Question 1

With the aid of a diagram,show why an intensifying surface low pressure center which is located just east of a deep upper-level trough will often move in a northeasterly direction.

Accepted Answer

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Question 2

How do shortwaves differ from a longwaves in the development of middle latitude storms?

Accepted Answer

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Question 3

Draw a sketch of a 500 mb chart that clearly shows a trough and a ridge.Where would you expect to find the maximum and minimum values of absolute vorticity? Where would you expect to find converging and diverging wind motions?

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Question 4

The planetary vorticity of an air parcel moving from low toward high latitude in the Northern Hemisphere will
A) increase.
B) decrease.
C) remain constant.
D) change from positive to negative.

Accepted Answer

As an air parcel moves from low to high latitude in the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect increases, leading to an increase in planetary vorticity.

Question 5

Which of the following is true about vorticity?
A) Vorticity can be observed by satellites,even during cloudy conditions.
B) Planetary vorticity is always present.
C) Relative vorticity can be either positive or negative.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

A) Vorticity can be observed through various remote sensing techniques, even during cloudy conditions.
B) Planetary vorticity arises due to Earth's rotation and is always present.
C) Relative vorticity can be either positive (counterclockwise circulation, cyclonic) or negative (clockwise circulation, anticyclonic).

Question 6

Vorticity is always present in the atmosphere,even during fair weather.

Accepted Answer

Vorticity refers to the rotation of air particles in the atmosphere, and this is always present, even during fair weather. However, the level of vorticity may vary depending on weather conditions.

Question 7

Temperature advection does not occur when the winds do not cross the isotherms.

Accepted Answer

Temperature advection refers to the horizontal transport of temperature by the wind. When winds flow parallel to isotherms (lines of equal temperature), there is no temperature change being transported across distances, hence no temperature advection occurs.

Question 8

How can shortwaves be identified and followed on 500 mb charts?

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Question 9

Lee-side lows are
A) storms (extratropical cyclones)that form on the eastern (lee)side of a mountain range.
B) thermal lows that form due to surface heating over deserts.
C) storms (tropical cyclones)that form near the Leeward Islands.
D) low pressure areas that form over oceans,then move onshore of the lee side of the coastline.

Accepted Answer

Lee-side lows are extratropical cyclones that form on the eastern (lee) side of a mountain range due to the dynamics of air flow over the mountains.

Question 10

Why does middle latitude storm development occur beneath troughs rather than ridges on a 500 mb chart?

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

The type of weather system known as a "mid-latitude cyclone" cannot form over the tropical ocean because:
A) surface temperature contrasts are not large.
B) the ocean surface has a lot of waves.
C) the Coriolis force is weak in the tropics.
D) both surface temperature contrasts are not large and the ocean surface has a lot of waves.
E) both surface temperature contrasts are not large and the Coriolis force is weak in the tropics.

Accepted Answer

Mid-latitude cyclones require large surface temperature contrasts and strong Coriolis force, both of which are not present in the tropics. The statement about ocean surface waves is not relevant in this case.

Question 12

Explain how cyclogenesis works.

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

During baroclinic instability,
A) wave cyclones can intensify into large storm systems.
B) strong wind speed shear exists from the surface up to at least the 500 mb level.
C) rising and descending air motions exist.
D) temperature advection is occurring.
E) all of these

Accepted Answer

Baroclinic instability occurs when there is a temperature gradient in the atmosphere, which results in rising and descending air motions, temperature advection, and strong wind speed shear. These conditions can lead to the intensification of wave cyclones into large storm systems. Therefore, all of the given choices are correct.

Question 14

List two regions in the United States where cyclogenesis is common.Why does cyclogenesis preferentially occur in these areas?

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Question 15

Describe,in words or with a sketch,a wind flow pattern that will result in upper-level divergence.

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Question 16

Why is it important locate and follow the movements of atmospheric shortwaves?

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Question 17

Vorticity refers to
A) the rising and sinking of air along weather fronts.
B) the formation of clouds.
C) the spin of air parcels.
D) the changing of the seasons.
E) the development of a wave cyclone.

Accepted Answer

Vorticity is a measure of the rotation or spin of air parcels. It is an important concept in meteorology as it is related to the formation of weather systems such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Options A, B, D, and E do not accurately describe vorticity.

Question 18

If we assume that the absolute vorticity of flowing air is conserved,air moving northeastward will bend ____ to compensate for the ____ in the earth's vorticity.
A) anticyclonically,decrease
B) anticyclonically,increase
C) cyclonically,increase
D) cyclonically,decrease

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Question 19

Describe or illustrate the various phases in the life cycle of a middle latitude storm according to the polar front theory.

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Question 20

Which of the following statements is not correct about vorticity?
A) The earth's vorticity in the Northern Hemisphere is positive.
B) The earth's vorticity is zero at the poles.
C) Air that spins cyclonically possesses positive vorticity.
D) Absolute vorticity is the sum of the earth's vorticity and the relative vorticity.

Accepted Answer

The earth's vorticity is maximum at the poles and decreases as one moves towards the equator. Therefore, the statement that the earth's vorticity is zero at the poles is not correct.

Quiz 12: Middle-Latitude Cyclones

With the aid of a diagram,show why an intensifying surface low pressure center which is located just east of a deep upper-level trough will often move in a northeasterly direction.

How do shortwaves differ from a longwaves in the development of middle latitude storms?

Draw a sketch of a 500 mb chart that clearly shows a trough and a ridge.Where would you expect to find the maximum and minimum values of absolute vorticity? Where would you expect to find converging and diverging wind motions?

The planetary vorticity of an air parcel moving from low toward high latitude in the Northern Hemisphere will

Which of the following is true about vorticity?

Vorticity is always present in the atmosphere,even during fair weather.

Temperature advection does not occur when the winds do not cross the isotherms.

How can shortwaves be identified and followed on 500 mb charts?

Lee-side lows are

Why does middle latitude storm development occur beneath troughs rather than ridges on a 500 mb chart?

The type of weather system known as a "mid-latitude cyclone" cannot form over the tropical ocean because:

Explain how cyclogenesis works.

During baroclinic instability,

List two regions in the United States where cyclogenesis is common.Why does cyclogenesis preferentially occur in these areas?

Describe,in words or with a sketch,a wind flow pattern that will result in upper-level divergence.

Why is it important locate and follow the movements of atmospheric shortwaves?

Vorticity refers to

If we assume that the absolute vorticity of flowing air is conserved,air moving northeastward will bend to compensate for the in the earth's vorticity.

Describe or illustrate the various phases in the life cycle of a middle latitude storm according to the polar front theory.

Which of the following statements is not correct about vorticity?