Strong wind shear is a crucial ingredient for severe thunderstorm development. Wind shear is defined as the change in wind speed and direction with height. Supercell thunderstorms form most frequently on the Great Plains of the central US. The most common supercell wind profile exhibits southeasterly winds at the surface that strengthen and become westerly with altitude. The most common wind profile for a squall line (a.k.a. mesoscale convective system) is unidirectional, meaning that the wind speeds increase with height but the direction of the wind does not change with height. Five different wind profiles are below. Place a triangle around the letter beneath the most common supercell wind profile and place a circle around the letter beneath the most common MCS wind profile (1 point each). 200 mb 250 mb 300 mb 400 mb 500 mb 600 mb 700 mb 850 mb 1000 mb A. B. C. D. E. Bulk wind shear is calculated by finding the vector difference between the winds at two different heights. Using the supercell wind profile you identified, calculate the 0-1 km and 0-6 km bulk wind shear values. This means we will find the difference between the surface wind (lowest wind barb on the sounding) and the speed of the wind at 1 km and 5 km. The atmospheric pressure at 1 km above sea level is typically very close to 850 mb. The pressure at 6 km above sea level is very close to 500 mb. Please calculate the 0-1 km and 0-6 km wind shear values in knots (kts). For simplicity, assume that the surface winds are due southeasterly, the 850 mb winds are due southerly, and the 500 mb winds are due westerly. Show vour work. (2.5 points each)
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