After completing the introductory portion of Investigation 1B in the = Investigations Manual, use the WeatherCycler provided in the Study Guide to answer the following questions.
1= . Examine the WeatherCycler slide chart. It= will be used in this and subsequent investigations to simulate various aspects of the atmospheric environment. Push in the slide of the = WeatherCycler until the red L is centered in the large window. Circles on the map represent station locations and arrow shafts indicate the direction of the = wind blowing into the stations. Place your hand on the <= i>WeatherCycler over the window and rotate your hand as appropriate to = the hand-twist motion of a Low. Your fingers move [(in the) (<= i>opposite to the)] direction of the wind arrows on the WeatherCycler map.
2= . Next, pull out the slide until the blue H is centered in the large window = of the WeatherCycler. Place your han= d over the H in the window and rotate your hand as appropriate to the hand-twist motion of a High. Your fingers move [(in the) (oppos= ite to the)] direction of the wind arrows on the WeatherCycler map.
In this way you can use the WeatherCycler to represent weather systems and predict the conditions that you find on actual current weather maps and charts.
The Image
1 "
3=
. Weather
data at individual locations are plotted in a coded format called the
"station model." The wind directions at reporting stations on the=
map
are shown by the line (which can be thought of as an arrow shaft) which dep=
icts
the air flow into circles representing station locations. Wind at a
station is named by the direction from which the air flows,
i.e., air arriving at the station from the north is a n=
orth
wind. The wind direction at
(All reporting surface weather stations can be identified from the "Available Surface Stations" link on the webs= ite and identities given in the "User's Guide." Also a map of National Weather Service offices can be found at: http://www.wrh.= noaa.gov/wrh/forecastoffice_tab.php)
4=
. Given
the direction the wind at
The wind speed is given by a combination of l=
ong
(10 knots) and short (5 knots) "feathers" on the direction shaft.
[The station model will be explained in Investigation 2A. Further details f=
or
deciphering station data can be found in your User's Guide (linked from the
course website).] At map time,
5= . A bold red "L" and a bold blue "H" have alr= eady been marked on the map. Compare the hand-twist model of a Low to the wind directions in the several state area about = this low-pressure center. Wind directions at stations across this area from the Great Lakes to eastern New York state show that, as seen from above, the air spiraled generally [(clockwise)(counterclockwise= )] around this low-pressure center, denoted by the L. With strong, well-developed Lows, the air also spirals inward toward the low-pressure ce= nter.
6= . This wind flow pattern about the Low is [(consistent with)(contrary to)] the hand-twist model of a Low.
7= . The local coverage of the sky by clouds at a station is denoted by the shading within the circle representing the station. A dark circle means overcast conditions, i.e. completely cloudy sky. An open circle means clear skies. Partial shading represents the fraction of sky covered by clouds. The skies= in the several state area about the Low were generally [(clear)(cloudy)].
8= . The hand-twist model of a Low includes vertical motions with air rising. Based = on the Low shown on this map, areas of rising air are likely to be locations o= f [(clear)(cloudy)] skies.
9= . This pattern of cloud cover [(was)(<= i>was not)] consistent with low-pressure systems being characterized = as "stormy", implying extensive cloudiness and possibly precipitatio= n.
1= 0. Wind directions at stations from Minnesota through the Dakotas to eastern Montana show that, as seen from above, the air spiraled generally [(clockw= ise)(counterclockwise)] around the high-pressure center, denoted by the H in south-central Canada. With strong, well-developed Highs, the air also spirals outward from the high-pressure center.
1= 1. The hand-twist model of a High includes vertical motions with air sinking. Base= d on the High on this map, areas of sinking air are likely to be locations of generally [(clear)(cloudy= )] skies.
1=
2. The g=
eneral
pattern of cloud cover in the north-central
1=
3. Look =
at the
Image 2 map from the Monday Current Weather Study A. This surface weather m=
ap [(was)(was not)] for the same day and tim=
e as
the
1=
4. Note =
the
precipitation areas as denoted by the radar echoes on the Image 2 map of the
Monday Current Weather Study. The precipitation areas about the
When the the current weather map available o= n the DataStreme Atmosphere website shows centers of stormy= Lows or fair weather Highs near your location, you might try having students fit your local wind direction (as shown by the school flag, for example) with m= ap circulations and the hand-twist model of weather systems. The designation of the Ls and Hs as centers of stormy and fair weather systems, respectively, = can be compared to satellite views showing clouds across the U.S. Check to see = if the region immediately around an L is generally cloudy or the broad area centered on an H as mostly clear.
One tool for wind speed conversions between miles per hour and knots (as well as other quantities) and their formulae can be found at: http://www.srh.noa= a.gov/elp/wxcalc/wxcalc.shtml.
Record your responses to items in CWS Activities 1A and 1B on the CWS
Answer Form for transmission to your course mentor.
Instructions
Transmit the following work to your instructor:
Investigations 1A and 1B Investigation Answer Form, from the Study Guide, Week 1
Return to <=
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