Mountain Waves of the Past (Question 1)
This plot bisects the Guadalupe Mountains from WNW to ESE (perpendicular to the range). The peak of the mountain range is slightly to the left of the negative omega minimum. There are clear signs that a moutain wave signature exists in the cross section below.
Mountain Waves of the Present? (Question 2)
This cross section begins in Whitefish, MT and continues to ENE to the Canadian Border, with Cut Bank, MT as the midpoint. This puts the cross section perpendicular to the mountain range to the west of Cut Bank, MT.
Similarities/Differences to Plot above
One similarity is the pattern of neg. omega. Both plots have minimums near, and just lee of, the mountain ranges. However, the minimum near Cut Bank is about half as strong as the previous plot.
A more accurate similarity occurs in comparing the isentropes. Both plots have isentropes that tilt down/into the surface just downwind of the mountain ranges.
A final weak difference between the two plots are the directions of the ageostropic circulations. Although an even larger dissimilarity is apparent by comparing their magnitudes. The arrows in both cross sections were plotted with the same attributes, which indicates significantly
weaker ageostrophic winds in the vicinity of Cut Bank. Ultimately, the NWS forecast decision to not issue a wind advisory seems appropriate due to the marginal conditions for mountain waves to develop.
Need a laugh? Scroll Down! (I'm seriously this bored on spring break...)
