North America Case Study

524 Words3 Pages

1. Explain how observed teleconnection patterns can help in the preparation of a seasonal weather forecast. Teleconnections are interactions, for example a warmer or cooler tropical Pacific will likely influence rainfall amounts in California, and these interactions between widely spread regions are identified between statistical correlations (Ahrens 2015, p.270). Forecasters are aided by these interactions to produce statistical correlations between widely separated regions of North America. 2. If the temperature is dropping and the dew point is holding steady, what is your forecast for the relative humidity? Explain your answer. The relative humidity would increase if the temperature dropped and the dew point remained steady. Cooled air is unable to retain much moisture and saturates the air, therefore it increases the relative humidity. If the temperature decreases, the relative humidity will increase as a result in this situation. 3. In what ways are severe thunderstorms different from ordinary cell thunderstorms? What are some of the meteorological or atmospheric conditions that favor the development of …show more content…

Where do thunderstorms form most frequently in the US? Why is this the case? Is this also where most tornadoes occur? Explain. Florida experiences more thunderstorms than anywhere else in the US. This is due to the state being surrounded by water on three sides and this water provides the moisture necessary to feed thunderstorm development. The clashing east and west sea breezes and the layer of moist, warm air in Florida provide the required final ingredients. Tornados however, tend to develop in the Central Plains region. This is because, in the spring, there is warm, humid surface air with an overlay of cooler, drier air that produces an unstable atmosphere (Ahrens 2015, p.313). Florida lacks the layer of cooler, drier air and therefore while having the most thunderstorms, the state does not have the most tornados spawn from those