Note that there are links to necessary information below. This is meant to be a very straight-forward assignment--don't overthink it!
10
points
#1) What does a typical El Nino winter
look like along the west coast of North America (both temperature and
precipitation)? Are there differences as you move from Mexico to
Canada along the coast? How much different from normal are the
conditions you note? Can you explain the temperature and
precipitation changes knowing that El Nino winters have a more
intense Aleutian low and a warmer coastal ocean? If applicable, note
any parts of the temp/precip patterns which don't seem to "fit."
10 points
#2)
What does a typical PDO look like along the west coast of North
America during winter (both temperature and precipitation)? Are there
differences as you move from Mexico to Alaska? How much different
from normal are the conditions you note? What parts of the pattern
can you explain knowing that positive (high) PDO winters have an
intensified Aleutian low? Explain, briefly, what the differences are
between El Nino and the PDO.
10 points
#3)
What is the winter influence of the AO on temperature and
precipitation across North America? Where in North America are the
strongest effects of this pattern on temperature and precipitation?
What effect does the AO have on the PNW (both temp and precip)? Give
an explanation for both the PNW and "strongest response" areas in
North America based on the sea level pressure pattern associated with
it. Why is the AO not typically used as a primary climate predictor
for Seattle?
5 points
#4)
Give a very brief argument (i.e. a reason supported by logic) for why
we typically tend to talk about the effect of these climate patterns
during winter. Can you think of examples of how these climate
patterns could affect the west coast during different times of the
year?
