Assume that a parcel of air is forced to rise up and over a 6000-foot-high Sierra Mountain in California (shown above) and descends to the Nevada lee-ward side

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Assume that a parcel of air is forced to rise up and over a 6000-foot-high Sierra Mountain in California (shown above) and descends to the Nevada lee-ward side.

·      The initial temperature of the parcel at sea level is 76.5°F, and the lifting condensation level (LCL) of the parcel is 3000 feet. LCL is the altitude at which the relative humidity of an air parcel will reach 100% with respect to liquid water when it is cooled by dry adiabatic lifting.

·      The DAR is 5.5°F/1000 ft, and the Saturated adiabatic Rate (SAR) is 3.3°F/1000 ft.

·      Calculate the temperature of the parcel at the following elevations as it rises up the windward side of the mountain.

A.  3,000 ft (use dry adiabatic lapse rate of 5.5º F/1,000 ft to find the new temperature) 

°F

B.  6,000 ft (use saturated lapse rate of 3.3º F/1,000 ft to find the new temperature)  

°F

C.  After the parcel of air has descended down the lee side of the mountain to sea level, what is the temperature of the parcel?

°F

(use dry adiabatic lapse rate of 5.5º F/1,000 ft to find the new temperature)  

D.  Where do you think the risk for fire hazard is higher - on the leeward side or windward side of the Sierra Mountain?

Why?