What is the difference between a stable and unstable atmosphere?
Weather is strongly affected by how stable or unstable the atmosphere is. Stable air means that the weather is likely to be calm. It may rain or snow slowly and steadily, it may be sunny, but the weather will not change quickly. Unstable air means that the weather might change quickly with very little warning.
Which air parcel is more buoyant?
A relatively warm parcel of air has a lower density than the cooler air surrounding it; therefore, it will be positively buoyant and have a tendency to rise. As the temperature (density) difference between an air parcel and its immediate environment increases, so does the buoyancy.
Why does an air parcel cool?
A rising parcel of air expands because the air pressure falls with elevation. This expansion causes the air to cool.
What is the tendency of an air parcel to rise remain in place or fall?
Stability
What are the four ways to lift air?
– There are four lifting mechanisms that form clouds: Orographic Lifting, Convection, Convergence, and Updraft. – Orographic lifting is when air cannot go through a mountain, and so it flows over it. – Frontal Lifting is when less dense warm air is forced to rise over cooler, denser air as a weather fronts move.
What causes lift weather?
Orographic lifting is when air is lifted over an obstacle, like a mountain. When air hits a mountain, it has nowhere to go but up, so up it goes! As it rises, it cools and condenses, which forces most of the moisture out and creates wet conditions on the windward side and dry conditions on the leeward side.
What is orographic turbulence?
Orographic lift occurs when an air mass is forced from a low elevation to a higher elevation as it moves over rising terrain. As the air mass gains altitude it quickly cools down adiabatically, which can raise the relative humidity to 100% and create clouds and, under the right conditions, precipitation.
How do computers play a role in meteorology?
They collect data from weather stations. They draw weather maps. They measure temperature, humidity, and wind speed. They send out microwaves to make radar measurements.
Which tools do meteorologists use to collect data about the weather?
Observational data collected by doppler radar, radiosondes, weather satellites, buoys and other instruments are fed into computerized NWS numerical forecast models. The models use equations, along with new and past weather data, to provide forecast guidance to our meteorologists.
Why do meteorologists use supercomputers?
The National Weather Service uses supercomputers around the clock to accurately produce forecasts, watches, warnings and a whole host of data for the public. Currently, the combined processing power of NWS supercomputers is 8.4 petaflops, which is more than 10,000 times faster than the average desktop computer.
Why does meteorologist use computers?
Like every other area of science, and life in general for that matter, computers are important to modern meteorology. Using computers helps weather forecasters analyze the atmosphere by drawing weather maps separately for each of several atmospheric levels.
How are super computers used?
Supercomputers play an important role in the field of computational science, and are used for a wide range of computationally intensive tasks in various fields, including quantum mechanics, weather forecasting, climate research, oil and gas exploration, molecular modeling (computing the structures and properties of …
How computers are used in industry?
Industrial computers are often used on the factory floor, where they control processes and production. As well as controlling manufacturing equipment, an industrial computer may be used to monitor processes, acquiring and analysing data, sometimes outdoors.