U2L7 Weather Modeling

Question 1

What are the 2 most used weather models in the world?

Answer 1

European and American weather models

Question 2

What is the definition of weather forecast?

Answer 2

A prediction of what the weather will be like based on data

Question 3

What factors do meteorologists consider when predicting weather?

Answer 3

• Wind speed and direction
• the rotation of thunderstorm clouds
• atmospheric pressure
• air temperatures

Question 4

What tools do meteorologists use when predicting weather?

Answer 4

• satellites
• doppler radar
• radiosondes on weather balloons
• surface weather stations

Question 5

What does a satellite do?

Answer 5

Takes pictures of Earth and the sun from space

Question 6

What does a Doppler radar do?

Answer 6

Detects precipitation, wind speed, and direction, cloud rotations, and tornado debris in the air

Question 7

What does a radiosondes on weather balloons do?

Answer 7

Transmit data that measure weather conditions from packages of instruments suspended by high-altitude balloons

Question 8

What does a surface weather station do?

Answer 8

Monitor weather conditions on Earth’s surface several automated instruments

Question 9

What are weather models used for?

Answer 9

To predict weather days in advanced

Question 10

How do weather models work?

Answer 10

Weather models divide the atmosphere into a three-dimensional grid. Each point on the grid is fed information from observed weather measurements, such as wind speed, temperature, and moisture. A weather model applies the equations to each point on the grid and moves them forward in time.

Question 11

What is the definition of data assimilation?

Answer 11

Incorporation and absorption of data

Question 12

Weather models use ___________ based on physics.

Answer 12

mathematical equations

Question 13

What is European model short for?

Answer 13

European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts

Question 14

What is the American modal also known as?

Answer 14

National Weather Service’s Global Forecast System

Question 15

Which model has more success predicting global weather events?

Answer 15

The European model

Question 16

What was one main success the European model had in predicting global weather events?

Answer 16

It predicted hurricane sandy would slam into the northeastern United States rather than dissipate out at sea.

Question 17

What was one main success the American model had in predicting global weather events?

Answer 17

It correctly predicted that a devastating blizzard would not impact New York City, however the European model predicted it would (it was wrong)

Question 18

How are the American and European models similar?

Answer 18

Both models rely on data, from satellites and ground-based observations, that are fed into powerful computers to produce forecasts

Question 19

How are the American and European models different?

Answer 19

The models differ, in part, because they use different equations and make different assumptions

Question 20

Describe the American model.

Answer 20

• ensemble forecast consists of 21 separate forecasts
• horizontal resolution of 28 km (17.4 mi.) between grid points
• composed of four separate models: atmosphere, ocean, land/soil, and sea ice
• predicts weather out to 16 days in the future

Question 21

Describe the European model.

Answer 21

• ensemble forecast consists of 51 separate forecasts
• horizontal resolution of 9 km (5.6 mi.) between grid points
• produces, on average, the most accurate forecasts in the world
• includes an atmospheric and ocean wave model
• predicts weather out to 10 days in the future for the medium-range forecast

Question 22

What the definition of ensemble forecast?

Answer 22

A forecast made of up serval forecasts

Question 23

How can the American and European models predict such different results, especially when the two models use largely the same data?

Answer 23

The two models use different equations and they assimilate data differently. There are also different amounts of space between the grid points in the models, and each model handles weather processes that happen in those spaces differently. Additionally, the models make different assumptions, and these assumptions can lead to different results and errors.

Question 24

A class was comparing the American and European weather models. They based their comparisons on the information in this lesson. Which statement about the American and European weather models is true?

a. The American model uses a more precise horizontal resolution between grid points.
b. The European model uses more separate forecasts in its ensemble forecast.
c. The American model includes only an atmospheric model and an ocean wave model.
d. The European model predicts weather out 16 days in the future.

Answer 24

The European model uses more separate forecasts in its ensemble forecast

Question 25

Eva is describing the differences between the American weather model and the European weather model to a friend. Which descriptions should she include? Select the three correct answers.

• The models use different mathematical equations.
• The models model different grid points.
• The models forecast for different periods of time.
• The models make different assumptions.

Answer 25

• The models use different mathematical equations.
• The models model different grid points.
• The models make different assumptions.