Question 1

The chinook wind has been known to cause rapid increases in temperature in the Denver, CO area.

Accepted Answer

The chinook wind, also known as the "snow eater," is a warm and dry wind that can raise temperatures in the Denver area by as much as 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of hours. This phenomenon is well-documented and is a common occurrence in the area.

Question 2

The strong Siberian high becomes well developed in the summer.

Accepted Answer

The strong Siberian high is typically associated with cold winter months in Siberia and northern Asia, not the summer.

Question 3

Trade winds are a smaller macroscale wind phenomenon than a cyclone.

Accepted Answer

Trade winds are a large-scale wind pattern that covers vast areas of the Earth, while cyclones are smaller, more localized weather systems.

Question 4

The region where the trade winds meet is sometimes called the doldrums.

Accepted Answer

This is true. The doldrums are an area near the Equator where the trade winds converge and there is often little wind, causing slow or stagnant sailing conditions.

Question 5

George Hadley correctly described the general circulation of the atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

The answer of George Hadley correctly described the general circulation...

Question 6

Changes in the polar jet stream help maintain the earth's heat budget.

Accepted Answer

The polar jet stream plays a critical role in maintaining the earth's heat budget by carrying warm and cold air masses across different latitudes, which helps distribute heat around the planet. Changes in the polar jet stream can impact weather patterns and climate, affecting the overall balance of energy in the earth's atmosphere.

Question 7

There is no true monsoon climate anywhere in North America.

Accepted Answer

Parts of North America, particularly the southwestern United States and Mexico, experience monsoon conditions with a distinct rainy season in the summer, known as the North American Monsoon.

Question 8

Seasonal changes in pressure are greater over continents than over the oceans.

Accepted Answer

This is because continents have more pronounced changes in temperature and weather patterns compared to the relatively stable conditions found over the oceans. As the temperature changes over the continents, it causes changes in the pressure which leads to stronger seasonal changes in pressure over land.

Question 9

The United States is completely unaffected by monsoons.

Accepted Answer

Monsoons can affect certain areas of the United States. For example, some parts of Arizona and New Mexico experience a summer monsoon season with heavy rain and thunderstorms. Additionally, the Hawaii and Alaska regions can also experience effects from monsoons.

Question 10

Katabatic winds have a cooling effect, and chinook winds have a warming effect.

Accepted Answer

Katabatic winds are cold, dry, downslope winds that occur when heavy, dense air is pulled down by gravity from higher elevations to lower elevations. This can result in a cooling effect. On the other hand, chinook winds are warm, dry, downslope winds that occur on the leeward side of a mountain range. As the air descends and compresses, it warms up, resulting in a warming effect.

Question 11

You examine sea surface temperature data collected off the coast of Peru and find that temperatures are 1.5°C below average. From this, you can reasonably conclude that a La Niña event may be in progress.

Accepted Answer

La Niña events in the tropical Pacific Ocean are characterized by below-average sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific, including off the coast of Peru. A sea surface temperature that is 1.5°C below average is significant and suggests the possibility of a La Niña event.

Question 12

Cities that have less intense urban heat islands should also have weaker country breezes.

Accepted Answer

Urban heat islands can intensify air temperature in cities, leading to stronger country breezes as a result of the temperature difference between urban and rural areas. Therefore, cities that have less intense urban heat islands are likely to have weaker country breezes.

Question 13

Strong surface low- pressure systems occur in conjunction with wave- like flow aloft.

Accepted Answer

This is true. The wave-like flow aloft can create areas of divergence and convergence which can enhance the development and intensification of surface low-pressure systems.

Question 14

The jet stream is best able to accomplish a transfer of heat from south to north when it has
meridional flow.

Accepted Answer

Meridional flow occurs when the jet stream moves in a more north-south pattern, allowing for the transfer of warmer air from the south to the north. Zonal flow, on the other hand, moves in a more east-west pattern, which can inhibit the transfer of heat from the south to the north.

Question 15

The northeast trades are found between 60 degrees and 30 degrees North.

Accepted Answer

The northeast trades are found between 0 degrees and 30 degrees North, not 60 degrees.

Question 16

Sea breezes are more likely at night, while land breezes are more likely during the day.

Accepted Answer

The statement is actually reversed. Sea breezes are more likely during the day because land heats up faster than water, causing the air above the land to rise and the cooler air above the sea to move in to replace it. At night, the land cools down faster, causing the air above the sea to rise and the cooler air above the land to move in to replace it, resulting in land breezes.

Question 17

Strong pressure gradients are associated with uniformly cold temperatures.

Accepted Answer

Strong pressure gradients can be associated with a variety of temperature patterns, including strong temperature contrasts and cold fronts. The relationship between pressure gradients and temperature is complex and depends on a variety of factors.

Question 18

El Niño has no measurable impacts on weather in the United States.

Accepted Answer

El Niño can have impacts on weather in the United States, including increased rainfall in some regions and drought in others. It can also affect temperatures, hurricane activity, and winter storms.

Question 19

Country breezes occur partly because concrete and asphalt are low albedo surfaces.

Accepted Answer

Concrete and asphalt have low albedo, meaning they absorb more of the sun's energy and heat up. This causes the air above them to also heat up and rise, creating a low pressure area. Cooler air from surrounding areas then rushes in to fill the void, resulting in a country breeze.

Question 20

For much of South and Southeast Asia, winter is a period characterized by relatively dry conditions.

Accepted Answer

In general, many parts of South and Southeast Asia experience a dry and relatively cooler period during winter, often marked by lower rainfall and humidity compared to other seasons. However, this may not be true for all regions within these areas as weather patterns can vary.

Quiz 7: Circulation of the Atmosphere