Study Guide

Study Guide - Exam 3

Chapter 8

What is an air mass?

Air masses are classified based on what two factors?

What is a source region?

Are air masses typically formed in the mid-latitudes?

Be familiar with the generalities of air masses

    For example - a continental polar air mass would be cool and dry.

What two air masses are most important to weather in the United States east of the Rockies?

Be familiar with the "lake effect" and what impact it has on cP air masses.

What air mass and source region provide the greatest amount of moisture to the eastern and central US?

 Chapter 9 –

What is a weather front? 

How does a weather front form?

Be familiar with the basics of:

Cold Fronts

Warm Fronts

Occluded Fronts &

Stationary fronts

You should know how each forms, what the typically weather is like associated with each and what it is like behind a weather front (or after a front pushes through a region).

You should be able to identify each type of front and be able to estimate the weather, air temperature, and pressure of each front on a weather map.

You should know the basics of a mid-latitude cyclone

            -How to identify it on weather map

            -What type of weather is associated

            -How do you know (based on a weather map) when a mid-latitude cyclone is beginning, when it is in the middle, and when it is ending.

Chapters 10 & 11

Know the basic conditions needed for a thunderstorm to form.

Have an understanding of the general differences between an ‘air mass’ thunderstorm and a ‘severe’ thunderstorm.

Where do the majority of thunderstorms occur in the US and why?

What is a supercell?

What is a squall line?

 

Know generally how lightening forms and what thunder is.

What type of storm is a tornado?

            -Know the wind movement and the central pressure

            - What is the pressure gradient like associated with a tornado

            -Where are tornadoes most common, what time of year, and why.

What type of conditions lead to the formation of a tornado?

What causes the most damage associated with a tornado?

What are the three factors necessary for a hurricane to form?

What type of storm is a hurricane?  What is the central pressure?

What is the pressure gradient like associated with a hurricane.

Be able to compare and contrast hurricanes and mid-latitude cyclones?  How would you be able to identify each on a weather map?

What are some of the hazards associated with a hurricane?

            -What is storm surge?

What is the Saffir Simpson scale?

Why do we not have hurricanes here in CA?

Chapter 15 -

Have a basic understanding of the Koppen Classification

    -What is an 'A' climate? (Humid/Tropical)

       *Where does it occur (roughly) geographically?

       * What is the annual temperature like in an 'A' climate region?

       * What is the annual precipitation like in an 'A' climate region?

-What is an 'B climate? (Arid)

       *Where does it occur (roughly) geographically?

       * What is the annual temperature like in an 'B' climate region?

       * What is the annual precipitation like in an 'B' climate region?

-What is an 'C' climate? (Mid-Latitude, mild winter)

       *Where does it occur (roughly) geographically?

       * What is the annual temperature like in an 'C' climate region?

       * What is the annual precipitation like in an 'C' climate region?

-What is an 'D' climate? (Mid-latitude, severe winter)

       *Where does it occur (roughly) geographically?

       * What is the annual temperature like in an 'D' climate region?

       * What is the annual precipitation like in an 'D' climate region?

-What is an 'E' climate? (Polar)

       *Where does it occur (roughly) geographically?

       * What is the annual temperature like in an 'E' climate region?

       * What is the annual precipitation like in an 'E' climate region?

What impact does elevation have on climate/ How are 'Highland' climates different than the surrounding area?

Chapter 14 -

What is 'climate'?

"Climate" is assessed/based on what period of time?

Have a basic understanding of the parts of the climate system- solid Earth, biosphere, and cryosphere.

Have a general understanding of the 'Greenhouse Effect' and how it related to Global Warming.

    -The Earth is getting warmer but it is still hotly debated as to whether or not that warming is caused by human influence or natural processes.

    -Have a general understanding of how humans have been influencing the Earth and how climate may change naturally.

OVERVIEW:

*This is the last exam, so these chapters (especially Chapter 15) tie together many of the concepts that we have learned this semester.

I think the basic things that you should have an understanding of are

1. The major elements of weather and climate:

    A. Temperature

    B. Pressure

    C. Moisture Content (humidity)

    D. Wind

    E. Clouds

2. The major factors that 'control' weather and climate:

    A. Latitude

    B. Distribution of Land vs. Water

    C. Atmospheric Circulation

    D. Ocean circulation

    E. Topographic Barriers

    F. Altitude

    G. Storms

For example:

How is the Earth heated?  Is it simple that the sun radiates heat?

Why are the poles cold and the equator warm?

In addition - why is it that the poles do not get progressively colder each year nor does the equator get progressively warmer?

Why do the East and Gulf coasts have warm humid summers but the West coast has warm dry summers?

Why is that sometimes, for example, throughout the year, it may be warm here at Cerritos but if you look out you can see snow at the tops of the mountains?

***You are welcome to try to answer any of these questions and send them to me to make sure you are on the right track.

I also suggest that you study your old exams.