MN Temperature
Wide range
Where does air come from when hot?
SW
Where does air come from when cold?
Arctic
Polar Vortex
Low pressure in upper atmosphere near north pole
Jet Stream
River of air bends around pressure systems
Winter Misery Index
Data on temp, snow depth, and duration
What moderates temp? (4)
Water
Topography
North-South Slopes
Albedo
Where are moderate temps from water?
Lake Superior
Cooling Influence Because Of…
Evaporation
Albedo
Reflected sunlight
_____% of solar radiation reflected by snow
75
Growing Season
Frost free
Avg Range Of MN Precipitation
20 inches in NW to 32 inches in SW
Drought Frequency
1 every 8-9 years
70% Of Precipitation Falls In…
May-Sept
Snow Depth Range
60 inches on North Shore to 36 inches in SW
Where is MN humidity from?
Moist air from the gulf
What kind of air holds more moisture?
Warm
Humidity
Amount of water vapor in the air
What happens when air cools?
Water condenses
Dewpoint
Temp at which water condenses and forms dew
Where is evaporation highest?
SW MN
P/E Ratio Meaning
Precipitation to Evaporation Ratio
P/E Ratio Definition
How much water is available to plants and organisms
Water Availability In NE MN
High
Water Availability In Central MN
Moderate
Water Availability in SW MN
Low
What is the wind direction from May-Oct?
S or SW
What is the wind direction from Nov-April?
NW
What is the windiest month?
April
What is the average wind speed?
9-11 mph
Influence of movement of air masses is caused by what?
Location of jet stream
High Pressure System
Cool Dry air Weather Light winds Clockwise rotation in Northern Hemisphere
Low Pressure System
Warm Moist air Stormy weather Strong winds Counterclockwise rotation
When are the skies mostly clear?
July/August
When is it mostly cloudy?
November/ December
High Altitude Clouds
Cirrus
Cirrocumulus
Cirrostratus
Middle Altitude Clouds
Altocumulus
Altostratus
Low Altitude Clouds
Cumulus
Stratus
Cirrus Clouds
Wispy
Cumulus Clouds
Fluffy
Stratus Clouds
Blanket
Nimbo- Clouds
Rain
Cumulonimbus Clouds
Storm
Why are there more tornados in the spring?
Differential temps
Increase of warm, Gulf moisture into the central part of the country
Differential Temps
Creates instability
Cause Of Tornado
Upper atmosphere is cold
Surface is warming up
When was the earliest tornado in MN?
March 18, 1968
When was the latest tornado in MN?
November 16, 1931
What is the order of tornado frequency?
June
July
May
August
