Author Question: How can shortwaves be identified and followed on 500 mb charts? What will be the ideal ... (Read 41 times)

Garrulous · **on:** Jul 13, 2018

How can shortwaves be identified and followed on 500 mb charts?
What will be the ideal response?

Question 2

Why is it important to locate and follow the movements of atmospheric shortwaves?
What will be the ideal response?

Rilsmarie951 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 13, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANSWER: Sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint the location of a shortwave trough on a 500-mb chart simply by looking at the contour lines. However, with the aid of vorticity, it is possible to locate a shortwave on a map and determine how it will move. The shortwave aligns itself with the region of maximum vorticity. So where we find a vorticity maximum on the chart, we also find a shortwave trough.

Answer to Question 2

ANSWER: Shortwaves disturb upper-level air flow and accentuate the region of baroclinicity. Baroclinicity in the atmosphere is responsible for the development of cyclones and anticyclones in the mid latitudes.