Question 1

Suppose you observe a middle-latitude cyclone on the surface weather chart.What kind(s)of weather chart(s)would you want to examine to determine whether the cyclone is likely to strengthen or decay over the next 24 hours? What information would you hope to gain from each chart type?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Suppose you observe a middle-latitude cyclone on...

Question 2

What is cyclogenesis? List some of the regions in the United States where cyclogenesis is common.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is cyclogenesis? List some of the...

Question 3

A lee-side low forms on the downwind side of a mountain.

Accepted Answer

When wind flows over a mountain, it is forced to rise on the windward side, causing cooling and condensation of moisture which can result in precipitation. As the wind descends on the leeward side, it compresses and warms up, leading to dry, clear conditions. However, if there is enough moisture in the air, a lee-side low pressure system can form on the downwind side of the mountain. This occurs when the descending air on the leeward side meets a low pressure system and is forced to rise, which can cause clouds and precipitation to form.

Question 4

The polar front theory was developed by the famous explorer Magellan in the 1500s.

Accepted Answer

The polar front theory was actually developed in the early 20th century by Norwegian meteorologist, Vilhelm Bjerknes.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe or illustrate the various phases in...

Question 6

If lows and highs aloft were always directly above lows and highs at the surface,the surface systems would quickly disspiate.

Accepted Answer

When surface lows and highs align directly with upper-level lows and highs, there is no vertical wind shear to sustain the surface systems, leading to their rapid dissipation.

Question 7

The development or strengthening of a middle latitude storm system is called frontolosys.

Accepted Answer

The development or strengthening of a middle latitude storm system is called cyclogenesis. Frontolysis refers to the weakening or dissipation of a weather front.

Question 8

When making a weather forecast,which kind of chart is more important: a surface chart or a 500 mb chart? Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When making a weather forecast,which kind of...

Question 9

Longwaves in the middle and upper troposphere usually have lengths on the order of thousands of kilometers.

Accepted Answer

Longwaves in the middle and upper troposphere have wavelengths typically ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of kilometers.

Question 10

Divergence in the polar jet stream draws warm surface air upward.

Accepted Answer

When there is divergence in the polar jet stream, it means that air is moving away from each other, which creates a vacuum that sucks warm surface air upward. This process can lead to the formation of low pressure systems and can impact the movement of weather systems.

Question 11

Using Figure 10.17,can you identify regions of cold advection? Warm advection? Explain your reasoning.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using Figure 10.17,can you identify regions of...

Question 12

The piling up of air above a region is called thickening.

Accepted Answer

The piling up of air above a region is actually called "high pressure" or "anticyclone", not thickening.

Question 13

A 'building anticyclone' means the central pressure is increasing.

Accepted Answer

A building anticyclone refers to a high-pressure system where the central pressure is increasing, often leading to clear and dry weather.

Question 14

List some of the reasons why the polar front theory doesn't apply to storms in the tropics.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List some of the reasons why the...

Question 15

Describe some of the ways in which the upper-level wind flow pattern can influence the development and movement of a middle latitude storm system.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe some of the ways in which...

Question 16

Sketch a 500 mb chart that clearly shows a trough and a ridge.Where would you expect to find converging and diverging wind motions? Below what point on your 500 mb chart would you expect middle latitude storm development to occur?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sketch a 500 mb chart that clearly...

Question 17

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

The answer of With the aid of a diagram,show why...

Question 18

What does the term "shortwave" refer to? Why is it important to locate and follow the movements of atmospheric shortwaves? How is this done? How is a shortwave different from a "longwave?"

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does the term "shortwave" refer to?...

Question 19

A surface low pressure area with a deep upper-level trough to the west will tend to move toward the southwest.

Accepted Answer

A surface low pressure area with a deep upper-level trough to the west will typically move toward the east or northeast, as the prevailing winds aloft (west to east) guide the system.

Question 20

Lee-side lows are thermal lows that form due to surface heating over deserts.

Accepted Answer

Lee-side lows, also known as lee troughs, form on the downwind side of mountains due to the adiabatic warming of air descending the slopes, not due to surface heating over deserts.

Quiz 10: Mid-Latitude Cyclonic Storms