OTHER TOPICS -----> Intro/Maps Atmosphere Climate / Hydrosphere
Biosphere / Soils Tectonics Specific Environments

ATMOSPHERE CHAPTERS -----> Atmosphere Temp/Energy Pressure/Wind Moisture Storms

Air Masses and Storms

I.   EXTRATROPICAL CYCLONES (AIR MASS STORMS)

A.   Air Masses

  1. Definition
  2. Source Regions
    • "c" = continental = dry
    • "m" = maritime = wet
    • "P" = polar = cold
    • "T" = tropical = warm
    • "A" = arctic = VERY COLD and dry
B.   Fronts

  1. Definiton
  2. Types
C. Extratropical Cyclones (LOW pressure systems)
  1. characteristics / life cycle: animated diagram ... satellite view
  2. radar map (current radar)
  3. multiple storms
II.   Hurricanes --- typhoon --- tropical cyclone

A.   Stages of development

  1. tropical disturbance (easterly wave?)
  2. tropical depression (sustained winds of 23-39 mph)
  3. tropical storm (sustained winds of 40-74 mph)
  4. hurricane (sustained winds > 74 mph)
B.   Eye / or this angle

C.   Storm surge / video / video 2

D.   Hurricane climatology and details

  1. hurricane season: Atlantic / E Pacific
  2. avg # hurricanes: Atlantic vs. E Pacific vs. W Pacific
  3. global hurricane frequency (major hurricanes,   accum. cyclone energy [ACE])
  4. Atlantic / E Pacific names ... (worldwide)
III.   Thunderstorms

A.   Lightning >> shockwave >> thunder

  1. super slow motion ... #2 ... #3
  2. STAY AWAY FROM TREES! (video / video 2 / video 3)
  3. warning signs! ... and here ... and here
  4. Types: CG / CC / IC / ribbon / spider (video)
  5. 477 mi long / 17.102 seconds
  6. lightning strikes during AZ monsoon
B.   Stages of development
  1. cumulus -- updrafts
  2. mature -- updrafts and downdrafts (time lapse)
  3. dissipating = downdrafts (video)
C.   Contrast between cold-warm and/or wet-dry

D.   Microburst winds (animation) (video, video 2)

  1. gust front
  2. dust storm (July 5, 2011)... video 1 / video 2
  3. virga
E.   "Supercell" (time lapse) (satellite time-lapse)

F.   Thunderstorm distribution

  1. world = equator
  2. U.S. = Florida (fatalities)
IV.   Tornadoes

A.   Basic definition and characteristics

  1. extreme low pressure vortex ... video: funnel forming
  2. form in SW quadrant of thunderstorm
  3. videos
B.   Funnel Cloud ... ... and another (dust devils: totally unrelated)

C.   Tornado distribution

  1. >75% of world's tornadoes in U.S.
  2. where in the U.S.? / "Tornado Alley"
  3. seasonally - late afternoon in May
  4. annual average by state
  5. Trends:

ATMOSPHERE CHAPTERS -----> Atmosphere Temp/Energy Pressure/Wind Moisture Storms
Next section -----------------------> Climates