METR 4350 / ESCI 5350 – Mesoscale Meteorology
Review for Exam 2
Test-taking Tips:
1. Use pictures and graphs with appropriate labels to help answer questions.
2. When asked to provide an explanation, describe your reasoning using simple
meteorological language. Use complete sentences.
3. Review your homework problems.
4. Study together. What you may not understand, your classmates may.
Deep Convection: Forecasting Parameters
1. Review the SPC document on forecast parameters.
2. Know the respective forecast roles of the Storm Prediction Center and any given local
NWS forecast office in regard to mesoscale forecasting.
3. Know how SBCAPE, MLCAPE, MUCAPE, CIN, LI, Bulk Shear, BRN, SREH, EHI,
SCP, and STP are calculated, as well as their range of values, typical values, and any
forecast criteria regarding storm type and/or severe weather.
4. Know the strengths and weaknesses of each of the forecast parameters listed above.
5. Be prepared to use the CAPE – shear phase space diagram as well as the above
parameters and/or a hodograph to forecast the type of convection (single cell, multicell,
and/or supercell) and the possibility of severe weather.
6. Know how to effectively use the collection of parameters to make a mesoscale forecast of
deep convection.
7. Know which parameters are used to make forecasts for a given mesoscale event (i.e.
general deep convection, storm type, supercell intensity, and tornadoes)
Supercell Processes
1. Re-read Chapter 8.4.3 – 8.4.5 in your text.
2. Know the location within a typical synoptic-scale system where supercells often develop
3. Know the typical CAPE, CIN, and hodograph characteristics most often observed in the
supercell environment.
4. Be prepared to discuss (and possibly sketch) the basic radar reflectivity structure of a
supercell during its early, intermediate, or mature stage.
5. Know the three (3) processes that occur during a supercell’s early stage.
6. Know the two (2) processes that occur during the supercell’s intermediate stage.
7. Know the three (2) processes that occur during a supercell’s mature stage.
8. Be prepared to describe (and possibly sketch) the important steps, physics, and/or
characteristics involved in one of the above seven (7) processes.
9. Know the distinction between crosswise and streamwise horizontal vorticity, including its
relevance to the development of a low-level mesocyclone.
10. Know the three most common reasons why a supercell dissipates.
11. Know how supercell motions are estimated from a sounding (or hodograph) before cells
develop, and why such estimates are useful. How do the new and old methods differ?
12. Know the basic differences between supercells that evolve in environments with straight
hodographs and supercells that evolve in environments with curved hodographs.
Tornadoes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Re-read Chapter 10.1 in your text.
Know the basic history and breakdown of the original F-scale.
Know how (in a very basic sense) the intensity of any given tornado is determined.
Know why the enhanced F-scale was developed.
Be prepared to discuss the basic spatial and temporal patterns of the U.S. tornado
climatology, including its annual cycle and long-term trends.
6. Be prepared to discuss the three (3) different scales of motion regarding tornadoes, the
structures observed at each scale, and which can be regularly observed with radar.
7. Be prepared to sketch and discuss the common tornado damage pattern.
8. Be prepared to discuss the various methods used to document the tornado core over the
past several decades.
9. Know a basic definition for the swirl ratio, and know how tornado structure changes as
the swirl ratio increases.
10. Be prepared to sketch and discuss the five regions of air flow in the conceptual model of
a tornado.
11. Be prepared to describe and/or sketch the local environmental difference and physical
processes involved in one of the two (2) leading theories as to how tornadoes form in
supercells, including the storm-scale circulations common to both theories.
12. Be prepared to discuss the physical processes by which tornadoes are believed to develop
in non-supercell convection.
13. Know the two (2) additional forecast parameters that are useful in forecasting tornado
formation, including why they are useful.