GEOG 120 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Polar Front, Hydrosphere, Strong Tower Radio
Document Summary
Rain that does not reach the ground. Occur primarily along the polar front. See diagrams in text and animations on course website. Wave cyclones tend to form in certain areas (typically the polar front) and travel common paths. Mid- latitude wave cyclones tend to travel generally eastward. Polar front and jet stream provide a steering effect (causes the undulations) See air mass source regions diagram in text. Thunderstorms, tornadoes, intense wave cyclones, tropical cyclones. Strong convection or mechanical lifting. Significant latent heat release. Strong air mass contrast. Small but very intense cyclonic vortex. Associated with thunderstorms along mid- latitude fronts. Most frequent in north america. Categorized f0 to f5 see diagrams in text for air mass influences on north america. Develop over warm ocean surfaces. Generally form between 8 and 15 latitude. Migrate westward and curve toward the poles (as opposed to wave cyclones that travel east- west) Include high winds, high waves, storm surges and heavy rains.
