METEO 003Section 3

Tips for Problem Sets:

• Get started early, use the Wednesday class to work on the lab assignment and ask questions!

• The mini-lecture on Wednesdays is based on that week’s assignment. Make sure

you come to class.

• Use the office hours to ask for help! The chapters assigned in the book are also a good reference so make sure to read what was assigned.

• Work on the assignment with other people in the class. Just make sure that

what you turn in is your own work!

• Make sure to attempt all the problems! I cannot give partial credit for questions left blank.

Matthew Brothers email: mdb5420@psu.eduOffice hours: Thursday 3:45pm – 4:45pm or by appointmentLocation: 606B Walker

Assignment 1: Due Sept 5• Chapter 1

Problem 1a and b – consult google if you are not sureProblem 4 – pages 8 and 10 in the text are helpful

How to Isopleth

• Isopleth – line of equal value • Uses of isoplething:– See patterns in data– Estimate values where no data is observed

How to Isopleth

• Isopleth – line of equal value • Uses of isoplething:– See patterns in data– Estimate values where no data is observed

• Common isopleths in meteorology:– Isobar: line of equal pressure– Isotherm: line of equal temperature– Isodrosotherm: line of equal dew point

How to Isopleth

1. Pick a value to isopleth first2. Find a location on the map where this value is observed3. Draw a line so locations on one side of your line have

greater value and locations on the other side of the line have a lesser value

4. Stop drawing once you reach an edge of the data or the line closes on itself (circle)

5. Label the isopleth

*Analysis should be neat & smooth, not jagged & messy*Isopleth only the area on the map where data is available

Example

Assignment 1: Due Sept 5• Chapter 1

Problem 1a and b – consult google is you are not sureProblem 4 – pages 8 and 10 in the text are helpfulProblem 7a,b,c – tips1/ Find the multiple of 10, example 30⁰F2/ Look at the numbers around it, and decide which way to proceed3/You want to draw your 30⁰line so that it is closer to 28⁰ than to 34⁰

Gradients

• Gradient of B = Change in Value of B Distance• Isopleths close together = large gradient

• In general, large gradients in weather variables point toward interesting meteorological activity

Assignment 1: Due Sept 5• Chapter 1

Problem 10a, c, d, e Ex: the green line starts at 1000 ft and goes to 4000 ft, over 30 km

So the gradient for the green trail is 100 ft/km

Wind Direction

• EAST WIND = Winds are coming from the EAST and moving WEST

• Easterly Wind = From the East• Eastward Wind = From the West

Assignment 1: Due Sept 5• Chapter 2 – Don’t forget to Convert to Kelvin

Problem 1a, b, c and 6 use Stefan-Boltzmann equation E = σT4

Ex: If sun’s temp is 5538⁰C and your skin is 32⁰C Sun: E = σ *(5811.15 K)4

Person: E = σ*(305.15 K)4

= 131521

So the ratio of the energy emitted per unit area by the sun to the energy emitted per unit area by a person is 131521 to 1

Assignment 1: Due Sept 5• Chapter 2

Problem 2 – Wein’s Law

Ex: If Mars has a surface Temperature of -60⁰C, then the wavelength for maximum emission on Mars is:

= = and λ = 13.59 μm

Assignment 1: Due Sept 5• Chapter 1 - 1a,b, 4, 7a,b,c, 10a,c,d,e• Chapter 2 – 1a,b,c, 2, 6

Useful equations From pg 10 ⁰F = (9/5)⁰C + 32; ⁰C = 5/9(⁰F - 32); ⁰C = K - 273.15

From pg 57, the Stefan-Boltzmann equation E = σT4

From pg 75, Wein’s Law λ =

• Units give numbers meaning, so don’t forget them• Please don’t forget to convert your temperatures to Kelvin