Synoptic-Test 1

Question 0

What is theoretical dynamics?

Answer 0

It is based on atmospheric forces/accelerations from the governing equations that have different importance at the different scales.

Question 1

What is empiricism?

Answer 1

It is based on the ability to sense a given phenomena.

Question 2

What scales do the following fall into?

a) Boundary layer cumulus clouds
b) hurricanes
c) thermals
d) mesoscale convective complexes
e) extra tropical cyclones
f) surface layer plume
g) small frequency waves

Answer 2

a) micro@
b) meso@
c) microB
d) mesoB
e) macroB
f) microY
g) macro@

Question 3

S=sm. What does each variable stand for?

Answer 3

S is image scale-ratio of the distance in the map to corresponding distance on earth.
s is map scale-image scale at one or two standard latitudes.
m is map magnification factor-represents distortion

Question 4

What is the difference between types of conformal maps?

Answer 4

Mercator- WMO 22.5, all parallels and meridians are straight, tropics
Lambert Conical- WMO 30 and 60 or 10 and 40, angle between two meridians is smaller than difference in longitude, mid latitudes
Polar Stereographic- WMO 60, polar

Question 5

What are some examples of in situ measurement devices?

Answer 5

Bulb thermometer-temp
Sling psychrometer-humidity
Barometer-pressure
Cup anemometer-wind

Question 6

What are some examples of remote observations?

Answer 6

Satellite derived temps
Radar profilers
Acoustical profilers

Question 7

How do we receive measurements from the surface and upper air?

Answer 7

Surface uses ASOS and AVHRR SST

Upper air uses radiosonde, satellite and aircraft

Question 8

What is the difference between scalars and vectors

Answer 8

Scalar has magnitude while vector has magnitude and direction.

Question 9

What is the formula for potential temperature?

Answer 9

Theta= T(1000/p)^Rd/Cp

Question 10

What is a typical order of magnitude pressure tendency at the earths surface?

Answer 10

10^-2 Pa/s

Question 11

What can we assume for a flat surface or sloped surface with no flow?

Answer 11

Assume that omega near the surface is equal to the corresponding pressure tendency.

Question 12

In the presence of sloping terrain with flow we can assume what?

Answer 12

That omega at anemometer level is equal to w dp/dz

Question 13

What must there be if there is a surface pressure tendency?

Answer 13

Must be a net horizontal divergence in the column

Question 14

What does net positive horizontal divergence within a column result in?

Answer 14

Negative surface pressure tendency. Associated with upward vertical motion throughout column

Question 15

What does net negative horizontal divergence(horiz convergence) within a column result in?

Answer 15

Positive surface pressure tendency. Associated with downward vertical motion throughout the column

Question 16

Divergence of geostrophic wind is equal to on f-plane?

Answer 16

Zero.

Question 17

Magnitude of (du/dx+dv/dy) is what for developing systems?

Answer 17

Magnitude is larger and opposite sign aloft compared to below for developing systems

Question 18

What is expected beneath regions of 300hPa horizontal convergence?

Answer 18

Downward motion

Question 19

What is expected beneath regions of 300hPa horizontal divergence?

Answer 19

Upward motion

Question 20

Thermally direct and thermally indirect circulations are associated with what?

Answer 20

Thermally direct-entrance region

Thermally indirect-exit region

Question 21

Why does the acceleration vector not point directly perp to the orientation of the straight jet streak?

Answer 21

Using the equations of motion, the true horizontal wind must cut across isoheights towards low geopotential heights at entrance region and vice versa at exit region

Question 22

Ageostrophic wind _______ on the upstream side of the trough and _______ on the downstream side.

Answer 22

Converges, diverges.