1.

Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate and Related Questions

a) What is the dry adiabatic lapse rate?

The dry adiabatic lapse rate is the rate at which the temperature of a rising parcel of unsaturated
air decreases as it expands due to the decrease in atmospheric pressure with altitude. The DALR
is approximately 10°C per kilometer. This rate assumes no heat exchange with the surrounding
environment, meaning the parcel is expanding and cooling purely due to the decrease in pressure
as it ascends in the atmosphere.

b) An air layer is considered STABLE if it rises vertically and then returns to its original
position.

c) As an air parcel sinks, it COMPRESSES and its temperature INCREASES adiabatically. The
work is done ON the air parcel during the process.

d) An unsaturated air parcel changes its temperature with a rate of -10°C/km when it rises.

2. Stability of Situations

A. Cold over warm. This is because the warm air will want to rise and this will push the cold air
down. However in B the war air would just stay above.

3. Cloud Movement and Wind Forces in Argentina

a) Describe the main forces that control the horizontal motion of these clouds.

The main forces controlling the horizontal motion of clouds include the pressure gradient
force, which pushes air from high to low-pressure areas, and the Coriolis force, which deflects
moving air due to Earth's rotation. The wind itself is primarily driven by these forces, with the
Coriolis force causing the deflection of air masses and clouds, while the pressure gradient force
sets the direction of motion.

b) What would be the most likely orientation of the isobars aloft?

The most likely orientation of the isobars aloft would be northwest-southeast. This is because
the movement of clouds from northwest to southeast indicates that the wind at higher elevations
is primarily flowing in that direction. The orientation of isobars reflects the direction of the wind
at the level of the clouds.

c) At the cloud elevation, where would you most likely find the highest pressure when
considering the four sectors shown: A, B, C, or D?
The highest pressure would most likely be found in sector A, assuming it is located on the side
of the system where the air is sinking and converging. Generally, in a typical low-pressure
system, the areas where the air is rising (cloud formation) will have lower pressures, while the
areas where air is descending will have higher pressures.
Wind moves from high air pressure to low air pressure.

4. Geopotential Heights and Air Advection

a) Why are the values of geopotential height increasing from North to South?

Geopotential height increases from North to South because of the change in temperature with
latitude. Warmer air in the south causes the air to expand, increasing the geopotential height. In
contrast, cooler air in the north results in denser air, which corresponds to lower geopotential
heights.

b) Where would you expect to see a region of cold air advection over the continent?

Cold air advection typically occurs when cold air from higher latitudes moves southward,
replacing warmer air. On the map, cold air advection can be expected in regions where winds are
flowing from the north or northwest.

c) Where would you expect to see a region of warm air advection over the continent?

Warm air advection occurs when warm air from the south or southwest moves northward.
This can be observed on the map in areas where winds are directed from warmer regions toward
the continent.

d) What is the direction of the Coriolis force and the pressure gradient force at point A?
Which force is the strongest?

At point A, the Coriolis force acts perpendicular to the direction of motion, deflecting the
moving air to the right in the Northern Hemisphere. The pressure gradient force acts directly
from high to low pressure. The relative strength of these forces depends on the intensity of the
pressure gradient, but generally, the pressure gradient force is stronger when the isobars are
closely spaced.

e) What is the wind direction at point A?

The wind direction at point A would be influenced by both the pressure gradient force and the
Coriolis force, resulting in winds that are deflected to the right (in the Northern Hemisphere) of
the pressure gradient. This typically leads to winds blowing parallel to the isobars.

f) What is the direction of the Coriolis force and the pressure gradient force at point B?
Which force is strongest?
At point B, the Coriolis force will again act to the right of the wind direction, while the pressure
gradient force will push air from high to low pressure. The relative strength of these forces will
depend on the isobar spacing, with the pressure gradient force being stronger in areas where the
isobars are closer together.

g) What is the wind direction at point B?

The wind direction at point B will be similar to point A, following the same principles, and will
likely be deflected to the right of the pressure gradient force, blowing along the isobars.

h) Where could you expect to see cloudy conditions and precipitation?

Cloudy conditions and precipitation are most likely to occur where there is rising air, typically
near regions of low pressure, such as the convergence zones between air masses. These rising
air masses cool, condense, and form clouds.

i) Where could you expect to see dry conditions?

Dry conditions are generally associated with descending air, as in areas of high pressure. In
these regions, the air compresses and warms, inhibiting cloud formation and precipitation.

5. Thermal Circulations

a) Why is it typical for clouds to form over land with a sea breeze, while over the sea clouds
tend to form with a land breeze?

Clouds typically form over land during a sea breeze because during the day, land heats up faster
than the sea, causing air to rise over the land. This rising air can cool and condense, forming
clouds. In contrast, a land breeze occurs at night when the land cools more rapidly than the sea,
leading to sinking air over the land, which suppresses cloud formation over land while promoting
cloud formation over the relatively warmer sea.

b) The convergence of two sea breezes in Florida frequently produces rain showers, while
two sea breezes in California, where the sea surface temperature is comparably low, do not.
Explain.

In Florida, where sea surface temperatures are higher, the air over the sea is warmer, leading
to greater atmospheric instability when the sea breezes converge. This instability promotes
cloud formation and frequent rainfall. In California, the cooler sea surface temperatures result in
more stable air, meaning that the convergence of two sea breezes doesn't lead to significant rising
of air, hence no rainfall.