Storm track

Definition

A storm track refers to the path that storms, especially extratropical cyclones, take as they move through the atmosphere. This track is influenced by various factors such as jet streams, pressure systems, and local topography. Understanding storm tracks is crucial for predicting weather patterns, as they dictate where storms will likely bring precipitation and severe weather events.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Storm tracks are often found in the mid-latitudes, where the interaction between cold polar air and warm tropical air creates conditions favorable for storm development.
2. The location and strength of jet streams can significantly alter storm tracks, steering storms further north or south based on their position.
3. Changes in sea surface temperatures, such as those seen in El Niño and La Niña events, can impact storm tracks by altering atmospheric circulation patterns.
4. Geographical features like mountains and valleys can modify storm tracks by changing wind direction and creating areas of uplift or subsidence.
5. Meteorologists use computer models to simulate and predict storm tracks, which helps in issuing weather warnings and preparing for potential impacts.

Review Questions

• How do jet streams influence the path of storm tracks?
  • Jet streams are fast-moving air currents in the upper atmosphere that play a crucial role in steering storms along their tracks. When a jet stream is positioned over a region, it can direct storms further north or south, affecting where precipitation and severe weather occur. The strength and configuration of the jet stream can enhance or weaken storm systems, ultimately influencing their development and trajectory.
• What role do geographical features play in modifying storm tracks?
  • Geographical features like mountains and valleys can significantly modify storm tracks by altering wind patterns. When storms encounter mountains, they may be forced to rise, which can intensify precipitation on one side while creating drier conditions on the other. Similarly, valleys can channel winds and affect how storms move through an area. These interactions illustrate how local terrain can impact broader meteorological phenomena.
• Evaluate how changes in sea surface temperatures influence storm tracks and their potential effects on regional weather.
  • Changes in sea surface temperatures, particularly during El Niño and La Niña events, have a profound effect on atmospheric circulation patterns that influence storm tracks. For instance, warmer ocean temperatures associated with El Niño can lead to a southward shift in the storm track, bringing increased rainfall to certain regions while causing drought in others. This dynamic highlights the interconnectedness of oceanic and atmospheric conditions and their combined impact on regional weather patterns.

Related terms

Extratropical Cyclone: A type of cyclone that forms outside the tropics, typically associated with fronts and characterized by low pressure at its center.

Jet Stream: A fast-flowing air current found in the upper levels of the atmosphere, which significantly influences weather patterns and storm movement.

Pressure Systems: Large-scale areas of high or low atmospheric pressure that can affect wind patterns and precipitation, thus influencing storm tracks.