Geography 109: Weather and Climate    Instructor: Dr S. Grimmond

Final Examination: December 1994     Time: 2 hrs

Name_____________________________________ Student Number_______________________

This Exam consists of four Parts:

• A: Multiple Choice - 10 points
• B: Short answer questions - 40 points
• C: Annotated diagram -10 points
• D: Essay Questions 10 points

The numbers in brackets are the value of the questions.     Total possible points = 70. Show workings where appropriate.

PART A - 10 points (5 x 2 points).

1. The lag of the maximum refers to:

• a) difference in timing of the peak relative humidity and the peak of temperature
• b) the lag of temperature maximum relative to the peak longwave radiation
• c) the difference in timing of the peak of temperature and solar radiation
• d) the lag of solar radiation maximum and the longwave radiation maximum
• e) the lag of the solar radiation and the relative humidity peaks

2. Supercooled water refers to:

• a) water that is high in the atmosphere
• b) water in the gas phase at low temperatures
• c) water in the liquid phase below 0°C
• d) water in the solid phase below -20°C
• e) water in the gas, liquid or solid phase below -40°C

3.: Which of the following are true?

• i) Coriolis effect influences the wind speed but not the wind direction
• ii) Coriolis effect influences the wind direction but not the wind speed
• iii) Coriolis effect is influenced by wind direction but not wind speed
• iv) Coriolis effect is influenced by wind speed but not wind direction
• v) Coriolis effect influences wind speed and direction
• vi) Coriolis effect is influenced by wind speed and direction

a) i, iii b) i,iv c) ii,iii d) ii,iv e)v,vi

4.The pressure gradient force is:

• a) related to the strength of pressure difference between two points
• b) related to the latitude and strength of the pressure difference between two points
• c) dependent on the coriolis effect when it is close to the equator
• d) dependent on the coriolis effect when it is close to the poles
• e) is dependent on the centrifugal force

5. Which of the following statements are true?

• i) Geostrophic wind is when pgf=ce
• ii) Geostrophic wind occurs when the air crosses the isobars
• iii) Geostrophic wind occurs when the wind is parallel to the isobars
• iv) Geostrophic wind occurs when the isobars are straight
• v) Geostrophic wind occurs when the isobars are curved
• vi) Geostrophic wind occurs aloft     
• vii) Geostrophic wind occurs close to the surface

a) i,ii,iv,vi b) i,iii,v,vi c) i,iii,iv,vi, d) i,ii,v, viii e) iii,iv,vi

PART B Show all workings. - 40 points

1.a) On a summer day in Tucson, Arizona, the outside air temperature is 30°C and the relative humidity is 10%. Use the attached graph to calculate:

• a) the saturated vapor pressure (1)
• b) the actual vapor pressure (2)
• c) the dew point temperature (1)

2.

• a) Describe the characteristic shape of stratus and cumulus clouds. (2)
• b) What type of stability conditions are likely to be associated with each? (2)
• c) Explain the mechanisms that generate each cloud type (3)

3.

• a) Describe the different pattern of air temperatures over land and oceans for summer and winter (2)
• b) Explain the processes that cause this differential heating between land and oceans (4)

4. Explain how ocean currents can influence the humidity of air of nearby land regions (4)

5. What are the characteristics of a source region for air masses? (4)

6

• a). What is a jet stream?(2)
• b) Where are you likely to find one? (2)
• c) Explain why the location of the jet stream is not constant (3)
• d) Label the map to indicate the likely position of a jet stream when Indiana would experience cold conditions in winter (2)

7.

• a)What are the two main types of precipitation formation processes? (2)
• b) Choose one of these two processes and explain how that process allows the growth of a cloud droplet to precipitation that lands at the surface. (4)

PART C Annotated diagrams. (10 points)

Choose one of the following:

1) Draw a series of annotated diagrams to show the development and decay of a mid-latitude cyclone.

or

2) Draw two annotated diagrams to show: a) the structure of a hurricane and b) the typical paths of hurricanes that influence the east coast of the U.S.

Part D: Essay questions. 10 points. You may include annotated diagrams.

Choose one from the following:

1. The type of lifting mechanisms provides a way to distinguish precipitation types. Discuss.

2. Differential heating plays an important role in atmospheric motion at all scales. Discuss

3. Latent heat is extremely important in severe weather. Discuss.

4. Thunderstorms are important part of meteorology at a number of different scales. Discuss.

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