Washtenaw Community College Geographic Discussion Questions
Homework # 6 March 28, 2024 A companion assignment will be posted on Canvas. The assignment on Canvas is where you will submit/select your answers. This assignment is due on Monday 4/1/24 and covers topics in lectures 24 – 27 and chapters 10 and 11. 1. Where on the 500 mbar isobaric map shown in figure (1) would an incipient low-pressure system be able to grow into an extratropical cyclone? Figure 1: 500 mbar chart showing the elevation of the 500 mbar isobaric surface. Heights are reported in 10s of meters (so a value shown on the chart of 534 is 5,340 m) and contours are shown every 60 meters. Where on this map could a low-pressure system develop into an extratropical cyclone 2. Is the extratropical cyclone shown in figure (2) located in the northern or southern hemisphere? A. Northern Hemisphere B. Southern Hemisphere 1 Figure 2: Satellite image showing an extratropical cyclone. North is indicated with the arrow on the image. 3. An extratropical cyclone needs what to develop? (select all) A. alignment of the jet stream with a stationary front. B. large temperature gradient C. adequate surface moisture D. wind shear E. An unstable atmosphere F. divergence in the upper atmosphere 4. Identify the feature shown in the radar image shown in figure (3) A. Squall line B. Tornado C. Gust front D. Extratropical cyclone 5. Select the components need for a thunderstorm to develop: (select all) A. shelf cloud B. large temperature gradient C. adequate surface moisture D. wind shear E. An unstable atmosphere F. divergence in the upper atmosphere G. a trigger mechanism H. a low-pressure system to the storms northwest (in the Northern Hemisphere) 6. Ordinary cell thunderstorms Page 2 Figure 3: Identify the feature shown on this radar image. A. only last for a short while because they run out of moisture to drive the cell. B. only last for a short while because because the downdraft and updraft interact, stopping the convection in the cell. C. produced strong down-bursts that always produce secondary thunderstorms. D. only develop in strong wind sheer environments Page 3 7. Visit the ”Windy” website (https://www.windy.com/). This website offers a visually appealing and customizable way to explore weather forecasts around the world. Feel free to explore the website a bit. For this exercise, select the ”Thunderstorms” subtab that falls under the ”Rain, Thunder” option on the sidebar. This option will allow you to visualize current storms that are happening all over the globe. According to the website and your prior knowledge, which band of latitude appears to have a higher density of thunderstorms? A. 60°N to 90°N B. 30°N to 60°N C. 30°S to 30°N D. 60°S to 30°S E. 90°S to 60°S 8. Now click on the ”Humidity” subtab under the ”Temperature” section on the sidebar. Look at the relationship between humidity and thunderstorms on the global map. How does the distribution of humidity on the map correlate with these areas of thunderstorm development? Select the option that best describes the relationship observed on the Windy website: A. Regions with higher thunderstorm activity have low surface humidity, indicating dry conditions that are not conducive to thunderstorm formation. B. Areas experiencing the greatest number of thunderstorms also show high surface humidity, suggesting ample atmospheric moisture necessary for storm development. C. There is no apparent correlation between surface humidity levels and thunderstorm activity, with storms occurring randomly regardless of humidity. D. Only coastal regions with high humidity are experiencing thunderstorms, while inland areas with similar humidity levels show little to no storm activity. 9. Energy in a thunderstorm: Building on the example in class, how much energy is released in forming a thunderstorm cloud? Assume all the water in the cloud began as water vapor, and condensed into liquid water. Calculate the release of latent heat and use this calculation to estimate the energy released in building the cloud. submit your answer in kJ and search around the internet to compare the number you calculate to something you find that also has a lot of energy to put your numerical value in context. 10. Please read the article ”What is Thundersnow, the lightning and thunder booming with extreme Buffalo snow?” by Matthew Cappucci and Amudalat Ajasa published in The Washington Post. Which of the following atmospheric setups can allow thundersnow to develop? (Select all that apply) A. Strong low-pressure systems like nor’easters B. Along warm fronts C. In lake effect snow bands off the Great Lakes D. With extremely cold, dry air masses 11. Please read the article ”Do You Know What Lightning Really Looks Like?” by Steph Yin published in the New York Times. Why did artists tend to underestimate the number of branches when depicting lightning according to the research? (Select all that apply) A. It was more aesthetically pleasing to simplify the branching pattern B. Human cognitive limitations in accurately perceiving and representing higher numbers visually C. They were following long-standing artistic conventions of stylized zigzag/thunderbolt imagery D. Most artists had never actually witnessed lightning strikes in person Page 4
Collepals.com Plagiarism Free Papers
Are you looking for custom essay writing service or even dissertation writing services? Just request for our write my paper service, and we'll match you with the best essay writer in your subject! With an exceptional team of professional academic experts in a wide range of subjects, we can guarantee you an unrivaled quality of custom-written papers.
Get ZERO PLAGIARISM, HUMAN WRITTEN ESSAYS
Why Hire Collepals.com writers to do your paper?
Quality- We are experienced and have access to ample research materials.
We write plagiarism Free Content
Confidential- We never share or sell your personal information to third parties.
Support-Chat with us today! We are always waiting to answer all your questions.
