Meteorology tornadoes and dew points

The questions in Section 1 are based off of the following three figures below.

Figure 1: Surface Weather Conditions for the Continental United States at 2200 UTC (3pm PDT) on March 22nd, 2019

Figure 2: Upper Air (300mb) level map for the same time (2200 UTC 3/22/19) as Figure 1

Figure 3: Doppler Radar Surface Reflectivity (Left) and Velocity (Right) from the Amarillo, Texas weather station taken at 2315 UTC (4:15pm PDT) on 3/22/19.

 

From Figure 1, there is ____________________________ near Amarillo, Texas.

	All of these are True
	Thunderstorms (as seen as orange/red spots embedded in a blob of green radar returns).

	A Low Pressure System
	A Warm Front

 

The dew point temperatures of locations south of Amarillo are in the 50's and 60's, which indicate that there ________ sufficient moisture for thunderstorm development.

	Isn't
	Is

 

Also, from Figure 1, surface weather features (such as the presence of a warm front and low pressure system) indicate that:

	There is a triggering mechanism present to lift moisture into the atmosphere.
	There is no triggering mechanism to lift moisture into the atmosphere.

 

Looking at Figure 2, which shows upper-level conditions over the United States, there is a _________________ present to the West of Amarillo.

	Ridge
	Trough

Zonal Flow

 

Furthermore, to the west of Amarillo (specifically over Colorado and New Mexico), there is an area where plotted station models are featuring a Pennant, plus some combination of short or long feathers, indicating that there is ________________ present.

	Not enough evidence
	An area of low wind speeds of completely Calm Winds

A Jet Streak/Area of Stronger Winds

 

Putting all of this together, there is ________________________________ present to allow for thunderstorms.

	Supportive Upper-Level Conditions
	All of These

	None of These
	Sufficient Moisture

A Triggering Mechanism

 

Finally, looking at Figure 3, which shows both base reflectivity/velocity, there _______ sufficient evidence that thunderstorms are occurring near/to the west of Amarillo, Texas. Additionally, the base velocity image shows some "speckles" of red embedded in the large body of green due East of Dalhart, indicating that __________________ are possibly present.

	Is; Tornadoes
	Is Not; Tornadoes

	Is Not; Clear Skies and Calm Weather
	Is; Clear Skies and Calm Weather

 

The questions in Section 2 are based on figures 4, 5 and 6 below, which are maps indicating the position, intensity, and forecast for Tropical Cyclone Matthew, which was one of the quickest intensifying and most damaging hurricanes to hit the Florida Panhandle in history.

Figure 4: Matthew at 10pm CDT on Sunday, 10/7/2018

.

Figure 5: Matthew at 7pm CDT on Monday 10/8/2018

Figure 6: Matthew at 7pm CDT on Tuesday, 10/9/2018. 

 

At 10pm CDT on Sunday, October 7th (Figure 4), Michael was a:

	Tropical Storm
	Hurricane

	Major Hurricane
	Tropical Depression

 

While Hurricane Michael was ____________________ to eventually make landfall along the Florida Panhandle, there _____________________ Tropical Storm/Hurricane warnings issued for Florida at 10pm CDT on 10/7/2018 (Figure 4)

	Not Forecast; Were
	Forecast; Were Not

	Forecast; Were
	Not Forecast; Were Not

 

The reason why your answer to the question above is true is because

	The storm was forecast to weaken before reaching Florida.
	None of these are true.

	The storm is forecast to move away from Florida, leaving it unaffected.
	It is still too early to issue warnings (which are issued between 24-48 hours ahead of tropical storm/hurricane conditions arriving).

 

Moving ahead to 7pm CDT on 10/8/18 (Figure 5, which is 21 hours later from Figure 4), Michael has:

	Remained a Tropical Storm
	Strengthed into a Major Hurricane

	Strengthed into a Hurricane
	Weakened to a Tropical Depression

 

At this time (Figure 5), watches and warnings _____________ been issued for Florida.

	Still Have Not
	Have

 

At 7pm CDT on 10/8/18 (Figure 5), Michael was forecast to strike the Florida Panhandle as:

	A Major Hurricane
	A Tropical Depression

	A Hurricane
	A Tropical Storm

 

Finally, 24 hours later (7pm CDT Tuesday, 10/9/2018), Michael had ____________________________.

	Actually had Weakened into a Tropical Depression
	Actually Weakened into a Tropical Storm

	Indeed Strengthed into a Major Hurricane
	Had Dissipated

 

Thank you for being a great class. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you in the future. Best Wishes and enjoy your Spring Break!