Question

The SALR thus varies depending on the amount of condensation occurring, but for this exercise we will assume a constant rate of 0.60C/100m. For this exercise, we will consider what happens to air traveling in the prevailing westerlies from the Pacific Coast near Posts, California and the Santa Lucia Mountains and down to the vicinity of Welby, California. The highest elevations in these mountains are at about 1500 meters, and Welby is at about 100m elevation (see Figure below).



1. Consider a parcel of air arriving at the Posts coast with a temperature of 150C and a dewpoint temperature of 100C. Since the winds here generally move from west to east, it can be expected to pass over the Santa Lucias and drop down to Welby. Keep in mind what is happening in terms of adiabatic processes, and assume that any water that condenses will fall out of the air as rain.

a. At what elevation will condensation begin?

b. What will the temperature be at the crest of the mountains and points shown on the mountains?

c. What will the relative humidity of the air be at the crest of the mountains?

d. What will the dewpoint temperature be at the crest of the mountains?

e. What will the temperature of the air be at Welby?

f. What will the dewpoint temperature be at Welby?

g. How has the temperature and actual humidity of the air changed between Posts and Welby?

h. How would you expect the combination of prevailing wind direction and adiabatic processes to affect the climates of Posts and Welby?​

Answer 1

Answer:

• ===>> The Santa Lucia Mountains or Santa Lucia Range is a rugged mountain range in coastal central California, running from Carmel southeast for 140 miles (230 km) to the Cuyama River in San Luis Obispo County. The range is never more than 11 miles (18 km) from the coast.[2]:11 The range forms the steepest coastal slope in the contiguous United States.Cone Peak at 5,158 feet (1,572 m) tall and three miles (5 km) from the coast, is the highest peak in proximity to the ocean in the lower 48 United States.The range was a barrier to exploring the coast of central California for early Spanish explorers.