IL-5_ Fronts and Cyclones
pdf
School
Salt Lake Community College *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
1010
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
Pages
2
Uploaded by BailiffSalamander3846
Question 1
: Describe three (3) differences between cold and warm fronts.
When a warm front overtakes cold air, warm air rises up and over the cold air. When a cold front
overtakes a warm front, the cold air acts as a wedge, forcing the warm air to rise. Warm fronts
are easy to recognize in the distance, but they leave clouds behind, so cold fronts aren’t as
easily recognizable. Warm fronts also move slowly, while cold fronts move faster.
Question 2
: Which type of front tends to produce the most violent weather among all
frontal types?
Cold fronts are associated with the most severe weather patterns.
Question 3
: Why do you think that type of front has the most violent weather?
When a cold front moves in, the (dense) cool dry air forces the (less dense) warm wet air to rise.
As the warm wet air rises, cooling temperatures cause clouds to form, which can cause strong
thunderstorms.
Question 4
: Why does there tend to be warm air ahead of the midlatitude cyclone?
As dense cold air moves into the warm air, it forces the warm air to rise just ahead of the cold
front.
Question 5
: a. What is the general wind direction in the warm sector of a midlatitude
cyclone? b. What is the general wind direction in the cold sector of a midlatitude
cyclone?
a.
The wind in the warm sector is typically moving counterclockwise, from southwesterly to
southerly.
b.
The wind in the cold sector is typically moving counterclockwise, from northerly to
northwesterly.
Question 6
: Describe the location of any low pressure centers on the map, within the
contiguous U.S.
There is low pressure along the occluded front running through OR, WA, ID, MO, CO, OK, and
KS. There is also low pressure along the trough running through CA, AZ, and NM. There is also
an area in the northeast with low pressure systems coming from both a stationary and occluded
front over CT.
Question 7
: For EACH of the low pressure centers described in question 6, describe
the location and type of any fronts that seem to be associated with each low. (i.e. is
touching the low or extending out from the low).
The low pressure system mostly runs along an occluded front in the northwestern part of the
US.
Question 8
: For EACH of the low pressure areas described in question 6, describe the
clouds at the location of the low pressure center.
In the southwest, clouds are visibly rotating counterclockwise from the northeast. In the
northwest, a large body of clouds looks to be approaching from the west, while a small group of
clouds appears to be rotating counterclockwise over WY, ID, and MO. In the northeast, heavy
clouds appear to be rotating counterclockwise.
Question 9
: For EACH of the fronts described in question 7, describe the clouds along
the fronts.
All three fronts are indicated by blue, high, cold clouds on the infrared map, with edges of
warmer green and yellow clouds.
Question 10
: Describe how you could use your knowledge of the general circulation of
the atmosphere, air masses and fronts, and the weather map and satellite image you
downloaded above to forecast the weather for Salt Lake City, UT over the next 24
hours.
Salt Lake City will likely have a cold front and cloud cover in the next 24 hours due to
the comma shaped cyclone developing over WY/ID/MO.
Question 11
: Using the method you describe in question 10, what would be your best
guess for what the weather will be like in Salt Lake City, UT over the next 24 hours? Be
as detailed as possible, AND describe WHY you came up with this forecast.
I imagine Salt Lake City will experience a colder morning tomorrow with the arrival of the cold
front from the midlatitude cyclone developing in the Yellowstone area. This will lead to cloud
coverage as the cold air forces the warm, wet air to rise, with clouds being created as the water
in the warm air cools.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help