Transcript The Eye of the Storm

The Eye of the Storm
Part 1: Weather Lab
Hunting for a Hurricane…
http://www.nasa.gov/mov/264613main_112_Hurricane_Hunters.mov
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NASA
SCI Files
Altimeter
…. Standby, uploading data
Barometer
Thermometer
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Hygrometer
Click Here
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Reading Analog Gauges
 Hygrometer
Barometer
 Thermometer
Anemometer
What is a Hygrometer?
A hygrometer is an instrument used for measuring the moisture in the
air.
How is a Hygrometer Used in
Predicting Storm
Intensification?
Latent heat energy is the heat and energy stored in water vapor. Water vapor is the
gaseous form of water. To get liquid water into a gaseous form, you have to heat
it or add energy to it. Water evaporates as the sun heats up the water in lakes,
rivers, and oceans. Water vapor stores the heat energy until it returns to a liquid
form and releases the stored heat. As the sun heats the surface areas around us,
the land areas heat up the surrounding air. Warmer air is lighter and rises. As the
air rises, it cools. The cooling air reaches a point where the water vapor turns back
into a liquid. The air has reached its saturation point. Saturation point can occur
thousands of feet in the air or near the surface (fog). When water vapor returns to
a liquid state, it gives up the heat energy. Storms will develop with taller clouds
and stronger winds as more heat energy is added.
So the more water vapor that is converted to liquid in the form of clouds
and rain, the more likely the developing storm has to work will intensify.
How is a Hygrometer
Used in Predicting Storm
Intensification?
Temperature determines how much moisture the air can carry. But there is a limit to how
much moisture air can hold. When the air is saturated it cannot hold any more water
vapor. You have 100% relative humidity. At this point water condenses and falls as
precipitation.
The colder the air, the less moisture it can carry. If you warm that air, you increase its
ability to hold water and its relative humidity will drop because it has the same amount of
water in it but it can now hold more. If there is a big increase in temperature then the
humidity will decrease.
The warmer the air, the more moisture it will hold. Tropical disturbances
have very humid air in them.
Reading Analog Gauges:
Hygrometer
Instructions:
1.
Look at the hygrometer to the right.
2.
The outer scale is divided into increments of
percentages of 10. The inner marking indicates air
conditions from very dry to humid.
3.
The small lines between the bold numbers are counted
in 2’s. The first small line is 2, the second is 4,the third
is 6, and the fourth is 8.
4.
Look at the needle. What is the reading?
5.
Write your answer on your Data Log.
Reading Analog Gauges:
Hygrometer
Answers:
1. Your answer should be: 49%. Why?
Because the needle is not 48 and not
on 50. So the reading is 49%.
2. Now look the picture of the Hygrometer
to the right. Is the air:
A. Very Dry
B. Normal
C. Humid
3. Write your answer on your Data Log.
Reading Analog Gauges:
Hygrometer
Answers:
Your answer should be: Normal.
Why? Because the needle over
the word “NORMAL.”
How does a Spring Thermometer
Measure Temperature?
Pictured is a spring analog thermometer, which measures temperature.
There is a coiled piece of metal sensitive to heat inside. One end of the
spring is attached to the pointer. As the air heats, the metal expands
and the pointer moves higher. As the air cools, the metal contracts and
the pointer moves lower.
How is a
Thermometer
Used in
Predicting
Storm
Intensification?
Hurricanes form over tropical waters, which are located between 8 and 20
degrees latitude. This area usually high humidity, light winds, and warm sea
surface temperatures typically 26.5 degrees Celsius (80 Fahrenheit) or greater.
These conditions usually occur in the summer and early fall months of the tropical
North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans, which we call our hurricane season in
The northern hemisphere; It runs from June 1st through November 30th.
Reading an Analog Thermometer
Instructions:
1.
Look at the picture of the thermometer
to the right.
2.
Notice there are two scales. The outer
scale degrees Fahrenheit and in the
inner scale is in Celsius.
3.
The outer scale is divided into 10’s, -10
degrees to 130 degrees. The small lines
between the numbers are counted by
2’s: the first small line is 2, the second
is 4, the third is 6 and the fourth is 8.
4.
Look the black needle on the
thermometer to the right. What is the
temperature in Fahrenheit?
5.
Write your answer on your Data Log.
Reading an Analog Thermometer
Instructions:
1.
Look at the picture of the thermometer
to the right.
2.
Look at the inner scale, which is in
Celsius degrees.
3.
The inner scale is divided into 10’s : 20 degrees to 50 degrees Celsius. The
small lines between the numbers are
counted by 1’s.
4.
Look the black needle. What is the
temperature in Celsius?
5.
Write your answer on your Data Log.
Reading an Analog Thermometer
Answers:
 Your Fahrenheit temperature is:
approximately 90º F.
 Why? The needle is closest to 90
on the outer scale.
 Your Celsius temperature is:
32.5º C.
 Why? The needle is resting
between 32 and 33 degrees so it
is read as 32.5º.
What is a Aneroid Barometer?
A barometer is an instrument for measuring
atmospheric pressure. Barometers are used in
determining height above sea level and in
forecasting the weather. The picture to the
right is of a aneroid barometer. Inside is a
piece of metal, which expands and contracts
with atmospheric pressure changes. The
changes in pressure move the needle on the
face of the device.
How is a Barometer
Used to Predict a
Storm’s Intensification?
A low-pressure system over warm, tropical waters of 80 degrees Fahrenheit
can possibly increased in strength. The storm can become a tropical
cyclone and may eventually become strong enough to become a
hurricane. For the hurricane is to continue to strengthen, there must be
high pressure in the upper atmosphere and weak winds aloft so that
the winds don't sheer off the top of the system causing the low
pressure system to weaken. If the pressure continues to fall, the
hurricane is strengthening. You will also see the eye of the hurricane
with a well defined shape and growing smaller as well.
 Falling barometric indicates a storm is forming and could intensify.
Reading an Analog Barometer
1.
Look at the picture of the
barometer to the right.
2.
There is an outer scale in millibars
and an inner scale in millimeters.
3.
Notice the outer millibar scale
ranges from 950 mb to 1050 mb.
4.
The inner millimeter scale ranges
from 71 to 79 mm of mercury.
Reading an Analog Barometer
Instructions:
1.
Look at the picture of the barometer to
the right.
2.
Look at the outer scale. Notice the outer
scale ranges from 950 mb to 1050 mb.
Between the bold numbers are 9 small
lines. They are counted by 1’s.
3.
Look at the long black needle. What
number is the arrow on?
4.
Write you answer on your Data Log.
Reading an Analog Barometer
Instructions:
1.
Look at the picture of the
barometer to the right.
2.
Look at the inner scale. Notice the
scale is from 71 to 79 mm.
Between the bold black numbers
are 9 small lines. These lines are
counted by 1’s, which are recorded
as a decimal. For example if the
black needle was on the first small
line after 71, the reading would be
71.1 mm.
3.
Look at the arrow of the long black
needle. What number is it on?
4.
Write you answer on your Data
Log.
Answers: Reading an Analog Barometer
Answers:
 Your reading for the outer
scale is: 1041 mb.
 Why? Because the arrow is
on the first small line after
the number 1040.
 Your answer for the inner
scale is: 78.1 mm.
 Why? Because the arrow is
on the first small line after 78.
What is an Anemometer?

An anemometer is a meteorological device used
to measure wind velocity. Anemometers vary in
form, but the simplest kind is the cup
anemometer pictured at the top right. The cup
anemometer consists of a vertical pole with
four horizontal arms attached to cups. The
cups catch the wind and the arms to rotate.
The number of rotations equals wind speed.

We will be using a hand held electronic
anemometer seen to the bottom left. To
simulate wind, a fan will be used. When the face
of the electronic meter is held into the wind, a
small fan turns the wind speed is recorded
digitally on a screen.
How is an Anemometer used to
Predict a Storm’s Intensification?
Increased wind speed within a storm system is
a positive indication that the storm is beginning
to intensify. The Coriolis effect, created by the
Earth’s rotation, causes the air to rotate around a
low pressure in a tropical system center in a cyclonic
direction.
When scientists study tropical disturbances, they
measure wind speed, wind direction, and wind chill.
 Increasing wind speed within a storm is an
indication the storm is intensifying.
How do you Read a Digital Anemometer?
Instructions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Turn on the meter.
Push the ºC/ºF key.
Lay the meter on the table.
Find the fan. Turn it on.
Hold the back of the wind meter in front of
the fan. Make sure the wind wheel on the
meter is near the fan and that you can see
the digital read out display on the meter.
Look at the digital readings on the wind
meter.
Write the wind speed and temperature on
your Data Log.
Turn off the fan and lay the meter on the
desk.
The Instrument Package Used by
Hurricane Hunters: Dropsondes
Scientists use electronic weather
Instruments called dropsondes to
study weather systems like
thunderstorms, tornadoes, tropical
storms, and hurricanes. When the
hurricane hunter plane flies out to
study a tropical disturbance,
scientists will drop dropsondes
Containing GPS, barometers,
hygrometers, anemometers, and
thermometers into storm bands,
eye walls, and the eye.
The Eye of the Storm
Crew Change
The Eye of the Storm
Weather Lab: Part 2
What Type of Date Do Hurricane
Hunters Measure During Their Mission?
http://classroomclips.org/video/1286
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Credit: N.A.S.A. Connect
AATC - Hurricane Hunters
Eye of the Storm:
Debriefing and Briefing
 In part one of the weather lab, we learned about the instruments
meteorologist use to study storm systems. We learned how to read an
analog thermometer, barometer, and hygrometer. We also learned
how to read a digital anemometer and weather station. Finally we
learned how the how these instruments can help meteorologists
monitor tropical systems like tropical storms and hurricanes.
 In part 2 of the weather lab, each each team will analyze dropsonde
data that has been collected over a five-day period. You will plot wind
speed, humidity, ocean surface temperature, cloud temperatures, and
barometric pressures.
Deploying the last dropsonde
into storm’s eye…
http://www.nasa.gov/mov/156471main_dropsondeSm.mov
Credit:
N.A.S.A.
Downloading Dropsonde Data
Altimeter
Barometer
Thermometer
Hygrometer
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Current Dropsonde Data Summary
Altimeter
Barometer
Altimeter (Wind Speeds):
Barometer (Pressure):
Low Pressure System-
Thermometer
4 to 8 knots ocean level57
knots at 800 feet 21 knots at
10,000 feet
Hygrometer
Thermometer (Ocean):
Falling in the Eye
Hygrometer (Humidity):
Relatively High
81 Degrees F
Back to
Analysis
Slide # 37
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8 Teams
Team 1:
Northeastern Bands
Team 2:
Eye Wall Egress (Entrance)
Team 3:
The Eye
Team 4:
The Eye Surface Level
Team 5:
Eye Wall Regress (Exit)
Team 6:
Southwestern Bands
Team 7:
Northwestern Storm Bands
Team 8:
Southeastern Storm Bands
Deciphering a METAR
Altimeter
METAR is a format for reporting weather information to
Barometer
Thermometer
Hygrometer
assist meteorologists in forecasting weather.A typical
METAR contains data for the temperature, dew point,
wind speed and direction, precipitation, cloud cover and
heights, visibility, and barometric pressure.
DIRECTIONS:
1.
You will work in your team to decode the METAR for
Charlie.
2.
Find the form titled: CHARLIE’S METAR.
3.
Read page 1 and then answer the questions on
page 2.
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Deciphering Charlie’s METAR:
Answers
Are the 6 Ingredients Present?
Click here for
answers
Ocean water temperature of 26.5ｰ (80ｰF)
to a minimum depth of 50m (164 ft).
Low-pressure system. Instability (air
that suddenly becomes cooler a short
distance above the surface).
High relative humidity in the bands and
low humidity in the center if storm.
Gentle upper atmosphere winds, without
any shear to rip the structure apart
surface level and over the storm.
Coriolis force to create circular flow at
distances greater than 5ｰ (about 335
miles or 555 km) North or South of the
equator.
A small storm (low pressure system) to
use as a seed for the big one.
4
E
Y
E
W
A
L
L
2
3
1
EY
E
Are the 6 Ingredients Present?
x
x
Ocean water temperature of 26.5ｰ (80ｰF)
to a minimum depth of 50m (164 ft).
Low-pressure system. Instability (air
that suddenly becomes cooler a short
distance above the surface).
x
High relative humidity in the bands and
low humidity in the center if storm.
x
Gentle upper atmosphere winds, without
any shear to rip the structure apart
surface level and over the storm.
x
x
Coriolis force to create circular flow at
distances greater than 5ｰ (about 335
miles or 555 km) North or South of the
equator.
A small storm (low pressure system) to
use as a seed for the big one.
4
E
Y
E
W
A
L
L
2
3
1
EY
E
Data Analyses Instructions
1. Each team has a folder with several forms in it.
2. Remove the Data Logs for the Humidity Readings,
Wind Readings, and Barometric Readings.
3. Graph the readings on each of the Data Logs.
4. You have 30 minutes to complete this task.
Data Analyses:
Is the Storm Intensifying?
Instructions:
Now remove from your folder the Data Synthesis Form and
Storm Intensification Indicators Chart. Answer the questions
on the Chart.
Team Meetings
You Have 10 Minutes.

Teams 2, 3, 4, and 5 meet to compare data and
determine if the eye shows develop and if there any
indications that the storm is strengthening. Elect a
leader who will report your findings.

Team 1, 8, 7, and 6 will meet to compare data and
determine if the bands show development and if there
are any indications that the storm is strengthening.

Elect a leader who will report your findings.
START NOW!
Data Reporting:
Is the Storm Intensifying?
Instructions:
 The two group leaders will now present their
findings. Group leaders will give evidences
or indicators that predict the storm’s
intensification or weakening.
 Each leader has 3 minutes to present their data.
Data Synthesis:
Answer
Here is the overlay data from all
teams. Is the storm strengthening?