Wind is blowing from Lubbock to Abilene at 10 knots. Assuming a uniform and gradual slope between the two cities, what is the implied sign and magnitude of w resulting purely from this orographic influence? Will this wind warm or cool in transit, and by how much?

To determine the implied sign and magnitude of the wind resulting purely from the orographic influence between Lubbock and Abilene, we need to consider the topography and the general effects of orographic lifting.

Orographic lifting occurs when the wind encounters a mountain or a sloping terrain. As the air encounters the rising slope, it is forced to ascend, leading to several atmospheric changes. These changes include adiabatic cooling, cloud formation, and precipitation on the windward side of the slope. On the leeward side, the air descends and undergoes adiabatic warming.

In this scenario, the wind is blowing from Lubbock to Abilene, indicating that the wind is coming from the west (westward wind). Since the wind is blowing from Lubbock to Abilene, it is encountering a westward-facing slope. Therefore, we can assume that Abilene is located on the leeward side of the slope.

As the wind ascends the slope when moving from Lubbock to Abilene, it undergoes adiabatic cooling. This means that the air cools as it rises, resulting in a decrease in temperature. The amount of cooling depends on the lapse rate, which is the rate at which temperature decreases with altitude. On average, the lapse rate is around 6.5 degrees Celsius per 1000 meters.

Now, to estimate the magnitude of the cooling, we need to consider the elevation difference between Lubbock and Abilene. Let's assume that the elevation difference is 500 meters.

Using the average lapse rate, we can calculate the cooling as follows:

Cooling = Lapse rate * Elevation difference
= 6.5 degrees Celsius/1000m * 500m
= 3.25 degrees Celsius

Therefore, the wind is expected to cool by approximately 3.25 degrees Celsius during its transit from Lubbock to Abilene due to orographic lifting.

As for the implied sign of "w," which represents the wind resulting purely from orographic influence, it would need more specific information about the orientation and shape of the slope to determine the exact sign. However, in this case, since the wind is blowing from Lubbock to Abilene, we can assume that the implied "w" is positive, indicating an increase in wind speed due to orographic lifting.

To summarize, the implied sign of "w" resulting purely from this orographic influence is positive, indicating an increase in wind speed. The wind will cool during its transit from Lubbock to Abilene by approximately 3.25 degrees Celsius due to adiabatic cooling resulting from orographic lifting.