Author Question: Suppose you observe lenticular clouds that appear to be motionless. Is the air in the vicinity of ... (Read 32 times)

humphriesbr@me.com · **on:** Jul 13, 2018

Suppose you observe lenticular clouds that appear to be motionless. Is the air in the vicinity of the cloud motionless? Explain.
What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Explain why the surface air on the leeward side of a mountain can be drier than the surface air on the windward side. What is this effect called? Can you think of a location in the United States where this might actually occur?
What will be an ideal response?

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

Answer to Question 1

ANSWER: Stable air flowing over a mountain often moves in a series of waves that may extend for several hundred kilometers on the leeward side. These waves resemble the waves that form in a river downstream from a large boulder. As moist air rises on the upwind side of the wave, it cools and condenses, producing a cloud. On the downwind side of the wave, the air sinks and warms; the cloud evaporates. These clouds are called lenticular clouds, and because they appear motionless viewed from the ground, they are often referred to as standing wave clouds even though the air in their vicinity is not motionless.

Answer to Question 2

ANSWER: Air descending a mountain warms by compressional heating and, upon reaching the surface, can be much warmer than the air at the same level on the windward side, especially when condensation occurs and latent heat is released on the windward side. In addition, air on the leeward side of a mountain is normally drier (has a lower dew point) than the air on the windward side because water in the form of clouds and precipitation often remains on the windward side. The lower dew point and higher air temperature on the leeward side produce a lower relative humidity, a greater potential for evaporation of water, and a rain shadow desert. This scenario can be found in the Rocky Mountain Region (e.g. Colorado) of the United States. Colorado's Front Range tends to be both warmer and drier than areas of equivalent altitude on the Western Slope.