GEOG1

10/28/14

11/4 quiz3

Atmospheric lifting mechanisms

Adiabatic cooling of air masses expansion

Four mechanisms

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Convergent lifting (Low pressure system, weather appear)

Air flowing in from several directions

Moving into low pressure area
Causes upward air movement
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Conventional lifting (e.g. Florida, marshland )

Air passing from a maritime source region to warmer continental region causes
heating to occur then lifting

Other sources: urban heat islands; dark surface, such as plowed field
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Orographic lifting

Physical barrier rain shadow effect

Air is forcibly lifted upslope
Windward slope

Warm moist air

Condensation

Leeward slope

Dry hot air (desert)

Evaporation

Frontal lifting

Front: leading edge of an advancing air mass

Line of conflict between two air masses

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Cold front

Front: A wind shift, temp. drop, lowering barometric pressure

Fast advancing cold front: Squall line() development, thunderstorms,
tornadoes
Dramatic weather notable in spring; temp. extremes

DEC, 9 Final

CH7

GEOG1

10/28/14

11/4 quiz3

Warm fronts

Lifting of warm air wedge off the ground; initial precipitation moderate to heavy

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Atmospheric disturbances

Middle latitudes (35 55): Battleground between tropical and polar air masses

Dimensions, Movement, Duration, Weather

(Mid-latitude cyclone)

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Violent weather

Thunderstorm, tornadoes, hurricane

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Thunderstorm development

Three conditions:
1. within an air mass particularly warm, moist air
2. in a line along a cold front or other convergent boundary
3. where mountain slopes cause orographic lifting

Equatorial regions ITCZ
Kampala, Uganda 242 day a year
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Thunderstorms

Condensation liberates tremendous energy

Causes air heating & consequent violent updrafts

Rising air pulls in additional air

Raindrops form, descending causing frictional drag, forming violent downdrafts

Heavy precipitation, lightening, thunder, hail, blustery winds, maybe tornadoes

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Hailstones

DEC, 9 Final

CH7

GEOG1

10/28/14

11/4 quiz3

Tornadoes

Friction with the ground slows surface winds, but higher winds blow faster
Creates a rotation in air horizontal axis
When rotating air encounters strong updrafts, axis shifts to vertical alignment
Funnel clouds form can drop to ground forming tornado

Waterspouts

Tornado measurements

Diameter all sizes (Greensburg, KS = 1.7 miles)

Air pressure inside funnel is about 10% less than surrounding air, high wind
speeds
Enhanced Fujita Scale
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Geography

North America has greatest number

Latitudinal position

Topography

Conflicting air masses

May and June are peak months

Mid West highest number

Storm prediction center warning times of 12 30 mins currently possible

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Tropical cyclones

Originates entirely within tropical air masses

Classified as hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones
No fronts or conflicting air masses
Abundant water vapor & latent heat to fuel storms
Temperatures must exceed approximately 79 F
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Physical structure

Diameter range

Compact: 100 to 600 miles

Large: 800 1000 miles

DEC, 9 Final

CH7

GEOG1

10/28/14

11/4 quiz3

Inward-spiraling clouds from dense rainbands, with central eye area (most
intense)
Often tornadoes develop
Moves at 10 25 mph
Landfall creates a storm surge often several feet high

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Hurricane impact

Potentially the most destructive storms worldwide affecting largest number of

people
Damage impacts:

Degree of property development

Preparation of citizens

Height of storm surge

Presence of embedded tornadoes

Future intensity

DEC, 9 Final

CH7