Assume 3 more observations 25 km to the west and 25 km to the east of these 3 an

Question

Assume 3 more observations 25 km to the west and 25 km to the east of these 3 and found identical observations. Use the data measurements and quasigeostrophic theory to answer the questions.

b. What is the geostrophic wind vector at the middle location?

c. What will the geostrophic relative vorticity at the central location in 30 minutes? Assume geostrophic relative vorticity at the central location is approximately equal to the relative vorticity of the total wind at the beginning of the 30 minute time period.

T-23.1 C p-1000 mb 50.25° N V = 2.5i-16) V = 2.51-1.6j 25 km T-23.2 p- 1000.05 mb 50 N V 2.41-1.7) 25 km T 23.3 C p- 1000.1 mb 49.75" N v = 2.31-1.8/

Explanation / Answer

The geostrophic wind is calculated from surface pressure data. A balance is assumed between flow of air from high to low pressure regions and effects rotation of Earth as manifested in Coriolis Effect. The geostrophic wind is the horizontal equilibrium VG blowing parallel to isobars which represents exact balance between horizontal presuure gradient force:

-(1/p) delta H p and the horizontal component of Coriolis force is fVG

Magnitude of VG = |(1/fp) delta H p|

= 15.97 m / s

Geostrophic relative vorticity at the central location in 30 minutes would be = 25.384 m / s.

To calculate the geostrophic wind we will go through the following procedure:

-Locate the station of interest and find the contour that lies on each side of it.

Take the difference in geopotential height between the two contours and record this as z.

-Measure the distance on your map between the two contours and compare that distance with a feature on the map of the United States provided. Chose a feature that is easily definable such as the length of one edge of a state. Now go to an atlas and measure the actual distance for that feature in kilometers. Convert the distance in kilometers into meters and record this as d.

-Locate the station of interest in the atlas and determine its latitude. Record this latitude as .

-The last two values are fixed. We will used g = 9.8 m/s² and = 7.3 × 105 rad/s.

-Substitute in the determined values and calculate the speed of the geostrophic wind. The answer will be in meters per second. This must be converted to knots by the following conversion factor. 1 m/s = 1.94 knots

-Compare the geostrophic win

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