Deck 10: Wind - Global Systems

Question 1

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

Answer 1

B

Question 2

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.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

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

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Incorporating continents into the single-cell model would not have any effect on the circulation of air in the model.

Question 5

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

Question 6

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 7

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

Question 8

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

Question 9

Jet streams sometimes split into two branches.

Question 10

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

Question 11

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 12

Not all jet streams form at the tropopause.

Question 13

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 14

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

Question 15

​Which below 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 16

​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.

Question 17

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

Question 18

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

Question 19

​​Pilots prefer to fly in the core of a jet stream.

Question 20

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

Question 21

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° latitude.
C) ​the equator and 60° latitude.
D) ​30° latitude and 60° latitude.
E) ​30° latitude and the poles.

Question 22

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 23

The world's deserts are found at 30° 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 24

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° latitude.
C) ​30° latitude and 60° latitude.
D) ​30° latitude and 60° latitude.
E) ​30° latitude and the polar regions.

Question 25

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 26

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 27

At Barrow, Alaska (latitude 70°N), you would expect the prevailing wind to be​

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

Question 28

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

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

Question 29

​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 U.S.
E) ​it forms during the summer months.

Question 30

​Chicago, Illinois (latitude 42°N) is located in the

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

Question 31

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 32

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 33

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 34

The jet stream flows​

A) ​directly from west to east.
B) ​directly from east to west.
C) ​from the equator towards the north pole.
D) ​in a wavy pattern from west to east.
E) ​from the equator towards the south pole.

Question 35

​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 36

​A thermally direct cell is one that

A) ​is found in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
B) ​is driven by radiational cooling.
C) ​occurs on both sides of a large lake or ocean.
D) ​is driven by energy from the Sun.
E) ​represents the middle cell in the three-cell model.

Question 37

​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 38

​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 39

​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) ​monsoon low
B) ​Pacific high
C) ​thermal low
D) ​Aleutian low
E) ​Bermuda high

Question 40

In Honolulu, Hawaii (latitude 21°N), you would most likely experience winds blowing from the​

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

Question 41

In the Northern Hemisphere, air found to the north of the polar front is ____, while air further south is ____.​

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

Question 42

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 43

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 44

​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 45

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 46

During a major El Niño event,​

A) ​Peruvian fishermen harvest a record amount of fish near Christmas time.
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 47

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

A) ​El Nino event.
B) ​polar jet stream.
C) ​Gulf Stream.
D) ​Labrador current.
E) ​Ekman spiral.

Question 48

The cold water observed along the northern California coast in summer is due mainly to​

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

Question 49

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 50

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 51

Generally, in the Northern Hemisphere during July, we would expect to find the tropical easterly jet stream​

A) ​north of the polar front.
B) ​north of the upper-level subtropical high.
C) ​directly over the polar front.
D) ​south of the upper-level subtropical high.
E) ​in the upper stratosphere.

Question 52

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 53

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 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

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 56

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) ​Humbolt Current.
C) ​Benguela Current.
D) ​El Niño.
E) ​La Niña.

Question 57

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 58

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 LabradorCurrent.
D) ​North Atlantic Drift and Canary Current.
E) ​North Atlantic Drift and Gulf Stream.

Question 59

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 60

For upwelling to occur on the East Coast of the U.S., winds flowing from the ____ have to exist.​

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

Question 61

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 62

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

Question 63

____________________ momentum is defined as the product of the mass (m) times the velocity (v) times the radial distance (r).​

Question 64

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

Question 65

The Southern Hemisphere has ____________________ semipermanent lows than the Northern Hemisphere.​

Question 66

The El Nino 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 67

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 ____________________.​

Question 68

The average winds aloft are strongest in ____________________.​

Question 69

The subtropical jet stream is usually found between​

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

Question 70

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 71

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 72

Straight-line momentum-called ____________________-is the product of the mass of the object times its velocity.​

Question 73

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

Question 74

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

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

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 77

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

Question 78

Ocean-atmosphere interactions, where warm or cold surface ocean temperatures can influence precipitation patterns in a distant part of the world, are called ____________________.​

Question 79

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 80

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