Chapter 4: Fronts and Winter Weather -- Meterology
Chapter 4 explores the heart of weather forecasting; how to determine the location of surface warm and cold air masses through the location of upper-level troughs and ridges.
1. Access this site:ftp://ftp.nnvl.noaa.gov/GOES/color_IR/to examine color infrared photographs fromthe GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) forthat date. This will provide a look at the movement of clouds and precipitation over the country.Scroll down to March 1, 2017. There are quite a few maps; the first two numbers after the date indicate thehourof day based on a 24-hour clock. Select a few at the beginning, the middle and the end of theday. Observe the weather changes over the 24-hour period.
(The color enhancementyou’re viewingis a procedure where specified levels of energy -- inourexample, infrared energy -- are given a specific color.This makes locations with the desired energies easier to locate.Generally, shades of yellow and orange represent infrared energy emissions consistent withthestrongestthunderstorms.No color indicates clearer skies.)
Based on what you can observe, what type of weather was Tampa experiencing on March 1st?
Now go tothe NWS Weather Prediction Center:https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/index.shtml#page=ovw.Open the Archives menu at the top and select WPC Archive Page.On the right side of the page, under Daily Weather Maps, enter March 1, 2017 and get the archived map. Scroll down to Maximum and Minimum Temperature.
Briefly describe the difference in the predominate temperaturesinthe eastern United States as compared to the western United States.
What temperaturerangedid Tampa experience on that day?
2.Return to thejet stream maps:http://virga.sfsu.edu/archive/jetstream/jetstream/small/1703/and now access thethree300 mb maps for March 15th, 2017.
Describe the overall pattern of the jet stream for March 15thin terms of troughs and ridges.
Is this indicative ofa positive, negative or normal PNA pattern?
Return to theGOES color infrared maps:ftp://ftp.nnvl.noaa.gov/GOES/color_IRTo observe the weatherinTampa on March 15th,firstaccess maps fromtheprecedingday,March14th,2017.Follow thepreviousinstructions toobserve the weather approaching Tampabeginning atmidnighton March 14th(first map)through7 am (03-14-071219) that morning.
A front was passing through Tampaduringthis time period. What type of front was this and what type of weather was impacting Tampa ahead of the front?
As this front passed through Florida, a large comma-shaped region of intense weather formed NE of Florida over the eastern seaboard(clearly visibleat midnight). What term do meteorologistsgive this weather phenomenon?
Now observe the conditions over Tampa oncolor IR for March 15, 2017. What type of weather was Tampa experiencing on March 15th?
Close this map and access thesurfacetemperature mapsagain at the Weather Prediction Center.Follow the instructions above to find the surface temperatures for March 15, 2017.Describe the general pattern you observe.
What temperature range did Tampa experience on March 15th?
3.The 500 mb upper-level map below is from January 19, 1977 – a famous day in Tampa’s weatherhistory. From observing thismap, whattype of weather do you think Tampa might have been experiencing on that day?