Metr 503 Spring 2005

Quiz #1: Snap -- Part II

Execute the script:

sathts

Note the split flow over North America.

The branch of the flow over the southern tier of states in these patterns is often erroneously referred to as "the subtropical jet". It should really be referred to as either "a southern branch of the polar jet" or "a subtropical branch of the polar jet".

Using the script "eta_maps eta_thick -ft=init" and "jetstream -pac -lev=500", "jetstream -pac -lev=400", "jetstream -pac -lev=300", discuss why the jet branch over the southern tier of states is not the subtropical jet (but the polar jet); and (b) that there is a subtropical jet, however, over the Pacific.

Your discussion should just be ONE paragraph of about six sentences or so. Don't beat it to death.