GES 103-14 - Lab4
The Trade Winds are one type of prevailing wind pattern. How many other types of prevailing winds are there among earth's global wind patterns?
2
Why are anticyclones not generally associated with clouds and rain?
Air in anticyclones undergoes warming as the air descends.
Why are cyclones generally associated with clouds and rain?
Air in cyclones undergoes cooling as it rises.
What are the main differences between aneroid barometers and mercurial barometers?
Aneroid barometers are smaller and more portable, but less accurate than mercurial barometers.
At which location would you expect air to have the highest density on a typical winter day?
Barrow, Alaska
Why does location E have more powerful wind gusts than location A?
Because the isobars are closest together.
Why does wind between the equator and 30 degrees south come out of the southeast?
Cooled air moves north toward the equator and is deflected toward the west by the Coriolis effect.
Which parameter has the greatest influence on wind speed?
Difference in air pressure
Which parameter has the most influence in changing air pressure?
Horizontal Movement of Air
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis force will deflect wind blowing from the south in which direction?
Northeast
Earth rotates about its axis and all objects on its surface are constantly moving around in a large circle in space. The Earth's oceans and atmosphere are also spinning around with Earth at the same rate. The Coriolis effect may therefore seem predominant, but not all objects are influenced by it and not all the influences get noticed. Which of the following are influenced by Coriolis effect.
Ocean Currents helicopter on a flight
In addition to friction and the pressure-gradient force, which other force is influential in the control of wind on Earth?
The Coriolis force
Which statement regarding the Coriolis force is correct?
The Coriolis force affects only wind direction, not wind speed.
What term is used to describe the effect on air movement produced by Earth's rotation?
The coriolis Effect
What is the air that sinks at latitudes of 30 degrees north and south like?
This air is cool and dry.
In which direction would winds move at the poles if Earth rotated in the opposite direction?
Wind from the north pole would move to the southeast, and the wind from the south pole would move to the northeast.
How does the Coriolis effect influence wind currents?
Wind is deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
What is an anticylone?
a center of high atmospheric pressure
What is a cyclone?
a center of low atmospheric pressure
On a weather map, you examine the isobars and find that concentric rings of the pressure system increase in air pressure toward the center. Which type of pressure system is depicted on the map?
anticyclone
What are jet streams
bands of high-speed wind found at elevations of 9-15km
Where are the two main hemispheric jet streams located?
between 50 and 60 degrees latitude and at about 30 degrees latitude
Which way does air converge on a cyclone in the Northern Hemisphere?
counterclockwise direction
Low-pressure centers are also referred to as __________, while high-pressure centers are called __________.
cyclones, anticyclones
Which way does air move in an anticyclone in the Northern Hemisphere?
down and in a clockwise direction
Because of divergence of air associated with an anticyclone, what type of weather is generally associated with this pressure system?
fair and clear
Which way does air converge on a cyclone in the Southern Hemisphere?
in a clockwise direction
How does air move near the top of a cyclone?
in the same direction as air in the upper atmosphere
Due to the Coriolis and pressure-gradient forces, winds in a low-pressure system in the Northern Hemisphere blow in which direction?
inward and counterclockwise
What are Rossby waves?
major undulations in the path of a jet stream
On a weather map, you notice a large pressure system centered over the Pacific Northwest. This system shows isobars that increase toward the center. In which direction would you expect the winds to be blowing in this system?
outward and counterclockwise
Looking at a weather map of North America, you notice that the isobars in an approaching pressure system are very closely spaced and show a decrease in pressure toward the center. What type of weather would you anticipate over the next 24 to 48 hours?
rainy and windy
Which way would wind travel in the region between 30 and 60 degrees latitude if Earth stopped rotating?
south in the Southern Hemisphere and north in the Northern Hemisphere
What is the Coriolis effect?
the deflection of objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere
How can the jet stream return to normal zonal flow after Rossby waves build?
through separation of a mass of cold air from the jet stream
Which way would an airplane deflect if flying from the South Pole toward the equator?
to the left
Which way would an airplane deflect if flying from the East Coast of the United States to the West Coast of the United States?
to the north
Which way would an airplane deflect if flying from the west coast of South Africa to the east coast of South Africa?
to the north
Which way would an airplane deflect if flying from the North Pole toward the equator?
to the right
How would an object in Earth's atmosphere be deflected as a result of Earth's rotation?
to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere
Which way would an airplane deflect if flying from the North Pole toward the equator?
to the west
Which way would an airplane deflect if flying from the east coast of South Africa to the west coast of South Africa?
toward the south
In which direction do jet streams generally travel?
west to east
Above the zone of friction, clear air turbulence occurs when which conditions are met?
when air at one level is moving at a different velocity than an adjacent level in the atmosphere
