Calculating realtive humidity and orographic precipitation

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anaplJ

Science

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The requirements are listed in the uploaded file but just needed help on these questions, particularly the first few with mapping the points on the hadley cell and calculating the relative humidity afterwards.

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I. Relative Humidity Let’s assume that a volume of air (A) at the base of the Hadley Cell at the equator (EQ) starts out both very warm (say, 28° C) and nearly saturated (containing 21 g water per kg air). As the air rises above the equator it cools to 1° C at the top of the cell (location B). Location C represents the base of the cell at sea level after the air descends at ~30 degrees N or S latitude. B A C 1. On the graph, plot and label points corresponding to points A, B, and C using the information provided above and what you have learned from module 2. 2. On the graph, using a dashed line and small arrows ( ), sketch the path (temperature & water content of air) of the volume of air as it travels through the Hadley Cell from points A to B to C. 3. Showing your work below, calculate the relative humidity of the volume of air at points A, B, and C. II. The Western U.S. and California Example: Does orographic precipitation really happen? Here we will explore how the orographic effect influences (or not) precipitation patterns in the western US. 1. Using the data table (last page of your lab), plot a topographic profile across California: Topographic Profile 4000 WEST EAST 3500 3000 El e v at io n ( m ) 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 123 122.5 122 121.5 121 120.5 120 119.5 Longitude 2. Now, plot the average annual precipitation along the same longitudinal profile below: Precipitation Aver age prec ipitat ion (inc hes/ year ) 70 WEST EAST 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 123 122.5 122 121.5 121 Longitude 120.5 120 119.5 3. Discuss the patterns of precipitation from West to East. Are the data consistent with your expectations based on the orographic effect? Why are some locations at very high elevation relatively dry (e.g., Carson City or Topaz Lake), whereas some locations at relatively low elevation are moderately wet (e.g. Sebastopol)? 4. On the map of the Western US below: A) Sketch the major mountain chains (Sierra Nevada, Rockies, Coast Ranges, etc…). B) Indicate areas that you expect to have low, moderate, and high annual precipitation. Think about both the orographic effect and global atmospheric circulation patterns. Data Table for Part II Location Auburn Big Canyon Blue Canyon Calaveras Calistoga Carson City (NV) Davis Echo Summit Grizzly Flats Napa Placerville Point Reyes Sacramento Sebastopol Sonoma Topaz Lake Truckee Volcanoville Longitude 121.06 120.90 120.20 120.31 122.58 119.76 121.76 120.03 120.51 122.30 120.73 123.80 121.50 122.81 122.46 119.55 120.15 120.78 elevation (m) 387 259 1609 1430 112 1417 18 2240 1177 18 839 9 5 20 29 1537 1834 927 precipitation (in/yr) 38.5 32.8 67.7 54.5 37.4 11.2 17.3 50.8 48.9 24.1 39.9 25.5 17.4 31.6 29.5 8.4 32.1 45.9
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Anonymous
Excellent resource! Really helped me get the gist of things.

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