Deck 10: Wind: Global Systems

Question 1

Due to Hadley cell formation and the Coriolis force in both hemispheres, winds aloft flow ____.

A)easterly
B)westerly
C)northerly
D)southerly
E)randomly

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The general circulation of the atmosphere represents the actual air flow around the world and not just an average.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The single-cell model is more reflective of real-world wind patterns than the three-cell model is.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

In the three-cell model of the atmosphere, upper level winds are incorrectly predicted to flow from ____.

A)the north
B)the east
C)the south
D)the west
E)all directions

Question 5

Which is an assumption of the single-cell model of the general circulation of the atmosphere?

A)Earth's surface is uniformly covered with water.
B)Earth rotates once in 24 hours.
C)Excessive heating of the equatorial area produces a broad region of surface high pressure, while at the poles excessive cooling creates a region of surface low pressure.
D)Prevailing winds in middle latitudes blow from east to west.
E)The regions over the poles are referred to as doldrums.

Question 6

During the warm (or positive)phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, unusually cold surface water exists along the west coast of North America, whereas over the central North Pacific, warmer-than-normal surface water prevails.

Question 7

The ultimate cause of jet streams is the energy imbalance that exists between high and low latitudes.

Question 8

Each Pacific Decadal Oscillation phase tends to predominate for 20 to 30 years before switching to the other phase.

Question 9

Not all jet streams form at the tropopause.

Question 10

A jet stream transfers more heat across the globe when it is zonal.

Question 11

Jet streams sometimes split into two branches.

Question 12

The large thermally driven convection cell that is driven by convective "hot" towers along the equator is the ____.

A)Ferrel cell
B)Hadley cell
C)Ekman spiral
D)El Niño cell
E)Doldrum cell

Question 13

An increase in either the mass or the velocity (or both)produces a decrease in momentum.

Question 14

Major ocean currents in the North Indian Ocean reverse direction between summer and winter.

Question 15

The polar front is a boundary separating the cold polar air to the north from the warm subtropical air to the south, hence the greatest contrast in air temperature occurs along the frontal zone. Therefore, the polar front has a lot of influence on the development of the polar jet stream.

Question 16

The Arctic Oscillation is defined by variations in atmospheric pressure between the Arctic and the North Pacific and Atlantic.

Question 17

At any given time, only one jet stream can be found in the atmosphere.

Question 18

The polar front jet stream can affect weather as far south as Florida and Mexico.

Question 19

In the general circulation of the atmosphere, one would find the region called the doldrums at the equator.

Question 20

The formation of the tropical easterly jet stream appears to be, at least in part, related to the cooling of air over large elevated landmasses, such as Tibet.

Question 21

In the Northern Hemisphere, the polar jet stream is strongest when ____.

A)air north of the polar front is much colder than air south of the polar front
B)air north of the polar front is much warmer than air south of the polar front
C)air temperatures on opposite sides of the polar front are about equal
D)air temperatures on the East Coast of the United States are much colder than on its West Coast
E)it forms during the summer months

Question 22

Near the equator, the northeast trades converge with the southeast trades to form the ____.

A)Pacific high and the Bermuda high
B)prevailing westerlies
C)horse latitudes
D)intertropical convergence zone
E)subtropical trades convergence zone

Question 23

In Honolulu, Hawaii (latitude 21 degrees N), you would most likely experience winds blowing from the ____.

A)northeast
B)south
C)southwest
D)northwest
E)west

Question 24

The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)is a region where ____.

A)the polar front meets the subtropical high.
B)northeast trades converge with the southeast trades.
C)northeast trades converge with the subtropical high.
D)the Ferrel cell converges with the Hadley cell.
E)polar easterlies converge with the air at the doldrums.

Question 25

In terms of the three-cell general circulation model, the driest regions of Earth should be near ____.

A)the equator and the polar regions.
B)the equator and 30 degrees latitude.
C)30 degrees latitude and 60 degrees latitude.
D)30 degrees latitude and 60 degrees latitude.
E)30 degrees latitude and the polar regions.

Question 26

Which statement describes the subtropical jet stream?

A)It forms along the polar front.
B)It generally blows from west to east.
C)It is found at the mesopause.
D)It is normally located poleward of the polar front jet stream.
E)Its wind speeds go up 100 knots.

Question 27

Chicago, Illinois (latitude 42 degrees N)is located in the ____.

A)northeast trades
B)southeast trades
C)westerlies
D)doldrums
E)jet stream

Question 28

The position of the Pacific high over the North Pacific Ocean shifts ____ in winter and ____ in summer.

A)northward; southward
B)southward; northward
C)eastward; westward
D)westward; eastward
E)northward; westward

Question 29

In the three-cell model, the wind belt observed on the poleward side of the polar front is called the ____.

A)polar easterlies
B)prevailing westerlies
C)northeast trades
D)doldrums
E)polar westerlies

Question 30

On a weather map of the Northern Hemisphere, the trade winds would be observed ____.

A)north of the polar front
B)between the polar front and the subtropical highs
C)south of the subtropical highs
D)between the subpolar lows and the subtropical highs
E)between the subpolar lows and the tropical highs

Question 31

In terms of the three-cell model of the general circulation, areas of surface low pressure should be found at ____.

A)the equator and the poles
B)the equator and 30 degrees latitude
C)the equator and 60 degrees latitude
D)30 degrees latitude and 60 degrees latitude
E)30 degrees latitude and the poles

Question 32

On a weather map of the Northern Hemisphere, one would observe the westerlies ____.

A)north of the subpolar lows
B)south of the tropical highs
C)between the doldrums and the horse latitudes
D)between the subpolar lows and the subtropical highs
E)between the polar lows and the doldrums

Question 33

The jet stream flows ____.

A)directly from west to east
B)directly from east to west
C)from the equator toward the North Pole
D)in a wavy pattern from west to east
E)from the equator towards the South Pole

Question 34

In general and based on the three-cell model, along the polar front one would not expect to observe

A)temperatures on one side lower than on the other side.
B)an elongated region of lower pressure.
C)clouds and precipitation.
D)converging surface air.
E)sinking air aloft.

Question 35

At Barrow, Alaska (latitude 70 degrees N), you would expect the prevailing wind to be ____.

A)northerly
B)easterly
C)southerly
D)westerly
E)northeasterly

Question 36

According to the three-cell general circulation model, at the equator we would not expect to find ____.

A)the ITCZ
B)a ridge of high pressure
C)thunderstorms
D)light winds
E)heavy showers

Question 37

Which of the following would NOT be an example of a thermal anticyclone pattern? On a surface weather map during the month of July, one would expect to find what type of pressure system over the desert southwest of the United States?

A)Siberian high
B)Pacific high
C)Aleutian high
D)Canadian high
E)Bermuda high

Question 38

The majority of the United States lies within this wind belt.

A)Westerlies
B)Easterlies
C)Northerlies
D)Trades
E)Southerlies

Question 39

Which statement describes the polar front jet stream?

A)It is strongest in summer.
B)It moves farther north in winter.
C)It forms near the boundary called the polar front.
D)It is normally found at a higher elevation than the subtropical jet.
E)It has lower wind speeds than the subtropical jet stream.

Question 40

The world's deserts are found at 30 degrees latitude because

A)the intertropical convergence zone is located there.
B)of the sinking air of the polar front.
C)of the convergence of the prevailing westerlies and the Northeast Trades.
D)of the sinking air of the subtropical highs.
E)of the doldrums.

Question 41

The low-level jet that forms over the Central Plains of the United States in the summer appears to be responsible for ____.

A)strong northerly winds
B)the development of El Niño
C)the onset of a chinook
D)the formation of a subtropical high-pressure area
E)nighttime thunderstorms

Question 42

Icebergs tend to move at right angles to the direction of the wind because of the ____.

A)El Niño event
B)polar jet stream
C)Gulf Stream
D)Labrador Current
E)Ekman spiral

Question 43

The Ekman Spiral describes ____.

A)the turning of water with depth
B)the air flow into a center of low pressure
C)the circulation of surface water around a gyre
D)the air flow out of a region of high pressure
E)the wind-flow pattern in a jet stream

Question 44

A condition where the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean turns cooler than normal is called ____.

A)El Niño
B)La Niña
C)the Southern Oscillation
D)the Ekman Spiral
E)upwelling

Question 45

The cold water observed along the northern California coast in summer is mainly a result of ____.

A)the California current
B)oceanic fronts
C)upwelling
D)cold air moving over the water
E)evaporation

Question 46

The reversal of the positions of surface high and low pressure at opposite ends of the Pacific Ocean is called ____.

A)El Niño
B)the Southern Oscillation
C)upwelling
D)La Niña
E)the Ekman Spiral

Question 47

Both the polar front jet stream and the subtropical jet stream are found at which level of the atmosphere?

A)The thermosphere
B)The mesopause
C)The mesosphere
D)The tropopause
E)In the upper stratosphere

Question 48

The name given to the current of warm water that replaces cold surface water along the coast of Peru and Ecuador during December is ____.

A)Brazil Current
B)Humboldt Current
C)Benguela Current
D)El Niño
E)La Niña

Question 49

The north-south temperature contrast along the polar front is strongest in ____ and weakest in ____.

A)spring; summer
B)summer; fall
C)fall; winter
D)spring; fall
E)winter; summer

Question 50

During the negative cold phase of the Arctic Oscillation, when Greenland is experiencing mild winters, northern Europe usually experiences ____ winters.

A)mild
B)warm
C)wet
D)snowy
E)cold

Question 51

During a major El Niño event, ____.

A)Peruvian fishers harvest a record amount of fish near Christmastime
B)extensive ocean warming occurs over the tropical Pacific
C)the Northeast trade winds increase in strength
D)California experiences severe drought conditions
E)the average surface air temperature of the entire planet decreases by several tenths of a degree Celsius

Question 52

El Niño events typically peak during which season in the Northern hemisphere?

A)Autumn
B)Winter
C)Spring
D)Summer
E)It varies with each El Niño event

Question 53

Upwelling occurs along the northern California coast because ____.

A)winds cause surface waters to move away from the coast
B)of seismic activity on the ocean bottom
C)of gravitational attraction between Earth and the Moon
D)water flows from the Atlantic Ocean into the Pacific because they are at different levels
E)of volcanic activity on the ocean floor

Question 54

If Earth's surface was homogeneous (either all land or all water), ____.

A)the semipermanent highs and lows would be stronger
B)the semipermanent highs and lows would be weaker
C)the semipermanent highs and lows would disappear altogether
D)the semipermanent highs and lows wouldn't change in intensity
E)the semipermanent highs and lows would have the same intensity, but would occur in different locations

Question 55

For upwelling to occur along the west coast of North America, winds flowing from the ____ have to exist.

A)east
B)west
C)sea
D)south
E)north

Question 56

The two ocean currents, warm and cold, that produce fog off the coast of Newfoundland are the ____.

A)Gulf Stream and Canary Current
B)Labrador Current and Canary Current
C)Gulf Stream and Labrador Current
D)North Atlantic Drift and Canary Current
E)North Atlantic Drift and Gulf Stream

Question 57

In the Northern Hemisphere, air found to the north of the polar front is ____, whereas air farther south is ____.

A)cold; warm
B)cold; cold
C)of moderate temperature; cold
D)warm; warm
E)of moderate temperature; warm

Question 58

As an air parcel aloft moves northward from the equator, it moves closer to Earth's axis of rotation. Because of the conservation of angular momentum, the air parcel's motion should ____.

A)remain constant
B)slow and eventually reverse direction
C)slow but continue in the same direction
D)increase in speed
E)decrease in speed

Question 59

Upwelling is ____.

A)the lifting of air along the polar front
B)the rising of cold water from below
C)increasing heights in an upper-level ridge
D)the rising air motion found in a low-pressure center
E)the lifting of ocean floor

Question 60

The ultimate cause of jet streams is ____.

A)the fact that water can exist in all three phases at once
B)ultraviolet energy from the Sun
C)the energy imbalance between high and low latitudes
D)the instream of cold waters from the poles
E)global warming

Question 61

The polar front jet stream is stronger in ____________________ than in ____________________.

Question 62

Ocean currents do not follow wind patterns exactly; rather, they spiral in semiclosed circular whirls called ____________________.

Question 63

Surface water temperatures along the northern California coast are ____________________ in winter than in summer.

Question 64

The ____ jet is known to show seasonal variations. In winter, the winds are stronger, and the jet moves farther south as the leading edge of the cold air can extend into subtropical regions, as far south as Florida and Mexico. In summer, the jet is weaker and is usually found over more northerly latitudes.

A)subtropical
B)tropical easterly
C)low-level
D)polar-front
E)nocturnal

Question 65

At the equator, Earth rotates toward the east at a speed close to 1000 knots. On a windless day, the air above moves ____ at ____ speed.

A)northward; faster
B)eastward; the same
C)southward; slower
D)westward; faster
E)eastward; slower

Question 66

Because of the larger frictional drag in water, ocean currents move ____ the prevailing winds above.

A)more slowly than
B)faster than
C)at the same speed as
D)in opposite direction to
E)perpendicular to

Question 67

Off the southeast coast of the United States, the _____________________ is a major semipermanent subtropical high that influences weather patterns in North America.

Question 68

Off the west coast of the United States, the _______________ is a major semipermanent subtropical high that influences weather patterns in North America.

Question 69

Areas over the ocean in which weak pressure gradients in the center of a high producing weak winds are commonly referred to as ________________ latitudes.

Question 70

Jet streams can form near Earth's surface as well. One such jet develops just above the central plains of the United States, where it occasionally attains speeds exceeding 60 knots. This wind speed maximum, which usually flows from the south or southwest, is known as a(n)____________________ jet.

Question 71

During a La Niña event, winters in the Pacific Northwest of the United States tend to be ________, winter in the southern part of the United States tends to be ________ than normal.

Question 72

The jet stream that forms in summer near the tropopause above Southeast Asia, India, and Africa is known as the ____ jet stream.

A)polar-front
B)tropical easterly
C)noctural
D)stratospheric polar night
E)low-level

Question 73

Flowing northward along the east coast of the United States is a tremendous warm water current called the ____________________.

Question 74

The El Niño event of 1972-1973, one of the first to be studied in depth, reduced the annual Peruvian anchovy catch by more than ____ percent.

A)10
B)20
C)30
D)40
E)50

Question 75

You are given an upper-level map that shows the position of two jet streams. You would be able to tell which is which, because the subtropical jet stream forms to the ____________________ of the polar-front jet.

Question 76

The El Niño event features a(n)____________________ of the typical east-to-west wind flow and ocean currents across the tropical Pacific. In contrast, La Niña features a(n)____________________ of the same east-to-west wind flow and ocean currents.

Question 77

The average winds aloft are strongest in ____________________.

Question 78

Most of the United States is located within the prevailing____________________ wind belt.

Question 79

The subtropical jet stream is usually found between ____.

A)0 degrees to 10 degrees latitude
B)10 degrees to 20 degrees latitude, 100-mb level
C)20 degrees to 30 degrees latitude, 200-mb level
D)30 degrees to 40 degrees latitude, 500-mb level
E)40 degrees to 50 degrees latitude, 1000-mb level

Question 80

The ____________________ is a boundary separating cold polar air to the north from warm subtropical air to the south, the greatest contrast in air temperature occurs along the ____________________.