Chapter 7, 8, 9, and 10 Astronomy test
A developing tornado is called a funnel cloud until it makes contact with the surface. True/False
True
Drylines are capable of producing thunderstorms because: a. the dry air mass forces the moist air mass to rise. b. there is an abrupt change in temperature across the dryline. c. the dry air mass is unstable and rising. d. the moist air mass lifts the dry air mass.
a
Which of the following is an example of a mesoscale wind? a. a sea breeze b. hurricane c. a traveling anticyclone d. waves in the westerlies
a
Monsoons are characterized by _______. a. a large, persistent convergence zone b. a wind system that changes its direction twice each year c. a heavy rain season d. warming in the equatorial Pacific Ocean e. a large persistent divergence zone
b
The lifting of air and the resulting formation of clouds and rain is more gentle (gradual) for a: a. occluded front. b. warm front. c. divergence zone. d. cold front. e. mesocyclone.
b
The primary force causing ocean currents is: a. the Coriolis effect. b. the major winds. c. the earth's elliptical orbit around the Sun. d. the earth's rotation about its axis. e. temperature differences between cold water below and warm water above.
b
The region where the northeast trades meet the southeast trades is known as the: a. rainforest. b. ITCZ. c. subtropics. d. high latitudes. e. hot zone.
b
What air-mass contributes to the formation of thunderstorms in the central U.S.? a. cA b. mT c. mP d. stormy ones
b
A dryline generally forms between which two air masses? a. cP and mT b. mP and mT c. cT and mT d. cP and cT
c
El Niño events are characterized by: a. a very strong cold current flowing along the eastern edge of South America. b. strengthening of the NE trade winds. c. warm water piling up near Indonesia. d. pooling of unusually warm water in the eastern tropical Pacific.
d
The ________ air mass may produce an occasional "nor'easter" in the winter. a. cP b. mT c. cT d. mP
d
A tornado is a small, very intense example of the: a. Coriolis effect. b. anticyclone. c. jet stream. d. geostrophic wind. e. cyclone.
e
What causes the dissipating stage of a thunderstorm? a. converging surface winds b. loss of radiant energy from cloud top c. release of latent heat within the cloud d. converging winds aloft e. spreading downdraft cuts off air inflow
e
Which location in a midlatitude cyclone is likely experiencing steady, light rain (or snow) and overcast conditions? a. behind the cold front b. ahead of the cold front c. behind the warm front d. along the cold front e. ahead of the warm front
e
The term "cyclone" simply refers to the circulation around any low-pressure center, no matter how large or intense it is. True/False
true
A front with a surface boundary that is not moving is known as a stable front. True/False
False
Freezing rain and/or sleet occur most often with a cold front. True/False
False
Frontal systems cause clouds by adding moisture to the air. True/False
False
Most precipitation from thunderstorms originates through the collision-coalescence process. True/False
False
The first sign of an approaching warm front is the appearance of nimbostratus clouds. True/False
False
A mesocyclone often precedes tornado development. True/False
True
Cold fronts are steeper than warm fronts. True/False
True
Cold fronts generally travel faster than warm fronts. True/False
True
Humid air is less dense than dry air. True/False
True
Middle-latitude cyclones quickly die out once all the warm air has been lifted aloft. True/False
True
Middle-latitude cyclones typically develop along segments of the polar front. True/False
True
Temperature inversions (stable layers) in air layers above the ground can enhance thunderstorm development. True/False
True
The anvil top of a thunderstorm often marks the beginning of the stratosphere. True/False
True
Thunderstorms are most common along a cold front. True/False
True
Thunderstorms are not always associated with cyclonic activity. True/False
True
A ________ cold front occurs when a strong high-pressure circulation brings colder, mP air into the eastern United States from the Atlantic Ocean. a. backdoor b. reverse c. anticyclonic d. veering
a
A boundary between two air masses is called _______. a. a front b. a midlatitude cyclone c. a millibar d. an isotherm e. an isobar
a
A nor'easter typically occurs when: a. NE winds associated with a low-pressure system draw mP air into the northeastern United States. b. a cP air mass from the northeast moves into Texas. c. the NE tradewinds strengthen in the Pacific during a La Niña event. d. the polar jet stream weakens and allows mP air to invade New England.
a
An air mass from the Gulf of Mexico that moves northward over the U.S. in winter would be labeled: a. mTw. b. cTk. c. mPw. d. mTk. e. cTw.
a
An air mass is often modified as it moves over the earth's surface. This modification is largely due to: a. contact with the new surface below. b. strong pressure gradients. c. lifting along fronts. d. jet streams above. e. clouds.
a
An approaching wave cyclone would be indicated by a ________ barometer reading. a. rapidly falling b. high c. very low d. slowly rising e. variable, rising then falling
a
As a warm front approaches, which progression of clouds are you most likely to see? a. cirrus, cirrostratus, altostratus, nimbostratus b. cirrus, cumulonimbus c. cirrocumulus, cirrus, nimbostratus, stratus d. altostratus, cirrostratus, stratus, cumulonimbus
a
Downdrafts and updrafts found side by side occur during the ________ in the life cycle of an air mass thunderstorm. a. mature stage b. cumulus stage c. dissipating stage
a
Downdrafts totally dominate the ________ of an air mass thunderstorm. a. dissipating stage b. mature stage c. cumulus stage
a
If Earth had no landmasses, then the idealized zonal precipitation pattern would have _______. a. wet regions at the equator and mid-latitudes b. wet regions near 30 degrees north and south of the equator c. wet regions at the equator and the poles d. dry regions at the equator and poles e. dry regions in the midlatitudes and poles
a
If the lowercase letter k appears at the end of an air mass identification code, what can be said about the changes likely to happen within that air mass? a. The air mass is likely to become more unstable. b. The air mass is likely to become more stable. c. The air mass will not undergo any air mass modifications. d. The expected air mass modifications are impossible to predict.
a
In the United States, a mesoscale convective complex is most likely to develop in: a. the Great Plains. b. the Pacific Northwest. c. the Gulf of Mexico. d. New England.
a
In the United States, lake-effect snows occur over which area? a. the leeward shores of the Great Lakes b. Lake Champlain c. the windward side of the Mississippi River d. the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains
a
Most of the earth's deserts are located in the: a. subsidence areas of subtropical highs. b. doldrum belt. c. areas along the polar front. d. boundary between liquid and frozen oceans. e. tradewind belt.
a
Siberian Express is the term used when: a. an outbreak of bitterly cold air from Canada intrudes over a large part of the United States. b. an mP air mass from the north Atlantic enters New England and generates snowfall. c. a modified air mass originating in Siberia reaches the Pacific Northwest. d. an unusually cold air mass enters the Rocky Mountains.
a
The Gulf Stream is the name given to: a. a warm current carrying water from the equator along the East Coast of the United States. b. the circulation of water in the Gulf of Mexico. c. a counter-clockwise surface current in the Gulf of California. d. the current carrying cold water from the North Pole along the West Coast of the United States.
a
The North American monsoon is generated by the seasonal wind shifts associated with: a. the development of a summertime thermal low in Arizona. b. the migration of the ITCZ. c. the arrival of the polar jet. d. the southward movement of the subpolar low.
a
The ________ air mass provides much of the moisture for precipitation in the central and eastern United States. a. mT b. cT c. cP d. mP
a
The circulation in the immediate vicinity of a thunderstorm is: a. variable and gusty. b. anticyclonic. c. cyclonic. d. calm.
a
The energy of a mid-latitude cyclone comes mainly from: a. sinking cold air and rising warm air. b. ocean water. c. clouds. d. Earth's interior. e. greenhouse effect.
a
The glaze (or freezing rain) that sometimes forms in association with warm fronts occurs when: a. rain strikes a very cold surface and freezes directly to it. b. snow melts against a warm surface and later freezes. c. rain freezes as it falls through the air. d. rain falls during the day and freezes at night.
a
The gust front occurs: a. at the leading edge of a thunderstorm downdraft. b. near the anvil part of a thunderstorm cloud. c. during the development of thunderstorm clouds. d. on the lee shore of the Great Lakes.
a
The idealized zonal pressure belts have low-pressure regions _______. a. at the equator and around 60 degrees north and south of the equator b. only along the equator c. around 30 and 60 degrees north and south of the equator d. between 30 and 60 degrees north and south of the equator e. at the North and South Poles
a
The polar jet stream is located _______. a. near the tropopause between the Ferrel and polar cells b. near the tropopause between the Hadley and Ferrel cells c. near the surface between the Hadley and Ferrel cells d. near the surface between the Ferrel and polar cells e. near the tropopause above the equator
a
The typical amount of time it takes for an air mass to pass over a given area is on the order of a few: a. days. b. weeks. c. months. d. hours. e. minutes.
a
The wave-like or meandering pattern of the upper level winds in middle latitudes is of major importance for: a. transporting heat between equator and poles. b. causing jet streams. c. reducing the Coriolis effect. d. causing westerly winds. e. reducing wind speeds in the tropics.
a
There are three primary conditions needed to form an ordinary thunderstorm. Which condition is required to form a severe thunderstorm, but is not required to form an ordinary thunderstorm? a. vertical wind shear b. lifting mechanism c. warm, humid air d. unstable atmosphere
a
Thunderstorms and large cumulonimbus clouds are characteristic of: a. unstable air. b. isothermal lapse rates. c. stable air. d. all polar air masses.
a
Updrafts dominate the cumulonimbus cloud during the ________ in the life cycle of an air mass thunderstorm. a. cumulus stage b. mature stage c. dissipating stage
a
When a cP air mass travels from northern Canada across the Great Lakes in early Autumn, it becomes __________. a. warmer and more humid b. colder and more humid c. colder and less humid d. warmer and less humid
a
Which air mass type is generally found on the poleward side of a midlatitude cyclone? a. cP b. mP c. mT d. cT e. mA
a
Which of the following criteria is NOT a characteristic of a good source region? a. The area must frequently experience cyclones. b. It must have uniform physical features. c. It must be very large. d. The air must able to stagnate over the area for long periods of time.
a
Which scenario below describes the life cycle of an ordinary thunderstorm? a. A thermal rises to form a cloud. Rain starts to fall into the updraft. This rain eventually cuts off the updraft and causes the storm to die. b. The downdraft strengthens as the thermal rises. This downdraft eventually drags all the rain out of the cloud, causing it to dissipate. c. Rain begins to fall from the cloud. A thermal rises to strengthen the cloud. Eventually the thermal stops rising and the storm dissipates. d. Rain begins to fall from the cloud. A thermal rises so fast that it prevents the rain from falling. This eventually causes the cloud to dissipate.
a
Which type of storm has an updraft that rotates? a. supercell thunderstorm b. mesoscale convective complex c. ordinary (air-mass) thunderstorm d. squall line
a
Why are maritime air masses from the north Atlantic of only limited concern for weather in the U.S.? a. Prevailing winds move them away from the U.S. b. Polar fronts block these air masses from the U.S. c. Temperatures are usually mild over this region. d.Question is incorrect; these air masses are very important. e. They never cause severe storms.
a
"Heat lightning": a. is also called "ball lightning." b. is regular lightning occurring more than 20 kilometers from the person observing it. c. is brighter than ordinary lightning. d. is actually a display of the northern lights.
b
"Lake-effect" snow is associated with the ________ air mass. a. mP b. cP c. cT d. mT
b
A warm front is said to exist when: a. warm air pushes underneath cold air. b. advancing warm air overrides retreating cold air. c. invading cold air pushes underneath warmer air. d. moving cold air overrides warmer air.
b
El Niño circulation is characterized by _______. a. low surface pressure near Australia b. warming off the coast of Ecuador c. stronger than normal upwelling d. high surface pressure near Ecuador e. stronger trade winds
b
If a large body of air has a high temperature and a low relative humidity, then the air mass is called _______. a. continental arctic (cA) b. continental tropical (cT) c. continental polar (cP) d. maritime polar (mP) e. maritime tropical (mT)
b
Most mP air masses that influence the U.S. originate over: a. the Gulf of Mexico. b. the north Pacific. c. the north Atlantic. d. the Arctic Ocean.
b
Most of the United States is situated in which zone of prevailing winds? a. subpolar easterlies b. westerlies c. trade winds d. doldrums e. northerlies
b
Of the following states, which is struck by the largest number of tornadoes? a. North Dakota b. Oklahoma c. Ohio d. North Carolina e. New Mexico
b
Rain long foretold, long last; short notice, soon past. The FIRST FIVE words of this weather proverb: a. have no basis in fact. b. refer to a warm front. c. refer to an anticyclone. d. refer to a cold front. e. refer to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds.
b
Taken as a whole, the large scale or general circulation patterns of the atmosphere exist: a. as a cause of temperature contrasts. b. as nature's method of balancing heat energy differences. c. because of the earth's rotation. d. as a result of the different landforms on Earth's surface. e. as a result of Earth's motion through space.
b
The terms leader, flash, and stroke are used when describing: a. the stages of a thunderstorm. b. lightning. c. squall line formation. d. a tornado. e. the passage of a hurricane.
b
The trade winds are located _______. a. along the polar front b. in the same latitudinal range as the Hadley cell c. over most of the United States d. in the same latitudinal range as the polar cell e. in the same latitudinal range as the Ferrel cell
b
Weather conditions behind a cold front would be _______. a. cool and moist, with winds from the east b. cold and dry, with winds from the northwest c. warm and moist, with winds from the south d. warm and dry, with winds from the west
b
What is entrainment? a. a line of thunderstorms, one feeding into the next b. the process of cool, dry air being pulled into a thunderstorm by the downdraft c. rotation from the parent cloud transferring into a tornado d. warm, moist air fed into a thunderstorm by the updraft
b
Which of the following are examples of a microscale motion? a. motions that last from days to weeks b. motions that last from seconds to minutes c. ocean currents d. motions that last from hours to days e. midlatitude cyclones and anticyclones
b
Which of the following lists the stages of the mid-latitude cyclone life cycle in the proper order? a. open-wave, occlusion, cyclogenesis, dissipation b. cyclogenesis, open-wave, occlusion, dissipation c. cyclogenesis, open-wave, dissipation, occlusion d. occlusion, dissipation, open-wave, cyclogenesis
b
Which of the following statements is not true of tornadoes? a. generally move from the southwest toward the northeast b. usually occur along the warm front of a midlatitude cyclone c. associated with cumulonimbus clouds d. occur most frequently in the spring of the year
b
Which of these winds is not influenced very much by the Coriolis effect? a. mid latitude westerlies b. sea breeze c. jet stream d. Northeast trades
b
Which statement describes a way that ocean currents influence climate? a. Warm ocean currents decrease the absolute humidity in the air. b. Cold ocean currents decrease the absolute humidity in the air. c. Warm ocean currents cool the nearby region. d. Cold ocean currents warm the nearby region.
b
Why is very humid air near the surface a necessary ingredient for severe thunderstorms? a. Lapse rates are larger in humid air. b. More latent heat is then available as energy for the storm. c. High humidity makes the rising air cool more rapidly. d. High humidity strengthens the cold front. e. High humidity makes the air more dense.
b
________ are relatively narrow, elongated bands of thunderstorms that develop in the warm sector of a middle-latitude cyclone, usually in advance of a cold front. a. Mesocyclones b. Squall lines c. Supercells d. Roll clouds
b
A dryline causes uplift to occur because: a. the intruding air mass has the same low humidity as the lifted air mass. b. the intruding air mass is colder and more humid than the lifted air mass. c. the lifted air mass is moister than the intruding air mass. d. the lifted air mass is dryer than the intruding air mass.
c
A roll cloud forms in association with which other common thunderstorm feature? a. the updraft b. the precipitation c. the gust front d. the anvil
c
A squall line is most likely to develop where? a. along a warm front b. in the middle of a cP air mass c. along a dryline in the warm sector of a mid-latitude cyclone d. along a cold front
c
Air masses with cA and cP designations are typically: a. conditionally unstable. b. absolutely unstable. c. stable.
c
Air-mass source regions are LEAST likely to exist in: a. equatorial regions. b. polar regions. c. middle-latitude regions. d. subtropical regions.
c
Although the idealized version of Earth features continuous pressure belts that continue zonally around the planet, the real Earth has broken-up pressure cells that vary seasonally. What explains this? a. The intensity of incoming solar radiation varies radically along the same line of latitude. b. The effects of the Coriolis force vary seasonally. c. Large landmasses heat differently than oceans and interrupt the pressure pattern. d. The oceans experience drastic temperature changes from season to season.
c
An air mass moves out of its source region. Two days later, the lower layers of the air mass are found to be warmer than they were originally. What letter should be added to the end of the air mass's classification code? a. w b. c c. k d. m
c
An overshooting top means that: a. lightning strikes will be especially intense. b. the thunderstorm is dissipating. c. the thunderstorm has very strong updrafts causing the cloud to grow into the stratosphere. d. thunderstorm will definitely produce a tornado.
c
As an air mass travels over a region that is much colder, __________. a. its stability will decrease and there will probably be thunderstorms b. its stability will increase and there will probably be thunderstorms c. its stability will increase and there will probably be clear skies d. its stability will decrease and there will probably be clear skies
c
Concerning rainfall patterns, areas of persistent high pressure tend to cause: a. moderate rainfall. b. pronounced wet and dry seasons. c. desert regions. d. severe flooding.
c
During the summer season, the subtropical high found in the North Atlantic is also called the: a. Carolina high. b. Atlantic high. c. Bermuda high. d. Azores high.
c
If a large body of air has a high temperature and a high relative humidity, then the air mass is called _______. a. continental polar (cP) b. continental tropical (cT) c. maritime tropical (mT) d. maritime polar (mP) e. continental arctic (cA)
c
If a large body of air has a low temperature and a high relative humidity, then the air mass is called _______. a. continental polar (cP) b. maritime tropical (mT) c. maritime polar (mP) d. continental arctic (cA) e. continental tropical (cT)
c
In North America the ________ air mass forms only in the summer. a. mP b. mT c. cT d. cP
c
Middle-latitude cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere: a. are large high-pressure systems. b. travel from east to west. c. rotate counterclockwise. d. have cold fronts but not warm fronts.
c
On a weather map, a line with blue triangles on one side and red semicircles on the other represents: a. an occluded front. b. a cold front. c. a stationary front. d. a warm front.
c
The approximate lifetime of a wave cyclone is: a. 1 - 2 days. b. 10 - 24 hours. c. a few days to a week. d. a month. e. 10 - 14 days.
c
The cyclones and anticyclones of the midlatitudes are part of the ________ circulation. a. Hadley b. microscale c. synoptic or macroscale d. mesoscale e. trade wind
c
The doldrums are associated with what latitude(s)? a. the midlatitudes b. the Tropic of Cancer c. the equator d. the poles
c
The prevailing winds that blow from the horse latitudes toward the doldrums are called: a. polar easterlies. b. westerlies. c. trade winds. d. subtropical northerlies. e. southerlies.
c
The subpolar low (polar front) is: a. a zone where the trade winds of the two hemispheres meet. b. the boundary between frozen and liquid ocean. c. a zone where the polar easterlies and the westerlies converge. d. the forward edge of the antarctic ice cap.
c
Thunderstorms can be generated when a cT air mass meets an mT air mass and creates a frontal boundary called a: a. warm front. b. cold front. c. dryline. d. humidity front.
c
Weather conditions between the warm front and the cold front would be _______. a. warm and dry, with winds from the west b. cold and dry, with winds from the northwest c. warm and moist, with winds from the south d. cool and moist, with winds from the east
c
What does the term mesocyclone refer to in reference to a tornado? a. a false-alarm tornado warning b. a high-altitude tornado c. the rotation of the updraft in the parent thunderstorm d. a very large tornado
c
When an area is experiencing several consecutive days of rather constant weather, it is experiencing: a. occluded front weather. b. warm-front weather. c. air-mass weather. d. cold-front weather.
c
When the center of a mature wave cyclone passes to the south, you should expect: a. rising pressure and fair weather. b. to experience a veering wind shift. c. winds shifting from east to north and heavy precipitation. d. thunderstorms.
c
Where do most cyclones form? a. East Coast (United States) b. Southwest (United States) and northern Mexico c. east side of the Rocky Mountains and western Canada d. Midwest (United States) e. West Coast (United States)
c
Which current is responsible for transporting heat across the north Atlantic and moderating the climate of Western Europe? a. The Canary Current b. The Labrador Current c. The North Atlantic Drift d. The Greenland Current
c
Which of the following air masses probably has the lowest water vapor content? a. cE b. cP c. cA d. cT
c
Which region of origin for mT air masses has the most impact on North American weather? a. mT air masses from the Northern Pacific b. mT air masses from the subtropical Pacific. c. mT air masses from the Gulf of Mexico d. mT air masses from Australia
c
Which statement best describes the force balance that leads to westerlies in the upper troposphere? a. The pressure gradient force starts the air moving toward the west and the Coriolis force increases its speed. b. The pressure gradient force starts the air moving toward the higher pressure and the Coriolis force turns this wind to the left in the Northern Hemisphere. c. The pressure gradient force starts the air moving toward the lower pressure and the Coriolis force turns this wind to the right in the Northern Hemisphere. d. The pressure gradient force starts the air moving toward the higher pressure and the Coriolis force turns this wind to the right in the Northern Hemisphere. e. The pressure gradient force starts the air moving toward the lower pressure and the Coriolis force turns this wind to the left in the Northern Hemisphere.
c
Why are air mass thunderstorms most likely to occur in the midafternoon? a. Upper-level winds are too fast at night and in morning. b. Water-vapor contents are too low at night. c. Atmosphere is most unstable at that time. d. It takes all day for them to mature.
c
Why are cT air masses of minor importance for the U.S.? a. Upper level subsidence limits their formation. b. Prevailing winds steer them away. c. No large source region is near the U.S. d. Mountains block their approach
c
A large body of air near the surface with nearly uniform properties (temperature, humidity, and stability) is called _______. a. a front b. a midlatitude cyclone c. a low-pressure system d. an air mass e. a monsoon
d
A primary factor causing monsoon circulations is: a. waves in the westerlies. b. mountain ranges. c. ocean currents. d. greater temperature changes over continents compared to oceans. e. Coriolis effect.
d
Air masses form in conditions that have __________. a. strong wind and low pressure b. strong winds and high pressure c. light wind and low pressure d. light wind and high pressure
d
Another name for the subtropical high is: a. prevailing westerlies. b. doldrums. c. subpolar calm. d. horse latitudes. e. trades.
d
How is global climate change expected to impact thunderstorm activity in the United States over the next century? a. More thunderstorms will occur in every state of the nation. b. Thunderstorm days are expected to decrease in the Southeastern United States. c. Climate change will have no definable impact on thunderstorm days. d. The environment necessary for severe thunderstorms will occur on more days for most locations east of the Rockies.
d
If a large body of air has a low temperature and a low relative humidity, then the air mass is called _______. a. maritime polar (mP) b. continental tropical (cT) c. maritime tropical (mT) d. continental polar (cP)
d
In which of the following places are thunderstorms most common? a. northern Wisconsin b. central Nevada c. west of Hudson Bay (Canada) d. central Florida e. The occurrence of thunderstorms at all of these places should be about the same.
d
The Southern Oscillation: a. does not have the ability to drastically alter climate, and is of little concern. b. is another name for a La Niña event. c. is more important to weather in the United States than anywhere else in the world. d. is a cycle of strengthening and reversing trade winds in the equatorial Pacific.
d
The ________ air mass often originates as a different air mass in Siberia and is subsequently altered. a. cP b. mT c. cT d. mP
d
The ________ is characterized by a strong jet stream pulling mT air from Hawaii towards California. a. Southeaster b. Santa Ana Wind c. Tropical Jet d. Pineapple Express
d
The cP air-mass in North America originates in: a. Siberia. b. the Arctic basin. c. the North Atlantic. d. interior Alaska and Canada. e. Greenland.
d
The leading edge of a gust front is frequently associated with: a. tornadoes. b. heavy precipitation. c. hail. d. the development of a new cumulonimbus cloud.
d
The maritime tropical air mass that influences weather in Chicago, IL typically originates from __________. a. the desert southwest of the United States b. Canada c. the north Atlantic Ocean d. the Gulf of Mexico e. the north Pacific Ocean
d
The more violent nature of weather produced by a cold front can be attributed to which two factors? a. the steep slope and slow forward motion of the front b. the gradual slope and fast forward motion of the front c. the gradual slope and slow forward motion of the front d. the steep slope and fast forward motion of the front
d
Thunderstorm tops most likely occur: a. in the lower troposphere. b. in the middle stratosphere. c. in the mesosphere. c. near the tropopause.
d
When an air mass is warmer than the surface over which it is moving: a. visibility within the air mass is usually very good. b. the letter k is added after the air mass symbol. c. the lapse rate in the air mass is increased. d. the air becomes more stable.
d
Which of the following is true about Hadley's original model of global atmospheric circulation? a. There are three cells: the Hadley cell, the Ferrel cell, and the polar cell. b. This model predicts the trade winds, westerlies, and polar easterlies. c. This model explains most of the large-scale motion observed on Earth. d. There is rising air at the equator and sinking air at the poles. e. This model can exist on a rotating planet.
d
Which of the following statements is true about the real-world semi-permanent pressure systems on Earth? a. The Northern Hemisphere is closer to the idealized zonal pressure pattern than the Southern Hemisphere. b. The January and July global pressure patterns look exactly the same. c. The ITCZ is located at the equator regardless of season. d. The ITCZ moves toward the summer hemisphere as seasons change. e. High-pressure centers are always located 30 degrees north or south of the equator.
d
Which of the following would be the most prominent feature on the January pressure map? a. the thermal low over Southeast Asia b. the Arizonan thermal low c. the Bermuda high d. the Siberian high
d
Why do most tornadoes in the central U.S. occur during the spring months? a. Solar energy is a maximum. b. Divergence of air aloft is greatest. c. Upper-air temperatures are warmest. d. Air-mass contrasts are greatest. e. Surface air is most humid.
d
Why does occlusion lead to the demise of a mid-latitude cyclone? a. The cold front stops progressing during occlusion. b. The mT air mass has cooled through air mass modification. c. The cold cP air mass driving the cyclone has warmed intensely. d. All of the warm air has been lifted aloft.
d
Winds are usually named for: a. the altitude where they are strongest. b. the approximate latitude of their origin. c. the direction or place to which they are heading. d. the direction or place from which they are blowing.
d