Observed average surface pressure and winds during July

Seasonal pressure areas:

  1. Monsoon Low

  2. Thermal Low over SW US.

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT:

  1. How is a thermal low created??

  2. Would you expect the depth of a "thermal low" to be shallow or deep, extending through the depth of the troposphere? Explain.

  3. An example of a "cold-core" low is a mid-latitude cyclone. Would you expect a cold-core low to be shallow or deep? Explain.

  4. A subtropical high is an example of a "warm-core" high. Would you expect a warm-core high to be shallow or deep? Explain.

  5. An arctic high is an example of a "cold-core" high. Would you expect a cold-core high to be shallow or deep? Explain.

Check out the 500 mb hemispheric chart to identify any of these semi-permanent or seasonal highs and lows....