METR 104
Spring 2011
Script for Lab #2, Part VI and Lab #3
(Wednesday, March 16)
1. Handouts:
 Lab #2, Part VI
 Figure for the lab (STELLA model plot)
 Lab #3
 Figures (maps, meteograms, color fill map)
2. Go over two new forecasting questions, on the whether a front will
affect temperature at 12Z and at 18Z
 Start with “Some Forecasting Tactics” document from class Web
site
 State scoring criterion
 Access the map of the “area of influence” around KOAK, show
students how to visualize the boundaries in terms of geographical
features of the coast and other parts of the state
 Access NWS Hydrometeorological Prediction Center surface
forecast map and discuss how to use the info there, producing
actual forecast
 Symbol conventions for each of four types of front
 Precipitation areas (anticipating future forecasting
question)
 Present weather symbols for different types of
precipitation
3. Lab #2, Part VI (An Even More Complex Model of the Daily Temperature
Cycle)
 STELLA model (version III) should be on desktops already, unless
a laptop has been rebooted recently
 Review results of previous two STELLA model labs:
 Model is based on heat budget equation;
calculates/predicts temperature for given ways to gain
and lose heat
 New model
1. Add new ways to gain and lose heat that we’ve
learned about
a. Absorption of LWIR emitted downward by GH
gases and (if present) clouds
b. Conduction of heat to or from the atmosphere
METR 104
Spring 2011
Script for Lab #2, Part VI and Lab #3
(Wednesday, March 16)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
c. Evaporation from the surface (mainly from
ocean, less from land)
Describe interface, point out new features
Reproduce Lab #2, Part IV result (absorption of solar
radiation only)
a. Summarize successes and shortcomings of
simulation
Reproduce Lab #2, Part V result (absorption of solar
radiation plus emission of LWIR)—students all have
handout with the plot
a. Summarize successes and shortcomings of
simulation
Outline new experiments to run, turn students loose
Put Hanford meteograms on the screen for reference
(use links from Lab #2, Part V)
4. Lab #3
 Is the STELLA model complete now, or are there other processes
that affect temperature measured just above the earth’s surface?
Let’s find out!
 Briefly describe each figure (no analysis, though), make sure
students know where KOKC is and can interpret wind speed and
direction.
 Describe color-fill temperature map (put on screen using link in
Lab #2, Part VI)
 Mapping of colors to 5 deg F temperature ranges
 Can see colder and warmer areas immediately (e.g,
“tongue” of warm air coming from south—relate to wind
directions; similarly for cold air)
 Width of color bands related to how rapidly temperature
varies from place to place
 Firm up this idea: temperature gradient (difference in
temperature across a given distance)
1. Example: use eraser as standard of distance, figure
out difference in temperature at various places
 Can spot areas of large temperature gradient easily on
color-fill map.
METR 104
Spring 2011
Script for Lab #2, Part VI and Lab #3
(Wednesday, March 16)
 Note that fronts are defined as zones across which
temperature varies rapidly (separating regions of relative
warm and cold temperatures)
 Fronts therefore are zones of large temperature gradient
 See if anyone can identify possible locations of fronts on
the map
 Turn students loose! (Need to guide them individually in some
cases.)