Term
| Where do MIDDLE-LATITUDE CYCLONES tend to FORM? |
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Definition
Tend to form in MIDDLE and HIGHER LATITUDES (TEMPERATE REGIONS).
**GULF OF MEXICO, ATLANTIC OCEAN EAST OF THE CAROLINAS and EASTERN SLOPE OF HIGH MOUNTAIN RANGES like ROCKIES and SIERRA NEVADA. |
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Term
| What is the LIFE CYCLE of a MID-LAT CYCLONE? |
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Definition
Stages:
1. Formation Stage (Stationary Front)
2. Early Stage
3. Open Stage
4. Occluded Stage
5. Dissipation Stage |
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Term
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Definition
| Occurs at a STATIONARY FRONT where winds BLOW ALMOST PARALLEL and from OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS on each side of the front. |
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Term
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Definition
Occurs at FRONTAL WAVE or INCIPIENT CYCLONE.
- STATIONARY FRONT becomes unstable and causes a WAVELIKE DEFORMATION along front.
** REGION OF LOW PRESSURE (central) at JUNCTION of both fronts. |
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Term
| STAGE 3: Open (MATURE) Stage |
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Definition
| A FULLY DEVELOPED OPEN WAVE (stronger cyclonic storm) - a MATURE CYCLONE can exceed 400 miles in DIAMETER. - the region between warm and cold front is the WARM SECTOR (SW WINDS) |
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Term
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Definition
occurs when the FASTER MOVING COLD FRONT eventually OVERTAKES WARM FRONT and system becomes OCCLUDED.
***TRIPLE POINT: point of occlusion where COLD FRONT, WARM FRONT AND OCCLUDED FRONT all come together.
*the central pressure shifts* |
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Term
| STAGE 5: Dissipation Stage |
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Definition
(a.k.a CUT OFF STAGE)
-occlusion eliminates SURFACE WARM AIR that PROVIDES ENERGY which leads to STORM WEAKENING AND DISSIPATING. |
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