Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

The polar jet stream is strongest when there is a significant temperature difference between the air masses north and south of the polar front, with colder air to the north and warmer air to the south. This temperature gradient intensifies the jet stream.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

The northeast trades and the southeast trades converge near the equator to form the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a region characterized by low atmospheric pressure and frequent thunderstorms.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

In Honolulu, Hawaii, the prevailing winds are the trade winds, which blow from the northeast. This is due to the Earth's rotation and the general circulation patterns in the tropics.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is characterized by the convergence of the northeast and southeast trade winds near the equator, leading to significant cloud formation and precipitation.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The driest regions on Earth are typically found near 30 degrees latitude, where the descending air of the Hadley and Ferrel cells creates high-pressure zones, leading to dry conditions, and near the polar regions, where cold, dry air also leads to low precipitation levels.

Question 6

Which statement describes the subtropical jet stream?

Accepted Answer

The subtropical jet stream generally blows from west to east, influenced by the Earth's rotation and the temperature gradient between the equator and the poles.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Chicago, Illinois, located at a latitude of 42 degrees N, falls within the westerlies wind belt. The westerlies are the prevailing wind patterns found between the latitudes of 30° and 60° in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The Pacific high, a large area of high atmospheric pressure, shifts southward in winter due to the cooling of the ocean and the atmosphere above it. In summer, as the North Pacific warms up, the high-pressure area shifts northward, following the sun's path and the general warming trend.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The polar easterlies are the winds found on the poleward side of the polar front, blowing from the east to the west.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Trade winds are observed south of the subtropical highs in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, where they blow from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

The three-cell model of general circulation describes the distribution of the Earth's atmospheric circulation in latitudinal belts. According to this model, areas of surface low pressure are found at the equator, due to intense solar heating and rising air masses (known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone, or ITCZ), and at about 60 degrees latitude, where warmer air from the tropics meets cooler air from the poles, leading to rising air and low pressure.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The westerlies are the prevailing winds found between the subpolar lows and the subtropical highs in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. These winds blow from the west to the east and are a result of the Earth's rotation and the temperature gradient between the poles and the equator.

Question 13

The jet stream flows ____.

Accepted Answer

The jet stream flows in a wavy pattern from west to east, influenced by the rotation of the Earth and atmospheric conditions.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

The polar front is characterized by rising air due to the convergence of different air masses, leading to cloud formation and precipitation, not sinking air aloft.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

At high latitudes like Barrow, Alaska, the prevailing winds are typically easterly due to the polar easterlies, which are winds that blow from the east in the polar regions.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

The three-cell general circulation model predicts low pressure and rising air at the equator, leading to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), not a ridge of high pressure. This area is characterized by thunderstorms, heavy showers, and light winds due to the convergence of air masses and intense solar heating.

Question 17

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?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following would NOT be...

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

The majority of the United States is located within the Westerlies wind belt, which affects the weather patterns across the country by moving from the west to the east.

Question 19

Which statement describes the polar front jet stream?

Accepted Answer

The polar front jet stream forms near the boundary between the polar air masses and the warmer air masses to the south, known as the polar front. This boundary is where significant temperature differences create the conditions necessary for the jet stream's high-speed winds.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Deserts are typically found at 30 degrees latitude because this is where the sinking air of the subtropical highs occurs. This sinking air leads to high pressure areas where conditions are dry, contributing to desert formation.

Quiz 10: Wind: Global Systems