Understanding Mid-Latitude Cyclones: Formation and Effects

Name: Insert name here Lab 11: The Mid-Latitude Cyclone Objective: This lab is designed to introduce students to the weather phenomena associated with the mid-latitude cyclone. Surface and upper air analysis will be utilized to determine the type and locations of distinct air masses and frontal zones. Materials needed: Textbook Part 1: Cyclogenesis: The Formation of a Cyclone The Norwegian (“polar front”) cyclone model simplifies mid-latitude cyclone development, often termed cyclogenesis and storm decay called cyclolysis . The model provides a starting point for understanding how these storm systems and their associated fronts affect temperature, dew point, pressure, winds, clouds, and precipitation over the regions in which they move. Mid-latitude cyclones are large systems that travel great distances and often bring precipitation, and sometimes severe weather, to wide areas. Lasting a week or more and covering large portions of a continent, they are familiar as the systems that bring abrupt changes in wind, temperature, and sky conditions. Indeed, all of us who live outside the tropics are well acquainted with the effects of these common events. 1

Visible satellite image of a mid-latitude cyclone Use your textbook to match each description, which represents a stage of the Norwegian cyclone model, with its corresponding letter from each image. The statements below provide a chronological sequence of events for mid-latitude cyclone development and decay. 1. Cold and warm air clash. The cold air attempts to push south and the warm air attempts to push north. The two differing air masses reach a stalemate and a stationary front develops. Matching figure is letter: B 2. A disruption to the mean flow occurs along the stationary front, and the front begins to buckle with warm air beginning its northward push on the eastern side of the front and cold air beginning is southward push on the western side of the front. Matching figure is letter: D 3. The cyclone becomes mature with distinct warm and cold fronts extending from a developing low pressure. Matching figure is letter: E 4. As the cold front races eastward, it catches up with the slower moving warm front and gradually overtakes it producing an occlusion. At this point, the storm has reached its maximum intensity. Matching figure is letter: A 5. The cold front continues to overtake the warm front forcing the low level warm air upwards. This displacement of the warmer air causes the storm to weaken over time. Matching figure is letter: C 2 A B C D

6. List in chronological order the letters detailing the correct sequence of cyclone formation and decay. BDEAC 1. Draw arrows (lines) to match the correct top view of a mid-latitude cyclone with its corresponding side view image on the right. 3 E

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Part 2: Synoptic scale conditions surrounding the cyclone Fronts Associated with a Mid-Latitude Cyclone Use the figure above to answer the questions below: 1. Assume you are on a boat at position A. Looking west, what kinds of clouds would you see? Storm clouds 2. Why is the precipitation at position B light & continuous instead of heavy and sudden? It is not near the center because of the direction and position 4

3. Assume you are standing at position D. Looking west, what kinds of clouds would you see? Clear but there would be a little storm clouds 4. Describe the kind of weather conditions you should soon expect at position D, and explain why they are likely. Very windy and rainy Using the following map for an idealized mid-latitude cyclone, answer the following questions by matching the letter that best represents the associated surface weather conditions. If there is no answer, please use “NA” for not applicable. Which station: Letter 1. Is currently situated right along the warm front: B 2. Has just experienced the passage of a cold front: D 3. Is experiencing the brunt of a continental polar air mass: G 4. Is located within the middle of the warm sector of the storm: I 5

Answer the following questions using the map above. 5. Is warm and humid with a few cumulus clouds located overhead: D 6. Is most likely experiencing cirrus clouds: A 7. Is experiencing severe thunderstorms and possibly tornadoes: I 8. Has light to moderate rain showers with no real severe weather: D 9. Has cumulonimbus clouds: B 10. Is located closest to the occluded front. NA 11. Is closest to the low pressure center. C 12. Has strong west-northwest winds and is clear and cold. F 6

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1. What is the time and date of the map in Central Standard Time? October 31 2006 at 1 pm 2. Determine where the low pressure center is located and state its approximate location. North michigan 3. How did you determine where the low center was located? Normal temps and low wind speed 4. Where are the winds speeds the strongest in reference to the low pressure center? (North, South, East, West, etc.?) East, west 5. List the states in which a major cold front cuts across. Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and Illinois 6. How did you determine where the cold front was located? Temperatures and wind 7. List the states in which a major warm front cuts across. California, Texas 8. How you determine where the warm front was located? High temps 9. Approximately how much did temperatures drop behind the cold front? 20 degrees 7

10. Approximately how much did dew point temperatures drop behind the cold front? 15 degrees 11. How did the wind shift across the cold frontal boundary? It changed direction to east 12. What was the predominant wind direction in the warm sector of the storm? West 13. What was the predominant wind direction in the cP air mass? East An infrared satellite image is located at the bottom of this page. 1. How many distinct low centers can you locate? 3 2. How did you determine the locations of the low pressure centers? Low amount 8

Part 3: Storm Tracks The figure below represents typical winter storms tracks across the United States. Keep in mind, these are average storm tracks. Actual storm paths would include a large zone surrounding the path lines by several hundred miles. 9

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1. List all the storm tracks that may affect Crystal Lake during the winter. North Pacific, Colorado, north rocky 2. From your list in the previous question, which 2 storms would most likely produce the most snow over Crystal Lake? Why? North rocky mountain and panhandle because of the direction of the wind 3. Which one of the storms produces extreme cold, blizzard conditions, and moves extremely fast? Panhandle 4. Explain why the North Pacific storm track usually produces very little snow by the time it reaches Crystal Lake? Click here to enter text. 5. List all the tracks that would be responsible for producing huge storms called Nor’easters. Alberta clippers and north rocky mountain 6. By looking at the storm tracks, explain why the northeast U.S. get much larger snowstorms than the Midwest. Click here to enter text. 10

7. Which storm usually results in heavy lake effect snow after it passes? Alberta clipper 8. Which is the only storm track that doesn’t really affect the northeast? Panhandle 11

Lab11

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