Where Do Thunderstorms Form Most Frequently In The US?
1. Explain how observed teleconnection patterns can help in the preparation of a seasonal weather forecast. Observed teleconnection patterns are beneficial in preparing seasonal weather forecast because they allow for long range forecasts. By leveraging the relationship between large-scale oceanic and atmospheric changes between specific areas and regions climate scientist are able to create relatively accurate long range predictions. These forecasts are not only important because they explain prevailing weather patterns but also because they provide benchmarks for subsequent years.
2. If the temperature is dropping and the dew point is holding steady, what is your forecast for the relative humidity? Explain your answer. Should the temperature drop and the dew point hold, …show more content…
one would expect the relative humidity to increase. As the temperature decreases, the air becomes closer to the dew point temperature indicating that it is becoming more saturated.
3. In what ways are severe thunderstorms different from ordinary cell thunderstorms? What are some of the meteorological or atmospheric conditions that favor the development of severe thunderstorms? Severe thunderstorms differ from ordinary ones in that they typically produce at least one of the following weather events: tornados, hail at least one inch in diameter, or wind gust over 50 knots.
Severe thunderstorms are aided in their development by: random turbulent eddies that lift small pockets of air, unequal surface heating, uplift provided by features of the terrain (such as along mountain barriers, small hills, and gentle rises), diverging upper-level winds interacting with converging surface winds and rising air, and warm air rising along a frontal zone.
4. Where do thunderstorms form most frequently in the US? Why is this the case? Is this also where most tornadoes occur? Explain. Thunderstorms occur most often in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, and the southeastern states. Many of the thunderstorms that form over the eastern 2/3 's of the US occur as part of the general convergence and frontal wedging that accompany passing mid latitude cyclones. Per unit area Florida experiences the most tornadoes, though they tend to be rather weak with the majority being EF0 or EF1. This number of tornadoes is boosted by ones that form along the edges of hurricanes that occur near the
state.
5. The region of greatest tornado activity shifts northward from early spring to summer. Why does this occur? In early spring and into summer, humid air from the Gulf moves northward along with contrasting air masses. Later in the summer, the contrast between air masses begins to lessen and the jet stream blows near the northern plains eastward towards New York. These actions causes tornadoes to be most common in the southern Atlantic states and the southern Great Plains during these time periods.
References
Ahrens, C. D. (2014). Essentials of Meteorology: An Invitation to the Atmosphere (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Pub. Co.
2. If the temperature is dropping and the dew point is holding steady, what is your forecast for the relative humidity? Explain your answer. Should the temperature drop and the dew point hold, …show more content…
one would expect the relative humidity to increase. As the temperature decreases, the air becomes closer to the dew point temperature indicating that it is becoming more saturated.
3. In what ways are severe thunderstorms different from ordinary cell thunderstorms? What are some of the meteorological or atmospheric conditions that favor the development of severe thunderstorms? Severe thunderstorms differ from ordinary ones in that they typically produce at least one of the following weather events: tornados, hail at least one inch in diameter, or wind gust over 50 knots.
Severe thunderstorms are aided in their development by: random turbulent eddies that lift small pockets of air, unequal surface heating, uplift provided by features of the terrain (such as along mountain barriers, small hills, and gentle rises), diverging upper-level winds interacting with converging surface winds and rising air, and warm air rising along a frontal zone.
4. Where do thunderstorms form most frequently in the US? Why is this the case? Is this also where most tornadoes occur? Explain. Thunderstorms occur most often in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, and the southeastern states. Many of the thunderstorms that form over the eastern 2/3 's of the US occur as part of the general convergence and frontal wedging that accompany passing mid latitude cyclones. Per unit area Florida experiences the most tornadoes, though they tend to be rather weak with the majority being EF0 or EF1. This number of tornadoes is boosted by ones that form along the edges of hurricanes that occur near the
state.
5. The region of greatest tornado activity shifts northward from early spring to summer. Why does this occur? In early spring and into summer, humid air from the Gulf moves northward along with contrasting air masses. Later in the summer, the contrast between air masses begins to lessen and the jet stream blows near the northern plains eastward towards New York. These actions causes tornadoes to be most common in the southern Atlantic states and the southern Great Plains during these time periods.
References
Ahrens, C. D. (2014). Essentials of Meteorology: An Invitation to the Atmosphere (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Pub. Co.