Geog 215 Fall 2021: 3rd Exam
This is a Take Home/Open Book Exam
This exam consists of 10 short answer questions (7 points each) and 2 essay questions (15 points each). Email you response to the instructor at [email protected] with copy to your GTA by Friday, November 28, 2021 at midnight. Note that this is a hard deadline and no extensions will be given. Include your full name and Student ID on your response.
Short Answer questions – Answer all questions (your typed response should be about half a page for each question)
Q1. What features of Satellites and Doppler Radar make them effective tools for severe weather forecasting?
Q2. What geographic and meteorological features make the Central United States the most favorable location for Tornado formation in North America?
Q3. Describe the characteristics of the successive stages of air mass thunderstorm formation and dissipation.
Q4. Describe the main features of the Hadley Cell
Q5. The recent strong hurricanes that have made landfall in the US has generated concern about potential “global warming” effects. Explain what you know about how hurricanes develop and the conditions necessary for hurricane formation. Do you suspect any global warming connection?
Q6. You have been invited to talk to a group of High School Freshmen about winter weather in Kansas City with special emphasis on why it is so difficult to accurately predict day-to-day changes in Kansas City winter weather patterns. What will you tell them?
Q7. Explain how changes in the Walker Circulation lead to El-Nino events.
Q8. Describe the major categories of lightning and explain the sequence by which electrical imbalances lead to lightning strokes.
Q9. What is a mesoscale convective complex? Describe their impact on weather in the US.
Q10. How does a cold front differ from a warm front?
Essay Questions – Answer both questions (your response should be about a page or more)
Q1. Describe the evolution and subsequent impact of hurricanes that reach the United States. Why, in your view, are hurricanes vital to the climate system and why do major hurricanes cause so much damage and human suffering?
Q2. Explain what an air mass is and describe the major air masses that affect the United States of America in the summer and in the winter seasons.