Lab 7
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Inver Hills Community College *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
1140
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by PresidentProtonOtter68
Meteorology
Lab 7 Mid-Latitude Cyclone
Please view the following weblinks to answer the questions for this lab. It is advisable to study
the figures and view the animations several times before answering the associated questions.
The use of your required textbook is also a useful reference in the study of mid-latitude
cyclones. This lab will investigate the March 2014 Nor’easter which is a mid-latitude cyclone
that develops off and along the east coast of the US. Such storms derive their energy from the
warm ocean waters of the Atlantic and the cold dry air from Canada. Vast differences in the
physical properties of air masses coming together about the developing low pressure cell off the
east coast of the US leads to the energy that sustains and strengthens the storm as it moves in
a meridional path from southwest to northeast up the East Coast into the Canadian Maritimes.
The strong northeast winds that impact the coastal and near coastal regions give these types of
mid-latitude cyclones their names as such winds lead to significant coastal flooding and erosion.
Such storms have a significant impact on all aspects of society. On the maps contained within
the weblinks used in this assignment, notice how the number and spacing of isobars changes
as the storm moves up the coast and how this impacts winds and precipitation. When isobars
are closely spaced within a limited distance the winds are strong due to a significant change in
atmospheric pressure where the opposite is true as when the isobars are spaced far apart,
respectively.
Please note that the conversion from knots to mph is 1 knot = 1.15mph. (
http://www.metric-
conversions.org/speed/knots-to-miles-per-hour.htm
)
Please view this link to answer the following questions:
Copy and paste this link into a new browser for the animation figure to work correctly
https://satelliteliaisonblog.wordpress.com/2014/03/27/unusually-strong-noreaster-for-new-
england-and-the-canadian-maritimes/
1. Please scroll down the surface weather map. At what stage of development is this mid-
latitude cyclone(nor’easter)? Is this stage the mature or developing stage and how do
you know what stage this storm is in at this stage of its life cycle?
The stage of development that this mid-latitude cyclone(nor’easter) is at is a mature
stage. I think it is at a mature stage since the cyclone is in a spiral pattern.
2. Based upon this surface weather map, in which direction is this storm forecast to
move in the coming day? In viewing the Visible Image describe the cloud pattern
associated with this nor’easter.
Based on the surface weather map, the storm is forecasted to move counterclockwise.
When viewing the image, the cloud pattern is moving north and getting close together. The
cloud patterns started very wide and spread and got denser in the middle of the cyclone.
3. Please scroll up the satellite animation. In what direction are the winds coming from
across the mid-Atlantic states near the end of the animation loop? How much of the
eastern US is this storm impacting in terms of winds and/or precipitation? In what
manner do winds circulate around a nor’easter?
When looking at the satellite animation, the winds look as if they are coming from the
Northeast. Some of the eastern US states impacted include Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire all the
way to Boston. The winds circulate counterclockwise around a nor’easter. This counterclockwise
action occurs when cold air and warm water meet and is a low pressure system.
4. Near the end of this satellite loop, which state(s) are experiencing the strongest
influence from this nor’easter and why? Please list several impacts to these locations.
Near the end of the satellite loop, the states experiencing the strongest influence from
this nor’easter include Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New
Jersey, and New York. These are right in the middle of the cyclone's eye so they get light winds
and decent weather until it moves again.
Please view this link to answer the following questions:
Copy and paste this link into a new browser for the animation figure to work correctly
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/03/25/massive-noreaster-bigger-than-hurricane-sandy-
expected-to-bring-winds-snow-cold-blast-to-northeast-for-late-march/
This is a forecast animation from March 25 through March 27, 2014. Study the animation
several times to analyze the development of this nor’easter.
Please note: the 850 mb(h Pa) chart utilized in one of the charts/animation for this link is useful
in determining the cold and warm air advection into the nor’easter. Such meteorological
information is also vital in determining where there is convergence which aids in the forecasting
of weather associated with a mid-latitude cyclone. The 850 mb (h Pa) also exhibits the wind
speeds with respect to high and low pressure cells which aid in the understanding of the
strength of these two pressure systems, respectively.
Please note the 850 mb (h Pa) explanation:
http://www.theweatherprediction.com/charts/850/
Metric converter
http://www.metric-conversions.org/speed/miles-per-hour-conversion.htm
5. In analyzing the first image on this site, where are the strongest winds at the 850 mb(h
Pa) level in the atmosphere(the elevation in the atmosphere where 850 mb(h Pa) of
pressure is measured) and why are they located in this particular location? What are the
strongest winds in mph? Also, please describe how the wind speed changes from the
center of the low pressure cell outward to where the isobars are widely spaced.
When analyzing the first image, the winds are strongest in the middle level of the
atmosphere. The cyclones converge at the center and air rises because the cyclone is rising.
6. Please scroll to the next figure which is an animation of the developing nor’easter and
click for an expanded view and notice the date and time above the image and the
maximum wind in knots at the upper left. What day and time is the pressure the lowest
and the wind speed the strongest in mph? What is the maximum wind speed in mph?
Briefly describe the relationship that exists between pressure values and wind speed.
The air pressure is lowest on Tuesday with 6 (6.90 MPH) and highest on Thursday with
42 (48.3 MPH). Wind speeds and cold weather could come together to cause a cyclone.
7. By utilizing this animation, what would be an accurate weather forecast for March 28
for Newfoundland in terms of wind and precipitation?
We could assume that the weather may be worse than it currently is and be able to
predict it as we saw the temperature and the cyclone going over the states, and using that
information we would be able to estimate the speed when it passes over warm water.
8. Now analyze the Dynamic Tropopause Potential Temperature map. The darker blue
colors indicate cold air advection and the green to reds and gray colors indicate warm air
advection. This is the predicted outcome for this nor’easter as it develops off the east
coast of the US. Is there predicted cold air advection and if so, where is it coming from
and what wind direction would usher it into the center of the low pressure cell? Is there
predicted warm air advection and if so, where is it coming from and what wind direction
would usher it into the center of the low pressure cell? How does such a storm gain rapid
strength? Can this information be utilized to demarcate cold and warm fronts associated
with this nor’easter, why or why not? Finally, how do differing air masses influence the
development and strength of such storms?
The cold air is shown to be coming from the eastern winds. The cold air is coming down
with Canada's cold land and air. The low pressure mixed with the cold air and warm water is the
cause that formed the nor’easter.
9. Please scroll down to the 850 mb (h Pa) map for Temperature and Anomaly. Note the
values on the far right of the map indicate the amount of temperature anomaly in C. Is
there a positive or negative anomaly ahead of the nor’easter, if so by what range of
temperature F? Is there a positive or negative anomaly behind the nor’easter, if so by
what range of temperature F?
The nor’easter can be caused by a negative anomaly. If it was ahead it would be -7 and
-4 degrees celsius.
10. Please scroll to the last map on this site. What are some of the wind reports in
Eastern Canada? How successful were the previously viewed maps and animations in
forecasting the movement and the strength of this nor’easter?
Some wind reports in Eastern Canada are 114mph and sustained winds at 86 mph.
When you go up to the Northern part of Canada the wind speed increases.
11. Please scroll down to the map showing the path of the storm along the coast into
Canada. Please briefly describe the change in the strength of the nor’easter based upon
wind speed reading of this storm’s history. Did the forecast models accurately predict the
path and strength based upon this map?
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
When looking at the map and the forecast, it does show the wind speed increasing. The
forecast models accurately predict the path and strength indicated on the map.
Please view this link to answer the following question:
www.weatherworksinc.com/march-25-26-blizzard-2
12. Please list several weather reports that are of interest and what you would like to
learn more about in regards to this powerful nor’easter.
I would like to learn more about these powerful nor’easters.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/winter-weather/noreaster-blankets-northeast-in-3-feet-of-
snow/1497757
https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/modeling-visualizing-and-communicating-noreaster-and-
hurricane-threats-under-sea-level-rise-to-support-coastal-management-within-new-england/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/01/25/potentially-historic-
snow-storm-takes-aim-at-northeast-this-week/
I hope you enjoyed this assignment and learned a lot about forecasting nor’easters and about
several of the weather conditions indicative of such mid-latitude cyclones.