Deck 8: Wind Systems

Question 1

Suppose a west wind of 20 knots blows over a coastal region which is densely covered in shrubs.If this same wind moves out over the middle of a large calm lake,its speed and direction would probably be:

A)greater than 20 knots and more northwesterly.
B)less than 20 knots and more northwesterly.
C)greater than 20 knots and more southwesterly.
D)less than 20 knots and more southwesterly.
E)less than 20 knots and westerly.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

At Barrow,Alaska (latitude 70^o N),you would expect the prevailing wind to be:

A)northerly.
B)easterly.
C)southerly.
D)westerly.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Surface winds are generally strongest and most gusty:

A)in the afternoon.
B)in the early morning.
C)around midnight.
D)just after sunset.
E)just before sunrise.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

In terms of the three-cell general circulation model,the driest regions of the earth should be near:

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

Question 5

During the summer in humid climates,nighttime clouds tend to form over water during a:

A)land breeze.
B)chinook wind.
C)sea breeze.
D)Santa Ana wind.

Question 6

The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)is a region where:

A)the polar front meets the subtropical high.
B)northeast trades meet 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 7

On the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains,chinook winds are driest when:

A)clouds form and precipitation falls on the upwind side of the mountains.
B)the air aloft is cold.
C)the sun is shining.
D)the winds are blowing from the east.
E)surface friction is greatest on the downwind side of the mountain.

Question 8

Cumulus clouds that appear above isolated mountain peaks are often the result of:

A)katabatic winds.
B)mountain winds.
C)fall winds.
D)Santa Ana winds.
E)valley breezes.

Question 9

Generally,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 10

Which of the following conditions favor the development of dust devils?

A)hot,moist days
B)hot,dry days
C)cold,moist days
D)cold,dry days

Question 11

A valley breeze would develop its maximum strength:

A)at sunrise.
B)in early afternoon.
C)about an hour after sunset.
D)about midnight.

Question 12

A westerly wind means that the atmosphere:

A)would act to decrease the rotation of the earth.
B)is moving faster than the earth spins.
C)is moving slower than the earth spins.
D)is moving as fast as the earth rotates.

Question 13

The wind's speed generally increases with height above the earth's surface because:

A)only the lowest layer of air rotates with the earth.
B)air temperature normally decreases with height.
C)wind instruments are not accurate at the earth's surface.
D)friction with the earth's surface slows the air near the ground.
E)air parcels expand and become less dense as they rise above the surface.

Question 14

Which below does not describe the polar front jet stream?

A)is strongest in winter
B)moves farther south in winter
C)forms near the boundary called the polar front
D)is normally found at a higher elevation than the subtropical jet

Question 15

Which below would not be considered an onshore wind?

A)sea breeze
B)Santa Ana wind
C)lake breeze
D)none of the above

Question 16

Low pressure becomes best developed over the Asian continent in:

A)summer.
B)winter.
C)fall.
D)spring.

Question 17

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 US are much colder than on the West.
Coast of the US

Question 18

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

A)westerlies
B)easterlies
C)northerlies
D)trades
E)southerlies

Question 19

In south Florida the prevailing winds are northeasterly.Because of this,the strongest sea breeze is usually observed on Florida's __________ coast,and the strongest land breeze on Florida's __________ coast.

A)east,west
B)west,east
C)west,west
D)east,east

Question 20

In Honolulu,Hawaii (latitude 21^o N),you would most likely experience winds blowing from the:

A)northeast.
B)south.
C)southwest.
D)northwest.

Question 21

An extremely strong downslope wind that occurs in parts of Antarctica would be considered a Santa Ana wind.

Question 22

Santa Ana winds warm by compression as they flow down an elevated desert plateau.

Question 23

During some years,the northern hemisphere has more than 10 semipermanent highs and lows.

Question 24

Would you expect chinook winds to form more often on the eastern or the western slopes of a north-south oriented mountain range in the mid-latitudes?

Question 25

Would you expect a well-developed sea breeze circulation to cause clouds to form over the land or over the ocean?

Question 26

Chicago,Illinois (latitude 42^oN)is located in the northeast trades.

Question 27

How might a knowledge of the direction of the prevailing wind at a given location be used in landscape design or the design of an energy efficient home?

Question 28

What is meant by the term monsoon wind system? How is this wind system different from a land-sea breeze?

Question 29

Briefly sketch or describe the conditions that lead to the formation of a Santa Ana wind.Is the Santa Ana wind dry or moist,warm or cold?

Question 30

You are hiking on a mountain trail at sunrise when you smell the smoke from cooking bacon.You can't see where the smoke is coming from.Would you expect the camp to be above you or below you on the mountain? Explain.

Question 31

Summertime weather forecasts for cities on the shores of the Great Lakes often contain the phrase "cooler near the lake".Explain the relevance of this phrase.

Question 32

The wind belt found on the poleward side of the polar front is called the doldrums.

Question 33

The summer monsoon in eastern and southern Asia is characterized by dry weather and winds blowing from land to sea.

Question 34

The jet stream flows in a wavy pattern from east to west.

Question 35

Explain how Florida's sea breezes can increase the potential for wildfires.

Question 36

A sea breeze circulation will reverse direction and become a land breeze once per day.

Question 37

Draw a sketch to show where eddies can form when air blows rapidly over a mountain range.Show on your sketch where you might expect clouds to form.How would these clouds appear when viewed from the ground?

Question 38

Will a valley breeze or a mountain breeze produce clouds? Explain.

Question 39

A sea or land breeze is caused by temperature differences.

Question 40

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

Question 41

Areas along the shores of the Great Lakes often experience a lake breeze circulation.Are these winds different than those associated with a sea breeze circulation? Explain.