Computer Assignment #9
Assigned: 24 Mar 2004
Due: 31 Mar 2004

This computer assignment is the start of a two part exercise and will deal with the balance of forces.

gdwind

GVECT

wnd

geo

age

 

 

1. Plot the initialized 250mb winds (m/s red) for the ruc211 model run of 2004032400. Overlay the observed winds (m/s yellow) and the observed heights (skyblue) for the same time.
   
2. Plot the 250mb geostrophic winds (m/s yellow) and the 250 winds (m/s red) for the initialized 250 MB surface.
   
3. Plot the surface winds for 20040324 00UTC and the mean sea level pressure analysis.

 

Questions

1. Are there any differences between in the model initialized winds and the observed winds for this time at 250mb?
   
2. Are there any differences between the actual winds and the geostrophic winds at 250mb for this time period? If so, where are the greatest differences located.
   
3. Are there any regions where the actual winds at the surface geostrophic? Why are the winds cross isobaric?

Plot your three graphics and answers to a seperate webpage and post on weather.ou.edu. E-mail laufers@ou.edu.

 

Hints:

1. The wind parameter in the program gdwind is made up of the arrow type, MKS units, and color.
   example: bm5 is for wind barbs in m/2 plotted as yellow.
2. The wind parameter size can be controlled as well and a smaller barb might make it easier to read the map.
3. GDATTIM for models is based on forecasts, so F0 is the initial forecast (obs) , F03 is the 3 hour forecast, F06 the six hour forecast all based from the initialization time.