Practical Exercises in Elementary MeteorologyWard, Robert DeCourcy
Science
Practical Exercises in Elementary Meteorology
Ward, Robert DeCourcy
Meteorology
PROGRESSION OF CYCLONES AND ANTICYCLONES.
So far no definite study has been made of the changes in the positions of
cyclones and anticyclones. If these areas of stormy and fair weather
always occupied the same geographic positions, the different portions of
the country would always have the same kinds of weather. A knowledge of
the movements of the areas of low and high pressure makes weather
forecasting possible.
_A._ =Cyclones.=——Select a set of daily weather maps for a month. Turn to
the first map of the series. Note the position of the center of low
pressure, and indicate this position on a blank weather map of the United
States by marking down a small circle at the proper place. If there are
two or more areas of low pressure on the map, indicate the position of
each one of them in a similar way. Turn to the second map of the series,
and again enter on the blank map the position of the center of low
pressure. Connect the two positions of each center by a line. This line
may be called the _track_ of the low pressure center. Continue this
process through the whole set of maps, connecting all the new positions
with the last positions of their respective centers. Mark each position
with the appropriate date in small, neat figures. When completed your map
will show at a glance the tracks followed by all the cyclones which
traveled across the United States during the month you selected. Study
these tracks carefully. Notice whether there is any prevailing direction
in which the cyclones move, and whether they show any preference for
particular paths across the country. Can you frame a general rule for the
prevailing direction and path of movement? Are there any cases which do
not accord with the rule? If so, describe them. In what position, with
reference to the cyclonic tracks during the month you are studying, is the
region in which you are now living?
Next determine the _velocities_ with which these cyclones moved. Prepare a
scale of latitude degrees, as described in Chapter V, or of miles, as
given at the bottom of the weather map. Measure the distances, in miles,
between the successive positions of all the cyclonic centers. Divide these
distances by 24 in order to obtain the velocity in _miles per hour_. What
is the highest velocity per hour with which any cyclone moved during the
month? What is the lowest? What is the mean, or average, velocity?
Study the tracks and velocities of cyclones in a similar way during
several other months. Compare the positions of the tracks, and the
velocities of progression, in summer and winter.
_B._ =Anticyclones.=——Study the tracks and velocities of anticyclones in
precisely the same manner. Compare the results derived from your
investigations in the two cases.
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