EOSC 114 Study Guide - Enhanced Fujita Scale, Tornado Watch, Fluid Parcel

• School: UBC
• Department: Earth and Ocean Sciences
• Course: EOSC 114
• Professor: Brett Gilley

Document Summary

Cloud top near the top of troposphere (10-15 km) If very strong updrafts then dome of clouds overshoot above the anvil. Anvil can be 100s km in diameter. Main updraft (stem of mushroom) is 15 km diameter. Cumulonimbus (thunderstorms) are made of large cells that evolve during 15-30 min. Most thunderstorms contain 2 or more cells, and are called multicell thunderstorms. Sometimes a veryl arge, rotating single-cell thunderstorm forms, called supercell tstorm. They can cause tornadoes, large hail, frequent lightning, heavy rain, strong winds. Supercells types: low precipitation, classical, high precipitation. Solar energy is absorbed at 3 different heights: top (thermosphere) Absorption of non-visible light: middle (stratopause) Absorption of ultraviolet by ozone: bottom (earth surface) Light shines thru lower level, it heat the ground which then heat the air in the troposphere. Surface heat budget: some solar energy reflects back unto space. Some intercepted by clouds -> scattered back to space.