Applications of Nsharp. Assignment 5. Due January 30

This assignment uses your laminated Skew-T diagram and nsharp. Select Ntl from the program menu and then select the nsharp icon. Load the observed sounding for Vandenburg, CA (VBG) for January 24, 1200 UTC. Play around with nsharp until you are comfortable with all its bells and whistles.

1. Using the text information (show text option) plot the surface temperature and dewpoint on your skew-T. Compute the temperature of a parcel lifted from the surface to 500 mb adiabatically and compute the difference between the parcel's temperature and the environmental temperature at 500 mb. How does this compare to the nsharp value of the lifted index? Explain any differences.

2. Using nsharp, determine the equilibrium level and temperature of a parcel lifted from the surface.

3. Assume (not very realistically) that the surface temperature increases by 5C to 15C as the surface heats up during the day. Assuming (not very realistically) that nothing else changes as the day progresses, what is the temperature a parcel of air lifted from the surface would be when it reaches 500 mb? What is its lifted index? Compare your answers to those provided by nsharp. Explain any differences. What is the parcel's equilibrium level and temperature?

4. Assume that as the temperature increases by 5C that the dewpoint also increases by 5C. Repeat the questions in #3.