METEOROLOGY 212                                                                                                              Spring, 2006       

FINAL EXAM

 

 

Directions:  Answer all parts of all 8 questions in the blue books, except for questions requiring you to draw on the question paper.  You may use your text and any notes you like. You have 2 1/2 hours.

 

 

     Sign the release if you wish to have your grade posted.  There is no penalty for not signing.

 

Release:  I am aware of my rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, not to have my grades posted except by approval.  I wish to have my final exam and course grades posted for METR 212, Introduction to Climatology.  Grade privacy will be maintained by using the designated code shown below, NOT my name.  The grades will only be posted outside room 309, Science I building.

 

signed ____________________________________________________________________

 

Code name (make up a unique one, no social security numbers):  ______________________________

 

 

 

1.   Refer to the following figure from lecture: 

 

 

                                      

 

               a. ( 6%) In this diagram, the northern hemisphere balance point, between radiation surplus and radiation deficit occurs at a latitude which happens to fall in the U.S.  What does this mean, climatologically, for weather systems, in the U.S.?  (Stick to the theme of the diagram – namely energy transfer).

               b. ( 7%) The curves shown represent the annual average.  In your blue books, redraw the diagram as it would appear on an average Summer Solstice day in the Northern Hemisphere.  Then explain any differences you drew between your one day and the annual average shown above.

 

 

 

2.            a. ( 8%) In Miami, Florida in January, 1977 it snowed at a temperature of 30°F.  In January, 1999 the temperature reached the 80°s.  Most Januarys see temperatures in the 60-75° range.  Given these facts and, with the aid of Figure 8.1 on page 139 of your text, draw a rough “frequency-of-occurrence” diagram on the graph axes shown below.  I don’t expect exact numbers but the shapes and relative sizes of your curves should be realistic.  Label each curve you draw using Bryson’s concept of the partial collective method.

 

           

 

            b. ( 5%) Miami has a tropical climate, most of the time and they grow oranges there.  Oranges cannot stand temperatures below freezing.  What are the implications of your graph on the orange grove industry in south Florida?  (Please keep this brief)

 

 

3. This question refers to the average annual precipitation map of the state of Washington, shown below:

                       

 

 

               ( 10%) The contours are inches of precipitation.  Washington is very wet in the west but very dry in the east. Using concepts we learned in this class, explain this average annual rainfall pattern, both east and west.

 

 

 

4. For this question, refer to the following diagram which was shown in lecture:

              

 

a. ( 8%) In July the Aleutian and Icelandic Lows move north and weaken.  What does that tell us about the Hadley and Ferrel cells? 

b. ( 8%) On the following diagram of the Southern Hemisphere, draw the analogous average monthly surface Highs and Lows  for January and July.   

 

 

              

 

 

c. ( 6%) Briefly explain why you put your features in the places you chose.

 

 

5. ( 8%) Why does the Asian Monsoon “fail”?  Begin by explaining what is meant by failure of the monsoon.  Your answer must involve the circumpolar vortex somewhere.

 

 

6. For this question refer to the following graph for Oneonta:

           

The graph starts on December 16, 2004 and runs through February 15, 2005.  Observed mean daily temperatures are marked with small filled circles.  The steadier line marked with small squares represents the 1971-2000 daily temperature means.

 

While the graph starts with three perfectly average days, daily temperatures began fluctuating wildly after that. Some mean daily temperatures were 30°F above or below the average.  On January 14, the maximum temperature reached 61°F.  Eleven days later the minimum was -15°F.  This is an extreme example, but this kind of fluctuation happens often in Oneonta, especially in winter.

 

a. ( 8%) Meteorologically, why do temperatures often behave like this?  Hint: remember when we talked about what is a “normal” temperature.

 

b. ( 8%) No precipitation is shown.  Based on the temperatures (and your answer to part a), was the January 2005 precipitation:

 

far above normal,   slightly above normal,   slightly below normal  or    far below normal? 

 

Pick one. Then briefly note why you picked that answer.

 

 

 

 

 

7.  For this question, use the following standard monthly chart:

           

                                            

 

a. ( 6%) What is the main temperature Köppen climate classification shown in this chart?  It’s one of the types we studied, either A, B, C, or D.  Why did you pick that one? Use the Köppen criteria.

 

b. ( 6%) What is the main precipitation subtype?  Again, explain your answer with the Köppen criteria.

 

 

 

8. ( 6%) Pick any one of the class presentations, not your own.  Summarize in two or three sentences what the project was and what conclusions were drawn by the presenter.