Satellites, Weather and Climate
Summer Institute - 2015
Linking SWAC with other sciences
Slope of Tropopause between equatorial and polar region – why ?
Involves the lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water),
biosphere (living things), and atmosphere (air) – hence
all the sciences!
http://www-das.uwyo.edu/~geerts/cwx/notes/chap01/tropo.html
Tropopause temperature and Height
--Polar versus Equatorial regions real time-Northern Hudson Bay - Canada
Panama Canal Zone – Central America
http://weather.uwyo.edu/upperair/sounding.html
Tropopause slope and warming Arctic (melting ice caps)
-- Evidence linking Arctic amplification to
extreme weather in mid-latitudes (Mar 2012)
Jennifer A. Francis and Stephen J. Vavrus
(GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 39, L06801,
doi:10.1029/2012GL051000, 2012)
Francis noted a weakening of the zonal
component (west-east) of Jet since mid 1990’s
as well as an increase in the upper level ridge
(Diagram to right) over western US and mid
Atlantic Basin)
Recall Slope of tropopause and impact on
character of Jetstream: less slope more
meandering of jet and slower moving surface
weather features…cold air moves further south
Francis_Vavrus_2012GL051000_pub.pdf
Global Connections of Weather and Climate
Jet Stream as of Jun 27 2015
El Nino Jet Stream Pattern
Consider how global warming impacts the water cycle which
impacts Ocean Salinity as a feedback Mechanism
Change in Global Ocean Salinity 2004-13
• If global warming via the water cycle makes rainy
areas even wetter (and dry areas drier), this could
increase changes in salinity.
Why is this important…
http://www.climate.gov/news-features/featured-images/shiftingocean-surface-saltiness-2004-2013
• It could result in certain ocean areas becoming
‘fresher’ while others become ‘saltier’.
• For example, parts of the Southern Ocean and the
northern North Atlantic got fresher between 20042013.
• Meanwhile the Mediterranean Sea and parts of
the subtropics of the Pacific and Atlantic—already
among the saltiest — became saltier.
• Students could measure density differences
between fresh and salt water … and consider
what happens to movement of ocean water due
to these density differences.
What Drives the Deep Ocean Conveyor Belt
Deep ocean current is a thermohaline current –
driven by density differences due to temperature
and salinity (surface currents are wind driven)
Example… normally in polar region, sea ice forms
leaving salt behind which makes the water saltier
and more dense. This water sinks and is replaced
by fresher water…but the cycle continues setting
up a current.
What happens to the deep thermohaline current
if we no longer have sea ice in the polar regions ?
Is there an impact on global climate ?
http://www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=86016
NASA site includes :
 Images (such as Image of the Day)
 Environmental News Items
 Global Maps (animated) such as SST,
SSTA, Drought, Precipitation
 Fact Sheets (El Nino, Sea Ice, Carbon and
Water Cycles, etc
 Teacher/Educator resource section to
guide in the development of: scientific
inquiry leading to understanding diversity
and adaptations of various populations
and ecosystems and their
interdependence.
 Students develop understanding of
properties of and structure of the Earth
system and the Earth in the solar system.
At the NASA site…compare Global Precipitation to SST and SSTA
http://www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov/GlobalMaps/view.php?d1
=TRMM_3B43M&d2=AMSRE_SSTAn_M
http://ggweather.com/enso/oni.htm
El Niño
Weak
1952-53
1953-54
1958-59
1969-70
1976-77
1977-78
2004-05
2006-07
2014-15
La Niña
Very
Weak
Strong
1951-52 1957-58 1982-83 1950-51
1963-64 1965-66 1997-98 1954-55
1968-69 1972-73
1956-57
1986-87 1987-88
1964-65
1991-92
1971-72
1994-95
1974-75
2002-03
1983-84
2009-10
1984-85
1995-96
2000-01
2005-06
2008-09
2011-12
Mod
Strong
Mod
Strong
1955-56
1970-71
1998-99
2007-08
1973-74
1975-76
1988-89
1999-00
2010-11
Good resources to study Greenhouse gases
• http://www.ciese.org/materials/k12/science/
environmental-science/
• http://www.airnow.gov/
• http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemiss
ions/
• http://www.enviroflash.info/?_ga=1.2446645
82.2020356964.1433967738
• What chemicals are normally in the
atmosphere vs those added by human
activities?
• How do these chemicals react with each
other?
• Are all greenhouse gases equally important?
• How do Global emissions of CO2 compare
with USA emissions?
• Investigate which conditions are related to
poor air quality: wind, temperature, moisture
or visibility
• Are certain patterns associated with poor air
quality
• Do your measurements correlate with the
EPA Air Quality Index (AQI)?
Compare the Carbon and Water Cycles and the rolls
they play in the life of the planet
https://www.tes.co.uk/teachingresource/the-carbon-cycle-gcse-11064260
http://science.nasa.gov/earthscience/oceanography/ocean-earthsystem/ocean-water-cycle/
Chemistry, Math and Meteorology – Acid Rain
National Park Service
http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/ed
u/Lessons/docs/educationResourc
es.pdf
• Measure rainfall: inches vs mm
• Compare ph of rainfall samples
from various storms
• To explain differing ph values,
check variables such as: wind
trajectory, convective vs
stratiform precipitation, season,
time of day, etc
• Chart or graph the ph vs rainfall
amounts or wind trajectory
• Type of Industry located
upstream from you area?
Actual data can help students relate mathematical graphs to clouds and
thunderstorms formation
http://weather.uwyo.edu/upperair/so
unding.html
•
74455 DVN Davenport Observations at 12Z 17 Jun 2015-
•
PRES HGHT TEMP DWPT RELH MIXR DRCT SKNT THTA THTE THTV
•
hPa
m
C
C
%
g/kg deg
knot
K
K
K
•
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
•
1000.0 143
•
990.0 229
13.4
12.6
95
9.34 100
9
287.4 313.6 289.0
•
985.0 272
12.4
11.3
93
8.60 104
10
286.8 310.9 288.3
•
965.0 444
11.4
9.7
89
7.88 123
12
287.5 309.7 288.8
•
946.2 610
14.5
13.4
93
10.34 140
14 292.2 321.8 294.1
•
941.0 657
15.4
14.5
94
11.15 153
13
293.6 325.6 295.6
•
925.0 803
16.4
15.7
96
12.27 195
9
296.1 331.6 298.2
•
920.0 849
17.0
16.3
96
12.83 212
10
297.1 334.5 299.4
•
913.1 914
17.0
16.3
96
12.93 235
11
297.8 335.5 300.1
•
898.0 1057
17.0
16.3
96
13.15 235
8
299.2 337.8 301.6
•
881.1 1219
16.2
15.5
96
12.76 235
4
300.1 337.6 302.4
•
850.0 1525
14.8
14.1
96
12.04 260
7
301.6 337.4 303.8
• Note the relationship between
Pressure and Height ? What
happens as one goes up in the
atmosphere? Graph pressure vs
height.
• Note relationships between
Temperature and height compared
with a Standard or Average
Atmosphere
Station plotting model and surface weather map analysis
Explanation of plotted
pressure report - mb
-- This was discussed in Mark’s presentation on
decoding weather maps
-- The pressure (upper right number) is in a
shortened form of millibars.
-- Either the initial ‘10’ or ‘9’ is omitted
-- In general if the plotted number starts with a
zero, then a 10 as been omitted. In this case, the
actual pressure is 1005.6 mb
-- Generally, if the plotted first number is a 9 or an
8….then you need to add a 9 as the first digit: thus
856 plotted would actually be 985.6 mb.
-- Also, in this case the wind direction is FROM the
northwest. Thus a cold front may have passed this
station
 When analyzing…good place to start is with
previous chart. Then mentally idealize the
general air flow trajectory and where you
think the front is.
 Then draw in isobars (remembering either a
10 or a 9).
 Note extension of Bermuda High across
southern US with Heat and Humidity.
 Narrow ribbon of 67-74 deg dewpoints
ahead of Cold Front from western Ohio west
to Nebraska.
 Bubble High over Chicago due to rain cooled
air
Analysis Solution
-- When analyzing…good to use previous
chart as starting point. Locate general
trajectory of air and possible fronts mentally
then draw isobars.
-- Extension of Bermuda High across
southern US with temps around 100 and dew
points 65-70…very unstable
-- Cold front provides the trigger of primary
lifting mechanism
Note narrow band of 67-74 deg dew points
fust ahead of derecho providing the fuel
Satellite and Radar imagery around 1040 PM Jun 29
(0240 UTC Jun 30)
Metric System
Weather Observations and Forecasts
Canadian Weather Observation
United States Weather Observation
• Observation: Toronto Pearson Int'l Airport
• Greater Buffalo International Airport (KBUF)
• Date/Time : 1:00 PM EDT Saturday 27 June 2015
• Last update
• Weather: Light Rain
• Weather: Rain Fog/Mist
• Visibility: 10 km
• Visibility: 5.00 mi
• Temperature: 14.8°C
Humidity: 89%
Dewpoint: 13.0°C
27 Jun 12:54 pm EDT
• Temperature: 63°F/17°C
Humidity: 90%
Dewpoint: 60°F (16°C)
• Wind: ENE 20 km/h
• Wind Speed: E 12 mph
• Pressure: 101.5 kPa falling
• Barometer: 29.92 in (1013.2 mb)
Canadian Forecasts and Metric System
Millimeter vs inches … km/h wind
• Issued: 11:00 AM EDT Saturday 27 June 2015
• Date
•
Detailed Forecast
• Today Cloudy. Rain beginning near noon.
Amount 10 to 15 mm. Wind northeast 20
km/h gusting to 40 becoming east 40 gusting
to 60 early this afternoon. High 18. UV index
3 or moderate.
• Tonight
Rain. Amount 10 to 20 mm.
Wind east 30 km/h gusting to 50. Low 13.
• Sun, 28 Jun
Rain. Amount 5 to 10 mm.
Wind northeast 20 km/h. High 16.
Metres vs feet
Marine Forecast Western Lake Ontario
Issued 10:30 AM
EDT SAT 27 June 2015
Synopsis…At 10:30 a.m. EDT today low 1004 mb located over
northwestern Ohio. By 10:30 a.m. EDT Sunday low 1000 mb located
over western New York State.
Winds
Today Tonight and Sunday Gale warning in effect. Wind east 20 knots
increasing to northeast 30 this afternoon and to northeast 35 early this
evening. Wind diminishing to northeast 30 near midnight and to
northeast 20 Sunday morning. Wind diminishing to north 10 Sunday
afternoon.
Waves
Today Tonight and Sunday Waves one metre building to one and one
half metres this afternoon and to 2 to 3 early this evening. Waves
subsiding to one and one half metres near noon Sunday and to one
half metre or less Sunday evening.
Temperature is a measure of how fast an
objects particles are moving.
Comparison of 0C to 0F
°C
°F
100 212
Description
Water boils
40
104
Hot Bath
37
98.
6
Body
temperature
30
86
Beach weather
21
70
Room
temperature
10
50
Cool Day
0
32
Freezing point
of water
−18
0
Very Cold Day
Extremely Cold
Day
−40 −40
(and the same
number!)
Celsius to Fahrenheit: (°C × 9/5) + 32 = °F
Fahrenheit to Celsius: (°F − 32) x 5/9 = °C
Use 1.8 instead of 9/5 C x 2 + 30 = ~F
Have a great summer