Hands-On, Minds-On Meteorology Description | Programming | Operation Cyclone Description The Cyclone application allows students to dynamically view two common cyclone tracks and observe how weather conditions change at various locations along the track. Track #1: Colorado Low Cyclone starts in Colorado as open wave; takes typical track through N. Texas and along the western side of the Appalachian Mts. Fronts progress around the low with the system becoming occluded in Ohio. Data (Temperature, Dew Point Temperature) for Nashville, TN are plotted on a meteogram to the right of the map. Track #2: Alberta Clipper Cyclone starts as open wave along the British Columbia/Alberta border; track follows US/Canadian border. Fronts progress around the low with the system occluding near Toronto. Data (Temperature, Dew Point Temperature) for Chicago, IL are plotted to the right of the map. click for whole shot   Objectives The primary goal of the Cyclone program is to provide students with a tool that lets them see a cyclone progress across the United States and to observe how fronts migrate around the low and create various weather changes at locations near the cyclone. Programming Theory The cyclone tracks were predesignated based on common clipper and Colorado low paths. The points that define each cyclone track are determined by a pair of arrays (x and y pixel value). The center of the cyclone (marked by a red 'L'), travels along that track. Assumptions The 'data' provided on the meteogram comes from idealized values that would be experienced during early spring or late fall at points along the track. A linear change in the data between these points is assumed. Equations N/A Other N/A Operation Running the Program Click the link for Cyclone. Change cyclone tracks with the appropriate pulldown menu. Click Start to put the cyclone in motion. After (and only after) the cyclone has run through its track once, use the mouse to drag the cyclone along the track. Save the current side by clicking save. Once a track has been chosen and set in motion, choosing the other track is impossible unless the reset button is clicked. The cyclone must again run through the track before being able to again use the mouse. Tracks There are two tracks that the user can choose from: Track #1: Colorado Low The cyclone starts in Colorado as open wave and travels across the United States toward the northeast. The fronts migrate around the low pressure center with the system first occluding in Ohio. A black line is drawn to show the path of the low pressure center. A black dot is located at Nashville, Tennessee. The data plotted on the meteogram to the right of the graph illustrates the conditions experienced in Nashville when the cyclone is at that particular location along the track. Track #2: Alberta Clipper The cyclone starts as open wave along the British Columbia/Alberta border and tracks eastward to the northeastern United States. Fronts migrate around the low pressure center with the system first occluding in eastern Ontario. A black line is drawn to show the path of the low pressure center. A black dot is located at Chicago, Illinois. The data plotted on the meteogram to the right of the graph illustrates the conditions experienced in Nashville when the cyclone is at that particular location along the track. Meteogram The red line is the city temperature. The cyan line is the dew point temperature. The yellow line shows the conditions in the city when the cyclone is at a particular location along the track. Numeric values of temperature, dew point and relative humidity are plotted below the meteogram. The compass shows the wind direction (direction wind is coming from). Cyclone graphics Each of the six figures illustrating various stages of the cyclone includes a cold front and warm front and possibly an occluded front (last 2 figures only). Thin, black arrows are drawn to denote typical wind direction. Relative temperatures are listed around the cyclone as "cold," "cool," and "warm" Moisture contest is listed for regions south and west of the cyclone "moist," and "dry" Graphing Graphs of temperature and dew point temperature with location (time) along the track can be created by clicking the "Graphing Tool." Extra Knowledge N/A Department of Atmospheric Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Created by Dan Bramer: Last Modified 07/27/2004 send questions/comments to bramer@atmos.uiuc.edu