Meteorology 3000- Mountain Weather and Climate
Assignment 9. Due November 15. 10 points
The goal of this assignment is to relate the presence (or absence) of clouds to the ambient conditions.
- 1. During each day over a three day period of your choosing from now until November 15, observe the presence of any clouds, precipitation, or optical phenomena at least two times per day, preferably first thing in the morning and in the afternoon/evening.
Your period of observation can include at most 1 day without any cloud.
- 2. In a table, summarize the following: location of observation, time of observation, types of cloud(s) present, estimate of cloud base, noteworthy characteristics of the cloud(s) (e.g., indications of vertical wind shear, supercooled water), where cloud(s) are located with respect to surrounding terrain, likely generating mechanism (e.g., orographic lift, instability), characteristics of any optical phenomena (location in the sky relative to the sun, colors, etc.), and type and intensity of any precipitation.
- 3. Using the sounding at Salt Lake City available in the morning and afternoon and your estimate of cloud base, estimate the temperature and wind speed and direction at cloud base. Would you expect the cloud(s) to be composed primarily of water, supercooled water, or ice? Why?
- 4. Using information available via the Internet, relate the presence or absence of clouds to the prevailing weather conditions for each observing time (e.g., upper level ridging, trough to the west).
- 5. I would prefer you turn in the assignment as an email through webCT, but, you may turn a paper copy in to me at the beginning of class.