Deck 7: Circulation of the Atmosphere

Question 1

What option below best characterizes the rainfall distribution at a station located on an island in the Arctic Ocean at about 80 degrees N latitude?

A) adequate precipitation all year around
B) summer dry season
C) winter dry season
D) dry all year around

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The greater strength of jet stream winds during winter is due to:

A) lower humidity.
B) greater air density.
C) warmer temperatures at high altitudes.
D) greater horizontal temperature contrasts.
E) stronger Coriolis effect.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which of these winds is NOT influenced very much by the Coriolis effect?

A) sea breeze
B) Northeast trades
C) mid latitude westerlies
D) jet stream

Answer 3

A

Question 4

When are upper air winds fastest?

A) in summer
B) anytime surface temperature gradients are weak
C) in winter
D) These winds maintain about the same speed throughout the year.

Question 5

The C in ITCZ stands for convergence. What does the convergence refer to?

A) surface winds in the mid latitudes
B) trade winds reaching the equator
C) winds aloft near the poles
D) surface winds in a monsoon

Question 6

Taken as a whole, the large scale or general circulation patterns of the atmosphere exist:

A) because of the earth's rotation.
B) as a cause of temperature contrasts.
C) as nature's method of balancing heat energy differences.
D) as a result of the different landforms on Earth's surface.
E) as a result of Earth's motion through space.

Question 7

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.

Question 8

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) pooling of unusually warm water in the eastern tropical Pacific.
D) warm water piling up near Indonesia.

Question 9

Large scale wind circulation systems that reverse with the seasons are called:

A) typhoons.
B) monsoons.
C) tropical anticyclones.
D) meridional cells.
E) tropical cyclones.

Question 10

The Southern Oscillation is an example of a____ , in which weather or sea surface temperatures in one part of the globe impact weather patterns in distant parts of the globe.

A) zonal weather link
B) Rossby wave
C) monsoon
D) teleconnection

Question 11

Urban heat islands induce:

A) foehn winds.
B) city breezes.
C) mistral winds.
D) country breezes.

Question 12

The wave- like or meandering pattern of the upper level winds in middle latitudes is of major importance for:

A) reducing wind speeds in the tropics.
B) causing jet streams.
C) reducing the Coriolis effect.
D) causing westerly winds.
E) transporting heat between equator and poles.

Question 13

The subpolar low (polar front) is:

A) the forward edge of the antarctic ice cap.
B) the boundary between frozen and liquid ocean.
C) a zone where the trade winds of the two hemispheres meet.
D) a zone where the polar easterlies and the westerlies converge.

Question 14

The Native American term chinook means:

A) cold sun.
B) snow eater.
C) big storm.
D) mountain wind.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a mesoscale wind?

A) a traveling anticyclone
B) a sea breeze
C) waves in the westerlies
D) hurricane

Question 16

The term "Hadley cell" applies to:

A) 30 degrees to 60 degrees latitude.
B) 60 degrees to 90 degrees latitude.
C) the poles and the equator.
D) the whole atmosphere.
E) 0 degrees to 30 degrees latitude.

Question 17

What are Rossby waves?

A) weather disturbances triggered by monsoon wind reversal
B) wave patterns in the upper level westerlies and polar jet stream
C) large movements of warm water associated with El Niño
D) paths taken by surface winds as they encounter mountains

Question 18

The Southern Oscillation:

A) is more important to weather in the United States than anywhere else in the world.
B) does not have the ability to drastically alter climate, and is of little concern.
C) is a cycle of strengthening and reversing trade winds in the equatorial Pacific.
D) is another name for a La Niña event.

Question 19

The doldrums are associated with what latitude(s)?

A) the midlatitudes
B) the Tropic of Cancer
C) the poles
D) the equator

Question 20

During the day, mountainous regions tend to experience a______ , while at night they experience ______.

A) valley breeze; valley breeze
B) valley breeze; mountain breeze
C) mountain breeze; valley breeze
D) mountain breeze; mountain breeze

Question 21

Most of the United States is situated in which zone of prevailing winds?

A) northerlies
B) doldrums
C) westerlies
D) trade winds
E) subpolar easterlies

Question 22

The North American monsoon is generated by the seasonal wind shifts associated with:

A) the southward movement of the subpolar low.
B) the arrival of the polar jet.
C) the migration of the ITCZ.
D) the development of a summertime thermal low in Arizona.

Question 23

Haboobs:

A) are dust storms triggered by intense thunderstorms.
B) are usually only a few meters high.
C) never occur outside of Northern Africa.
D) do not occur more than once or twice a year.

Question 24

Which of the following factors contributes to the general subsidence in the latitude zone 20 degrees to 35 degrees?

A) both the Coriolis force and radiation cooling
B) radiation cooling of the air
C) the Coriolis force
D) release of latent heat

Question 25

Chinook winds, land- sea breezes and Santa Ana winds are examples of _____circulations.

A) mesoscale
B) macroscale
C) synoptic
D) microscale
E) vortex

Question 26

Every year, the clockwise circulation around the subtropical high helps to:

A) lead hurricanes eastward across the Atlantic.
B) speed ozone depletion by lifting CFCs into the stratosphere.
C) transport 40 million tons of dust from the Sahara Desert to the Amazon rainforest.
D) deliver 20 million tons of carbon dioxide generated in Africa into the air above North America.

Question 27

G. Hadley's ideas about atmospheric circulations were concerned with the:

A) microscale.
B) synoptic scale.
C) mesoscale.
D) macroscale.

Question 28

Surface high pressure zones are usually associated with:

A) clear or nearly clear weather.
B) converging winds.
C) ascending air.
D) stormy weather.

Question 29

The primary force causing ocean currents is:

A) the major winds.
B) the earth's elliptical orbit around the Sun.
C) temperature differences between cold water below and warm water above.
D) the earth's rotation about its axis.
E) the Coriolis effect.

Question 30

The large rainfall totals associated with the Indian monsoon occur when:

A) the ITCZ shifts south towards the Tropic of Capricorn.
B) the ITCZ shifts to the north, near the Himalaya Mountains.
C) the winds shift to the north, blowing off of the Eurasian subcontinent.
D) high pressure develops over the Indian subcontinent.

Question 31

The areas of abundant rainfall on the earth tend to be:

A) near the equator.
B) near the equator and in midlatitudes.
C) in polar regions.
D) in midlatitudes.
E) over oceans.

Question 32

According to Hadley, the most important factor causing circulation patterns in the atmosphere was:

A) equator- pole temperature contrast.
B) subsidence.
C) convection.
D) high- low pressure distribution.

Question 33

Planetary scale flow such as trade- winds are best classified as:

A) mesoscale.
B) synoptic.
C) microscale.
D) macroscale.

Question 34

A Santa Ana (or Chinook or Foehn) wind is a:

A) very dry, warm wind coming down a mountain slope.
B) wind that is peculiar to the China mainland.
C) wind associated with a blizzard.
D) cold, damp wind blowing off snow fields.

Question 35

The intense rain of India's monsoon season is attributed to:

A) the northward migration of the ITCZ.
B) the arrival of the subtropical high.
C) the cooler winter temperatures, which make it easier for water vapor to condense.
D) increased moisture advection from the north.

Question 36

Summertime wildfires in California are fanned by:

A) Hadley circulations.
B) katabatic winds.
C) the Santa Ana winds.
D) the westerlies.

Question 37

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) Large landmasses heat differently than oceans and interrupt the pressure pattern.
B) The effects of the Coriolis force vary seasonally.
C) The intensity of incoming solar radiation varies radically along the same line of latitude.
D) The oceans experience drastic temperature changes from season to season.

Question 38

The process that brings cold, nutrient- rich water to the surface along the coasts of Peru and Ecuador is called:

A) thermocline suppression.
B) upwelling.
C) El Niño.
D) the Southern Oscillation.

Question 39

The amount of precipitation received at a given location is primarily controlled by:

A) the solar energy budget.
B) the humidity of the air at that place.
C) pressure and temperature patterns.
D) overnight temperatures.

Question 40

The region where the northeast trades meet the southeast trades is known as the:

A) high latitudes.
B) ITCZ.
C) hot zone.
D) subtropics.
E) rainforest.

Question 41

Most of the earth's deserts are located in the:

A) boundary between liquid and frozen oceans.
B) areas along the polar front.
C) subsidence areas of subtropical highs.
D) tradewind belt.
E) doldrum belt.

Question 42

Another name for the subtropical high is:

A) doldrums.
B) prevailing westerlies.
C) horse latitudes.
D) subpolar calm.
E) trades.

Question 43

A primary factor causing monsoon circulations is:

A) Coriolis effect.
B) greater temperature changes over continents compared to oceans.
C) ocean currents.
D) mountain ranges.
E) waves in the westerlies.

Question 44

What option below best characterizes the rainfall distribution at a station located south of the Sahara desert at about 20 degrees N latitude?

A) dry all year around
B) adequate precipitation all year around
C) summer dry season
D) winter dry season

Question 45

The major features of precipitation distribution patterns are determined by:

A) solar radiation available.
B) ocean water temperature.
C) annual temperature range.
D) general circulation and pressure patterns.
E) temperature lapse rates.

Question 46

The divergence near the ground that is associated with the subtropical high pressure zone can be cited as the origin of:

A) jet streams.
B) cyclogenesis.
C) trade winds.
D) polar easterlies.
E) sea breeze.

Question 47

Jet streams are associated with fronts because of the:

A) large temperature gradient.
B) clouds forming there.
C) higher pressure behind the front.
D) reduced friction above the front.

Question 48

Why do westerly winds prevail at upper altitudes?

A) equator to pole temperature contrast
B) rotation of the earth and equator to pole temperature contrast
C) lower air density
D) rotation of the earth
E) absence of friction

Question 49

Winds are usually named for:

A) the direction or place to which they are heading.
B) the approximate latitude of their origin.
C) the altitude where they are strongest.
D) the direction or place from which they are blowing.

Question 50

Dust devils:

A) can last for days.
B) form from the bottom up.
C) are most common in the tropics.
D) do not occur over vegetated surfaces.
E) are associated with convective clouds.

Question 51

One type of lake- effect storm that forms over the Great Lakes is characterized by a vortex shape. These vortices can range from 10 km to 100 km across. Based on their size, these storms would be classified as:

A) planetary scale.
B) mesoscale.
C) microscale.
D) synoptic scale.

Question 52

Which of the following pressure features is semi- permanent and is a result of the frequent midlatitude cyclones that traverse the area?

A) the Icelandic low
B) the Siberian high
C) the thermal low over Arizona
D) the equatorial low

Question 53

The prevailing winds that blow from the horse latitudes toward the doldrums are called:

A) westerlies.
B) trade winds.
C) subtropical northerlies.
D) polar easterlies.
E) southerlies.

Question 54

Which of the following statements about airflow in the middle and upper troposphere is true?

A) The predominant flow is from the equator poleward.
B) The flow is predominantly from the poles toward the equator.
C) The predominant flow is easterly in the midlatitudes and westerly in the tropics.
D) The flow is west- to- east throughout the midlatitudes.

Question 55

The Gulf Stream is the name given to:

A) the current carrying cold water from the North Pole along the West Coast of the United States.
B) a counter- clockwise surface current in the Gulf of California.
C) the circulation of water in the Gulf of Mexico.
D) a warm current carrying water from the equator along the East Coast of the United States.

Question 56

All of the following can result from a strong El Niño event EXCEPT:

A) weakening or reversing of the Pacific tradewinds.
B) the suppression of the Southern Oscillation.
C) abnormally high air pressure over Indonesia.
D) depletion of fish populations as upwelling is suppressed along the western coast of South America.

Question 57

Synoptic scale circulations are of what size, approximately?

A) under 1 km
B) between 1000 and 40,000 km
C) between 1 and 100 km
D) between 100 and 5000 km

Question 58

Which of the following is a characteristic of deserts located near cold ocean currents?

A) They tend to be warmer than inland deserts.
B) They receive more rain than other deserts.
C) They are often cool and shrouded in fog.
D) They often have unstable atmospheric conditions.

Question 59

What option below best characterizes the rainfall distribution at a non- desert station located immediately to the north of the Sahara desert?

A) adequate precipitation all year around
B) winter dry season
C) summer dry season
D) dry all year around

Question 60

Which of the following associations is NOT correct?

A) mountain breeze - night time
B) sea breeze - day time
C) land breeze - blows from the sea onto the land
D) chinooks - leeward side of mountains

Question 61

Which of the following would be the most prominent feature on the January pressure map?

A) the Arizonan thermal low
B) the Siberian high
C) the Bermuda high
D) the thermal low over Southeast Asia

Question 62

The Sahara and Australian deserts (among others) are associated with which pressure belt?

A) subpolar low
B) subtropical high
C) polar high
D) equatorial low

Question 63

What option below best characterizes the rainfall distribution at a station located along the equator?

A) adequate precipitation all year around
B) dry all year around
C) winter dry season
D) summer dry season

Question 64

One of the most severe El Niño events on record began in what year?

A) 1974
B) 2004
C) 1997
D) 1999

Question 65

City X experiences very dry conditions in the winter, along with a prevailing northerly wind. In the summer, the prevailing winds shift to southerly and the rainfall at City X increases by a factor of 10. What can you say about the general climate regime of City X?

A) It must be located under the ITCZ for most of the year.
B) It has a monsoon climate.
C) It must be located deep in the interior of a large continent.
D) It is probably at a high latitude.

Question 66

Name two examples of semi- permanent low- pressure centers.

Question 67

What changes have increased the risk associated with the Santa Ana winds in southern California?

A) Climate change has increased the local rainfall, leading to mudslides.
B) There hasn't been an increased risk - people have started building outside of fire zones now.
C) Commonly used landscape trees are more flammable than naturally occurring vegetation.
D) Very little flammable material exists anymore in the landscape, so houses burn more easily.

Question 68

Which mesoscale circulation affects Chicago?

A) mountain- valley breeze
B) katabatic wind
C) anabatic wind
D) land- sea breeze

Question 69

The definition of the word monsoon means:

A) rainy season.
B) moisture- laden air.
C) torrential rainfall.
D) seasonal wind shift.

Question 70

Land- sea breezes and _____ are mesoscale winds.

A) chinooks
B) tornadoes
C) hurricanes
D) occluded fronts
E) cold fronts

Question 71

Chinook and foehn winds are warm because:

A) they only occur in the tropics.
B) they occur primarily in deserts.
C) they are warmed adiabatically as they sink downslope.
D) they blow out of areas experiencing intense solar heating.

Question 72

The cyclones and anticyclones of the midlatitudes are part of the_______ circulation.

A) microscale
B) Hadley
C) trade wind
D) mesoscale
E) synoptic or macroscale

Question 73

How do mountain ranges alter precipitation patterns?

Question 74

Name the two latitude zones where precipitation is most abundant.

Question 75

Concerning rainfall patterns, areas of persistent high pressure tend to cause:

A) moderate rainfall.
B) pronounced wet and dry seasons.
C) severe flooding.
D) desert regions.

Question 76

The prevailing winds that tend to influence cities such as Chicago and New York City are:

A) southerlies.
B) polar easterlies.
C) westerlies.
D) doldrums.
E) trade winds.

Question 77

Microscale winds generally last for:

A) a few seconds.
B) 3 days or longer.
C) 1 to 2 hours.
D) 1 to 2 days.

Question 78

Jet streams:

A) do not go below 50 degrees latitude.
B) are usually about ten miles wide.
C) were first detected by George Hadley.
D) reverse direction 180 degrees in summer.
E) occur about 2- 12 kim above the surface in middle latitudes.

Question 79

Which current is responsible for transporting heat across the north Atlantic and moderating the climate of Western Europe?

A) The North Atlantic Drift
B) The Greenland Current
C) The Labrador Current
D) The Canary Current

Question 80

What option below best characterizes the rainfall distribution at a station, such as New York City, located at about 40 degrees N latitude?

A) dry all year around
B) summer dry season
C) adequate precipitation all year around
D) winter dry season