1. Surface Map

1. Draw color streamlines (blue--relatively cold air; red--relatively warm air) on the surface chart to indicate the windflow east of the Dry Line and north and south of the unlabeled frontal line that stretches from west to east on the chart. (10 pts) (See Above)
2. Place the correct symbols (with the correct color) on the unlabeled frontal line that stretches from west to east on the chart. (Obviously, this means that you have to decide what type of front this is). (10 points) (See above)
3. The low pressure area seen in the southern Great Plains is an example of a frontal cyclone. What is the name given to this general type of surface cyclone? Why is this name given to this type of surface cyclone? (10 points) The low is an example of a "wave cyclone". The term refers to the meeting of the cold and warm fronts at the center of the low in a wave-like pattern.

2. 500 MB Chart

1. Indicate the jet stream right on the chart with a long arrow as we have done in class. (10 points)(See above)
2. If cumulonimbus clouds were present at the time of the 500 mb chart in Texas, estimate their motion (in what direction would they move and roughly how fast) based upon what you see on the 500 mb chart. (10 points) The chart indicates that the winds over Texas at the 500 mb level are southwesterly, with an average speed of about 60 knots. If cumulonimbus clouds were present, they would be directed by these winds toward the northeast at about that speed.

3. Examine the Radar Animation.

1. In what way does this animation suggest that a few thunderstorms have formed over Texas. (10 points)The radar animation shows areas of preciptation, some quite intesne, as depicted by the green, orange and red colors, moving northeastward. The most intense echoes are showing up as red and orange areas, indicative of thunderstorms.
2. Explain how the motion of the precipitation areas corresponds to your answer in 2. b. above. (10 points)The radar animation shows that the echoes, which we infer are thundrestorms, are moving towards the northeast, just as the winds at 500 mb suggested that they would.

4. Examine the Surface Chart, 2030 UTC Radar Chart, and the Visible and Infrared Satellite Images.

1. We have discussed how using the visible and infrared satellite images together helps meteorologists isolate the cloud systems that are liable to be associated with precipitation. Compare the two satellite images with the surface chart. Describe what you see on these three charts that shows that this method would NOT have worked in this case. (15 points) Both the visible and infrared images show that much of Texas is covered by clouds some of which have quite tall and cold tops. However, the surface charts shows rain only over the northeast part of the state and over Oklahoma (see above). Thus, one would have not been able to accurately assess where preciptiation actually was occurring just using the satellite images...using that method, one would have assumed that all of Texas should have been experiencing precipitation.
   
   
2. We have also discussed how using radar information to supplement the surface weather map and satellite imagery allows us to really hone in on areas of meteorological concern (for example, areas of heavy rainfall or strong/severe thunderstorms). Examine the 2030 UTC radar chart. How does this do a better job in portraying such areas of "meteorological concern" over Texas than either the surface chart or the satellite imagery. (15 points) The 2030 UTC radar chart shows preciptiation at positions that agree with the surface chart. It also shows precipitation where the surface chart gives no information whatsoever. Where preciptiation is concerned, the radar chart gives us better information than the two satellite images.