BIP-MT
Demonstration Module

Laboratory Exercise

Activity

Collect the Data

  1. First, go to the North American Surface Analysis page on the NWS Weather Prediction Center website and retrieve a US surface analysis valid at either 0Z or 12Z. To do so, note the first set of pull-down menus labeled Select a Surface Analysis.  For the map region select UNITED STATES (CONUS); and for the time select either 12Z or 0Z. Once you have the map, save it to your desktop as you have in past labs.  You might want to note the date/time of your map for the next step.
  2. Next, go to the University of Wyoming Upper-Air Map site and retrieve a 500 mb map centered over the Continental U.S. To do so, select "Type of output: GIF; Type of Map: Analysis".  Next, verify that the level selected is "500 mb", the region is set to  "North America ", and the time/date matches your surface analysis.  Click "Get Map" and save this image to your local computer following the procedure as in previous assignments.

 

Analyze the Data

  1. Geographically identify the low pressure system that you have chosen and state its minimum pressure (proper units are a must). Note: On your surface chart, a low's minimum pressure is labeled as a bold number with an underline.
  2. Using only the 500-mb map (and the surface map in the case of late occlusion), classify the stage of development that your chosen mid-latitude cyclone best exhibits.  Justify your reasoning.
  3. Again, using only the 500-mb map, state whether this low pressure system will continue to flourish or instead decay, and identify the key process that is helping to maintain this low pressure system (or is lacking if you say that your system will decay).
  4. Using your surface analysis, identify a region (either geographically or meteorologically) where you would expect to find clouds and precipitation that are characteristic of overrunning?
  5. Referring to question #4, what type of clouds and precipitation would you expect to find in this region?

 

Present Your Findings

Please post your findings in the discussion forum and share them with your peers. You will also include your work as part of your Evidence of Mastery exercise.

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