METR 360 Review sheet for Exam 1

From your course syllabus, here are the topics shown before exam 1:

1. Norwegian model review

2. Fronts

3. Stability

4. Upper Air

PowerPoint presentations for all topics are available on the course website (http://employees.oneonta.edu/blechmjb/JBpages/METR360top17.html). We did not get to the Upper Air PowerPoint so I will not ask any questions directly from that. However, we did talk about upper air maps during discussions of the daily weather so if you see an upper air map on the exam, you should be able to read it and know how it might affect surface features (like cyclones).

Labs that were graded and returned prior to exam 1 are also subject to examination:

Surface map analysis review (Map 2 graded)

Synoptic code

Analyzing the plotted surface map and radiosonde release

Upper air code and sounding plots.

Details of what you need to know for each of the topics and labs:

Norwegian model review:

Can you make forecasts if you know the future position of elements of the Norwegian model? Given current and forecast weather maps, could you translate a particular city’s location within the model into forecast numbers of temperature, wind, weather, etc. (see sample exam 1 from last year)?

How do the various stages of the Norwegian model affect the forecast?

Fronts:

What are the kinds of fronts and what types of weather elements (temperature, weather, clouds, etc.) result from passage of each kind of front?

Given a plotted but not analyzed map, can you place the fronts in the proper places?

For your frontal placement, can you explain your reasoning for putting them in those places?

How does one recognize frontogenesis and frontolysis on surface weather maps?

Stability:

What are the types of stability and how do you know what type of stability exists on a sounding?

What are the components (lines) on a Skew T – Log P chart.

Use the Skew T – Log P chart to assess stability at various layers (1000-850 mb, 925-775 mb, etc.)

Use lifting of air parcels to assess stability.

Find the LCL of air lifted from the surface or any level.

What is CAPE and how does it tell us about stability?

From lab 1, Surface map analysis review:

Be able to draw isotherms and isobars accurately and with physical realism (for example, can you draw isobars with gradients that match the observed winds?).

Place centers of High and Low pressure in the correct places.

From lab 2, Synoptic code:

Using your lab workbook, accurately plot stations from code

Using your lab workbook, accurately devise code from plotted stations

From lab 3, Analyzing the plotted surface map and radiosonde release:

See Lab on surface map analysis review.

From lab 4, Upper air code and sounding plots:

Using your lab workbook, accurately plot upper air stations from code

Using your lab workbook, use plotted station data to write the proper upper air code.

Know the difference between mandatory levels (TTAA) and significant levels (TTBB)

I will not ask you any philosophical questions about the Asimov story “Profession.” That was for motivation.