chapters 7

Chinook winds, land-sea breezes and santa ana winds are examples of ______ circulations: a) microscale b) vortex c) synoptic d) macrosacle e) mesoscale

e) mesoscale

the divergence near the ground that is associated with the subtropical high pressure zone can be cited as the origin of: a) polar easterlies b) jet streams c) cyclogenesis d) sea breeze e) trade winds

e) trade winds

the term "hadley cell" applies to: a) 0 degrees to 30 degrees latitude b) the whole atmosphere c) 30 degrees to 60 degrees latitude d) 60 degrees to 90 degrees latitude e) the poles and the equator

a) 0 degrees to 30 degrees latitude

the region where the north east trades meet the south east trades is known as the: a) ITCZ b) hot zone c) high latitude d) subtropics

a) ITCZ

microscale winds generally last for: a) a few seconds b) 1 to 2 hours c) 1 to 2 days d) 3 days or longer

a) a few seconds

the sub polar low (polar front) is a) a zone where the polar easterlies and the westerlies converge b) a one where the trade winds of the two hemispheres meet c) the boundary between frozen and liquid ocean d) the forward edge of the antarctic ice cap

a) a zone where the polar easterlies and the westerlies converge

taken as a whole, the large scale or general circulation patters of the atmosphere exist: a) as natures method of balancing heat energy differences b) as a result of earths motion through space c) because of the earths rotation d) as a cause of temperature contrasts e) as a result of the different landforms on earths surface

a) as natures method of balancing heat energy differences

concerning rainfall patterns, areas of persistence high pressure tend to cause a) desert regions b) pronounced wet and dry seasons c) severe flooding d) moderate rainfall

a) desert regions

why do westerly winds prevail at upper altitudes a) rotation of the earth b) lower air density c) absence of friction d) rotation of the earth and equator to pole temperature contrast

a) rotation of the earth

which of the following statements about airflow in the middle and upper troposphere is true? a) the flow is west- to-east throughout the midlatitudes b) the predominant flow is easterly in the midlatitudes and westerly in the tropics c) the flows is predominantly from the poles toward the equator d) the predominant flow is from the equator poleward

a) the flow is west to east throughout the midlatitudes

the primary force causing ocean currents a) the major winds b) temperature differences between cold water below and warm water above c) the current carrying cold water from the North Pole along the west coast of the US d) the earth elliptical orbit around the sun

a) the major winds

During the day, mountainous regions tend to experience a ________, while at night they experience ________. a) valley breeze; mountain breeze b) mountain breeze; valley breeze c) valley breeze; valley breeze d) mountain breeze; mountain breeze

a) valley breeze; mountain breeze

the prevailing winds that tend to influence cities such as Chicago and New York City are: a) westerlies b) polar easterlies c) doldrums d) trade winds e) southerlies

a) westerlies

Souther Oscillation a) is a cycle of strengthening and waking pressure patterns in the equatorial pacific b) is another name for la Nina c) does not have the ability to alter climate d) is more important to weather in the US than anywhere else

a)is a cycle of strengthening and waking pressure patterns in the equatorial pacific

the gulf stream is the names given to a) the circulation of water in Gulf of Mexico b) a warm current carrying water from the equator along the east coast of the United States c) the current carrying cold water from the North Pole along the west coast d) a counter-clockwise surface current in the gulf of California

b

what option below best characterizes the rainfall distribution at a station located along the equator? a) summer dry season b) adequate precipitation all year around c) dry all year around d) winter dry season

b) adequate precipitation all year around

surface high pressure zones are usually associated with a) ascending air b) clear or nearly clear weather c) converging winds d) stormy weather

b) clear or nearly clear weather

a primary factor causing monsoon circulations is: a) mountain ranges b) greater temperature changes over continents compared to oceans c) waves in the westerlies d) ocean currents

b) greater temperature changes over continents compared to ocean

El Nino events are characterized by a) strengthening of the NE trade winds b) ver strong cold current flowing along easter edge of South America c) warm water piling up near Indonesia d) pooling of unusually warm water in eastern tropical pacific

d)pooling of unusually warm water in eastern tropical pacific

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 effects of the coriolis force vary seasonally b) large landmasses heat differently than oceans and interrupt the pressure platform c) the oceans experience drastic temperature changes from season to season d) the intensity of incoming solar radiation varies radically along the same line of latitude

b) large landmasses heat differently than oceans and interrupt the pressure pattern

Jet streams are a) are usually about 10 miles wide b) occur near tropopause c) were first detected by George Hadley d) reverse direction 180 degrees in summer

b) occur near tropopause

winds are usually names for: a) the direction or place to which they are heading b) the direction or place from which they are blowing c) the approximate latitude of their origin d) the altitude where they are the strongest

b) the direction or place from which they are blowing

the doldrums are associated with what latitudes? a) the tropic of cancer b) the equator c) the midlatitudes d) the poles

b) the equator

the wave-like or meandering pattern of upper level winds in middle latitudes is of major importance for a) reducing wind speeds in the tropics b) transporting heat between equator and poles c) reducing the coriolis effect d) causing westerly winds

b) transporting heat between equator and poles

when are upper air winds fastest a) anytime surface temperature gradients are weak b) in summer c) in winter d) these winds maintain about the same speed throughout the year

c) in winter

a monsoon is defined by a: a) a rainy season b) torrential rainfall c) large seasonal changes in wind direction d) moisture-laden air

c) large seasonal changes in wind direction

jet streams are associated with fronts because of the a) higher pressure behind the front b) reduced friction above the front c) large temperature gradient d) clouds forming there

c) large temperature gradient

the areas of abundant rainfall on the earth tends to be: a) in midlatitudes b) in polar regions c) near the equator and in midlatitudes d) near the equator

c) near the equator and in midlatitudes

most of the earths deserts are located in the: a) boundary between liquid and frozen oceans b) trade wind belt c) subsidence areas of subtropical highs d) areas along the polar front

c) subsidence areas of subtropical highs

the amount of precipitation received at a given location is primarily controlled by: a) overnight temperatures b) the solar energy budget c) the humidity of the air at that place d) near the equator

c) the humidity of the air at that place

the prevailing winds that blow from the horse latitudes toward the doldrums are called: a) subtropical northerlies b) westerlies c) trade winds d) polar easterlies e) southerlies

c) trade winds

the process that brings cold, nutrient rich, water to the surface along coasts of peru and Ecuador a) thermocline suppression b) el nino c) upwelling d) souther oscillation

c) upwelling

according to the idealized three-cell model of the atmosphere, most of the United States is situated in which zone of prevailing winds? a) doldrums b) trade winds c) westerlies d) subpolar easterlies

c) westerlies

the greater strength of polar jet stream winds during the winter is due to a) warm temperatures at high altitudes b) lower humidity c) stronger coriolis effect d) greater horizontal temperature contrasts

d) greater horizontal temperature contrasts

Planetary scale flow such as trade-winds are best classified as: a) microscale b) mesoscale c) synoptic d) macroscale

d) macro scale