Lab11
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Erie Community College *
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MISC
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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10
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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.
Visible satellite image of a mid-latitude cyclone
1
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: 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: 3.
The cyclone becomes mature with distinct warm and cold
fronts extending from a developing low pressure.
Matching figure is letter: 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: 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: 6.
List in chronological order the letters detailing the
correct sequence of cyclone formation and decay. Click here to enter text.
A
B
C
D
E
2
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
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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?
Click here to enter text.
2.
Why is the precipitation at position B light & continuous instead of heavy and sudden?
Click here to enter text.
3.
Assume you are standing at position D. Looking west, what kinds of clouds would you see?
Click here to enter text.
4.
Describe the kind of weather conditions you should soon expect at position D, and explain why they are likely.
Click here to enter text.
4
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:
2. Has just experienced the passage of a cold front:
3. Is experiencing the brunt of a continental polar air mass:
4. Is located within the middle of the warm sector of the storm:
5. Is warm and humid with a few cumulus clouds located overhead:
6. Is most likely experiencing cirrus clouds:
7. Is experiencing severe thunderstorms and possibly tornadoes:
8. Has light to moderate rain showers with no real severe weather:
9. Has cumulonimbus clouds:
10. Is located closest to the occluded front.
11. Is closest to the low pressure center.
12. Has strong west-northwest winds and is clear and cold.
5
Answer the following questions using the map above.
1.
What is the time and date of the map in Eastern Standard Time?
Click here to enter text.
2.
Determine where the low pressure center is located and state its approximate location. Click here to enter text.
3.
How did you determine where the low center was located?
Click here to enter text.
6
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4.
Where are the winds speeds the strongest in reference to the low pressure center? (North, South, East, West, etc.?)
Click here to enter text.
5.
List the states in which a major cold front cuts across. Click here to enter text.
6.
How did you determine where the cold front was located?
Click here to enter text.
7.
List the states in which a major warm front cuts across. Click here to enter text.
8.
How you determine where the warm front was located?
Click here to enter text.
9.
Approximately how much did temperatures drop behind the cold front?
Click here to enter text.
10.
Approximately how much did dew point temperatures drop behind the cold front?
Click here to enter text.
11.
How did the wind shift across the cold frontal boundary?
Click here to enter text.
12.
What was the predominant wind direction in the warm sector of the storm?
Click here to enter text.
13.
What was the predominant wind direction in the cP air mass?
Click here to enter text.
7
An infrared satellite image is located at the bottom of this page. To help you identify the mid-latitude cyclones in an animation, you can access the video link
. 1.
How many distinct low centers can you locate in the Northern Hemisphere? 2.
How many distinct low centers can you locate in the Southern Hemisphere? 3.
How did you determine the locations of the low pressure centers?
Click here to enter text.
4.
Why do the mid-latitude cyclones rotate in opposite directions in opposing hemispheres?
Click here to enter text.
5.
What direction to the cyclones rotate in the Northern Hemisphere (clockwise or counterclockwise)?
Click here to enter text.
6.
Why do the mid-latitude cyclones rotate in opposite directions in opposing hemispheres?
Click here to enter text.
7.
There’s an abundance of cloud and mid-latitude cyclones located near the top and bottom of image, what’s the name of the global pressure zone that’s associated with these clouds?
Click here to enter text.
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. 1.
List all the storm tracks that may affect Erie County during the winter.
Click here to enter text.
2.
From your list in the previous question, which 2 storms would most likely produce the most snow over Erie County? Why? Click here to enter text.
3.
Which one of the storms produces extreme cold, blizzard conditions, and moves extremely fast? Click here to enter text.
9
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4.
Explain why the North Pacific storm track usually produces very little snow by the time it reaches Erie County?
Click here to enter text.
5.
List all the tracks that would be responsible for producing huge storms called Nor’easters.
Click here to enter text.
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.
7.
Which storm usually results in heavy lake effect snow after it passes?
Click here to enter text.
8.
Which is the only storm track that doesn’t really affect the northeast?
Click here to enter text.
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