Download Homework #6 - UW Atmospheric Sciences

Name_________________________________T.A./Section__________________
Atmospheric Science 101 Homework #6
Due Thursday, May 30th (in class)
1. General Circulation
Briefly describe where each of the following features is found in the earth's general circulation.
What meteorological conditions (wind, pressure, precipitation, temperature) might you find
associated with each feature?
A. Horse latitudes
B. Polar front
C. Trade winds
D. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
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2. Advection of Air Masses by Anticyclone
Explain how a synoptic scale anticyclone initially centered over the central US can bring
record-breaking low temperatures and cP air (cold, dry continental air from Canada) to the
southeastern US and only a few days later bring very high temperatures and mT air (warm,
humid air from the Gulf of Mexico) to the same area. Hint: remember that mid-latitude
pressure systems usually move from west to east.
3. Surface Fronts
A. List four types of weather data that can help identify the location of a front.
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B. Use this information to identify the location of the warm front, cold front, and surface
low on the following map. Use the proper symbols to denote the cold and warm front. Use
Appendix C in your book (simplified surface station model) to help interpret the symbols
on the map. Note that the pressure tendency is not shown here.
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4. Contrast clouds and precipitation from cold and warm fronts
Explain why the passage of a cold front is often associated with cumulonimbus clouds and heavy
rain, whereas the passage of a warm front is usually associated with stratus clouds and little or no
rain. Draw a sketch for each case, to aid your explanation.
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5. Southern Hemisphere Mid-Latitude Storm
Consider an extratropical (midlatitude) cyclone in the Southern Hemisphere.
A. Sketch the pattern of the surface winds around the low-pressure center denoted by “L”
below.
B. Sketch the location of the warm front and the cold front relative to the low-pressure center.
Think about which direction the warm air is coming from, which direction the cold air is
coming from and which way the winds are going around the low. (Your answer does not
have to be perfect, but you have to get the right idea and orientation of the fronts.)
N
L
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