Adjusting the height of the 500 mb level upward and the 1000 mb level downward will affect the 1000-500 mb layer how?

• A. It will make the layer cooler
• B. It will make the layer warmer
• C. It will have no effect
• D. It will make the layer more unstable

Answer: (B)

Adjusting the 500 mb level upward and the 1000 mb level downward has implications for the temperature profile in the 1000-500 mb layer, which is important in determining the stability of the atmosphere. When the 500 mb level is raised, it typically indicates a decrease in pressure aloft, which can be associated with rising air and thus a reduction in temperature at that level. Conversely, lowering the 1000 mb level means you're decreasing the pressure at the surface level, often leading to sustained heating in that layer particularly if there is daytime heating or enhanced surface warming.

The combination of these adjustments tends to increase the temperature gradient between the 1000 mb and 500 mb levels. If the 1000 mb level heats up more than the 500 mb level cools, the result will be that the overall temperature in the 1000-500 mb layer will rise, making it warmer. This is why the correct answer indicates that the layer will become warmer. Understanding these relationships is crucial for forecasting and analyzing atmospheric stability and potential weather patterns.