Assignment #2: Comparing the Global and Regional
Reanalysis.
The NARR data are only available for plotting from 00Z 01 Feb 1995 to 21Z 31 jan 1996 at 3 hours intervals. (hence we can't use our April 1989 "heart" date!) so, do the following:
(1) Pick a new date and time during the period of data
availability
Suggestion -- to pick an interesting
date, try using NOAA's Storm Events website:
http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwEvent~Storms (see examples
below)
(2) Plot 1 or 2 maps of the same variable you worked on in Assignment
#1 -- or another more appropriate variable if you wish -- using:
(a) the NCEP/NCAR
Global Reanalysis site and
(b) the
NARR Plotting Page .
(3) Note any differences and write a few sentences about what you discovered by doing this comparison.
(4) Save your maps on SSH as before.
EXAMPLES OF STORM EVENTS found at NOAA's Storm Events website
Source: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~253653
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Description: Flooding occurred on every major river in Western Washington. The Skagit River at Concrete set a new record of 41.6 ft, which was eight tenths of a foot over the previous record and at Mt Vernon it was within one tenth of a foot of the record. The Snohomish River at Monroe crested nearly 10 feet above flood stage. Other major floods were on the Snoqualmie River which was seven feet above flood stage and the Nooksack River which was six feet above flood stage. Most rivers crested near or at record levels. Road closures included U.S. Highways 2 and 12 and even eastbound lanes of Interstate 90. In Snohomish County 2,000 students could not make it to school due to flooded roads. In the towns of Duvall and Carnation 15,000 people were stranded as the flooded rivers covered the few roads in and out of town. Nearly 1,500 homes or mobile homes sustained damage from the floods. A state of emergency was declared in 16 counties in the state. An estimated $3 million dollars will need to be spent for road repair. For the month of November most areas had twice their normal average rainfall and many areas fell just short of setting records for the wettest November ever. In Whatcom County a spotter reported 3.4 inches of rain in 12 hrs. The Yakima and Naches rivers in eastern WA also flooded causing damage to 19 homes and road closures. |
Source: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~248281
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Description: A series of strong thunderstorms moving through Tucson brought widespread damage. Many power poles were knocked over with roofs torn off some buildings. As much as four inches of rain accompanied these storms. Some areas received three-quarters inch hail. Washes in the area were running near bank full. One woman attempting to drive through a wash was swept to her death. F43VE |
