unit 6, exam 2

Question 1

Norwegian cyclone model

Answer 1

early model, explored the variance in air mass types, fronts and cyclones, derived primarily from surface weather observations.

Question 2

cyclogenesis

Answer 2

the birth of a cyclone, occurs along the polar front, directly under an area of strong horizontal divergence in the upper troposphere
-both short waves and long waves in the westerlies provide upper air lift for the development of cyclones

Question 3

Jet stream

Answer 3

relatively narrow corridors of very strong winds within the atmosphere

• determine storm track
• results from strong P gradient that develops in response to temperature gradients where the 3 hemisphere wind belts meet.

Question 4

ingredients for cyclogenesis

Answer 4

• weak atmosphere stability:favor air moving up
• nearby warm some, humid air, favors condensation, increase in buoyancy
• strong horizontal T gradients in lower troposphere that gives rise to fronts
• jet stream oriented above

Question 5

rossby waves

Answer 5

ridge and trough patterns that influence where cyclones are made because of regions of divergence and convergence
-effects regional climate

Question 6

favorable regions of cyclones

Answer 6

alberta clipper
nor’easter
Colorado low

Question 7

Alberta clipper-

Answer 7

principle tracks of cyclones that develop to the lee fo the Canadian rockies in Alberta and travel rapidly east across souther Canada or northern states

Question 8

nor’easter

Answer 8

the principal tracks of Cylcones that track toward the NE along the east coast

Question 9

colorado low

Answer 9

forms in Colorado in winter and moves across the great plains. L P

Question 10

trade wind inversions and sub tropical highs

Answer 10

responsible for wet and dry weather

Question 11

meridional flow

Answer 11

n-s air flow

• weak meridional=cold air masses stay in N, warm in S
• strong=cold and warm masses collide creating extratropical cyclones

Question 12

zonal flow

Answer 12

w-e air flow

Question 13

blocking pattern

Answer 13

a cutoff low or a cutoff high that prevents the usual W-E movement of the weather systems
-cause drought, flooding, or excess heat or cold

Question 14

arctic amplification

Answer 14

the idea that the poles warm quicker than the tropics and the equator-pole temperature gradient is reduced which causes jet stream to change in strength. More meridional flow which increases blocking patterns

Question 15

major drivers of regional climate

Answer 15

Latitudes
Mountaints
oceans
elevation
land surface uses