ATOC (ATOC EXAM 3 CU BOULDER)
WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS
What air masses are typically present prior to cyclone formation? - ANSWER-Warm dry
air in high plateaus of the western US, warm moist air in the SE, cold and dry air in
Canada, cool and moist air near the great lakes and NE US
Intensification - ANSWER-1-2 days
Peak Intensity - ANSWER-1-2 days
Dissipation - ANSWER-3-7+ days
Upslope Flow - ANSWER-Air is forced to rise as it flows from lower elevations to higher
elevations
What happens to air as it is forced to rise? - ANSWER-Cools (always) and condenses if
moist enough
What types of weather are associated with upslope flow? - ANSWER-Cold, rainy, or
snowy
What is unique about the NW quadrant of a cyclone? - ANSWER-Strongest pressure
gradient (Canadian high is usually present to NW), Location of the "trowel" (warm most
air that is forced to lift...lots of rain)
When does a cyclone intensify? - ANSWER-When the pressure surface decreases
because this will increase the pressure gradients surrounding the storm
What role does the high pressure center play in the formation of blizzard conditions? -
ANSWER-It tightens the pressure gradients between the high and low, thus increasing
wind speeds notably along to the NW of the low
What are Alberta Clippers? - ANSWER-Extratropical cyclones that form east of the
Canadian Rockies
Where do Colorado Cyclones form? - ANSWER-East of Colorado Rockies
What factors wil cause the surface pressure to decrease? - ANSWER-If the upper level
divergence intensifies (via curvature or jet streak) more so than the boundary layer
convergence (which is due to friction).
WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS
What air masses are typically present prior to cyclone formation? - ANSWER-Warm dry
air in high plateaus of the western US, warm moist air in the SE, cold and dry air in
Canada, cool and moist air near the great lakes and NE US
Intensification - ANSWER-1-2 days
Peak Intensity - ANSWER-1-2 days
Dissipation - ANSWER-3-7+ days
Upslope Flow - ANSWER-Air is forced to rise as it flows from lower elevations to higher
elevations
What happens to air as it is forced to rise? - ANSWER-Cools (always) and condenses if
moist enough
What types of weather are associated with upslope flow? - ANSWER-Cold, rainy, or
snowy
What is unique about the NW quadrant of a cyclone? - ANSWER-Strongest pressure
gradient (Canadian high is usually present to NW), Location of the "trowel" (warm most
air that is forced to lift...lots of rain)
When does a cyclone intensify? - ANSWER-When the pressure surface decreases
because this will increase the pressure gradients surrounding the storm
What role does the high pressure center play in the formation of blizzard conditions? -
ANSWER-It tightens the pressure gradients between the high and low, thus increasing
wind speeds notably along to the NW of the low
What are Alberta Clippers? - ANSWER-Extratropical cyclones that form east of the
Canadian Rockies
Where do Colorado Cyclones form? - ANSWER-East of Colorado Rockies
What factors wil cause the surface pressure to decrease? - ANSWER-If the upper level
divergence intensifies (via curvature or jet streak) more so than the boundary layer
convergence (which is due to friction).
