Download Homework - March 10

Atsc2000: - Atmospheric Forces and Winds. Due March 10
1) a) What initially sets the air in the atmosphere in motion? b) What creates this
situation?
2) Why in the northern hemisphere do the average height of contour lines on an upperlevel isobaric map tend to decrease northward?
3) Why do upper-level winds generally blow from the west in both hemispheres?
4) Why would you not expect to observe a geostrophic wind at the equator?
5) With the aid of a diagram explain why, aloft, high and low altitudes on a constant
pressure chart represent high and low pressures on a constant height chart.
6) a) If in the northern hemisphere a surface low pressure is directly to the west, what
could be expected for the surface wind direction? b) If an upper level low is also
directly to the west, describe the expected wind direction aloft and the direction in
which middle level clouds would move . c) How would the wind direction and speed
change from the surface to the upper levels? d) Why might we expect to see clouds to
our west?
7) Explain why Chinook winds are warm and dry.
Other questions for thought
8) The change in air pressure over a given vertical distance near the surface is often
10,000 times greater than the horizontal pressure changes over the same distance.
Yet, the air seldom accelerates upward. Why not?
9) Describe the circulations which lead to sea and land breezes. When would you expect
to see clouds over the ocean, land?