Figure 2. - Plotted Rawinsonde observations of temperature and dewpoint on a Stu
ID: 3280963 • Letter: F
Question
Figure 2. - Plotted Rawinsonde observations of temperature and dewpoint on
a Stuve diagram which references pressure, temperature and altitude from Minneapolis, MN (MPX) at 12Z 01 OCT 2017.
11. On the Stuve diagram, the bold irregular curve to the right is the temperature profile while the bold curve to the left is the dewpoint profile. Where the curves are superimposed (e.g., 620 mb), the temperatures and dewpoints are equal. The separation of the temperature and dewpoint values near the surface (e.g., 950-800 mb) indicates that near-surface air ________ saturated.
[ ] was
[ ] was not
12.Air forced to rise above Minneapolis would ________.
[ ] expand and cool
[ ] be compressed and warm
13.The rising air above Minneapolis cooled, and between 700-540 mb, its temperature and dewpoint ________ become equal or nearly equal.
[ ] did
[ ] did not
14.The air above Minneapolis at about 620 mb ________ saturated.
[ ] was
[ ] was not
15.The plotted temperatures were equal to or nearly equal to the dewpoints from 700-540 mb. These equal or nearly equal temperature-dewpoint conditions ________ strongly indicate there was general cloudiness over the Minneapolis area.
[ ] did
[ ] did not
The Minneapolis Stuve diagram shows the temperature and dewpoint curves also remain within a few degrees of each other from about 350 mb up to about 200 mb, suggesting that cloudiness in a higher layer of air might have also existed in the region. Meteorologists usually assume there are clouds in the area when observed temperatures and dewpoints are within a few degrees of each other at higher altitudes such as these. It is therefore likely that Minneapolis residents witnessed cloud cover from morning until evening (between the times of Figure 1 and Figure 2) as the low-pressure system to the west approached the state.
For comparison, examine Figure 3. Figure 3 is a sounding from the International Airport at Dulles (IAD), representing the Washington, DC area at the same time as the Minneapolis sounding in Figure 2. This station (IAD) is located to the south of a large anti-cyclone centered over the New York/Pennsylvania border dominating much of the east coast on this date (see Figure 1). Recall the relative vertical motion in a high-pressure system. Downward, sinking motion dominates. As such, the air is usually unsaturated, especially closest to the center of the high-pressure system.
16.The air throughout the vertical profile in Washington, DC (IAD) from about 1000-200 mb ________ saturated.
[ ] was
[ ] was not
17.The plotted temperatures were quite far apart from the dewpoints from 900-200 mb. These temperature-dewpoint conditions indicate there ________ a significant layer of clouds around the Washington, DC area. [Hint: Refer to Figure 1 station model plot for Washington, DC]
[ ] was
[ ] was not
Explanation / Answer
11. was not saturated as both temperature and dewpoint are different there.
12. expand and cool to reach saturation.
13. did become equal as could be easily inferred from the figure given.
14. was saturated as temperature and dewpoint are equal here.
15. did. As saturation would take place here.
16. was not saturated as there is a huge difference between temperature and dew point here.
17. was not
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