E.SC.B Winds/air pressure exam review

How does the Coriolis effect manipulate winds in Michigan?

Winds will turn to the right in the northern hemisphere.

Winds tend to blow from ______ pressure to ______ pressure.

high low

Why do the major winds not blow in straight lines?

Coriolis effect

What major wind belt effects our climate the most?

Westerlies

What conditions are associated with the convergence of the trade winds?

Hot/Wet, Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

The closer you get to the equator the _____________ the Coriolis effect is.

weaker

The closer to the poles you get the ____________ the Coriolis effect is.

stronger

What change does El Niño bring to the temperatures of the West coast of South America?

It brings warm surface water back from the Western Pacific Ocean, so it warms the temperatures up.

What is a major economic impact of the El Niño on South America?

The cold nutrient rich water is forced back down by the returning warm water. This causes the fish population to decrease in this area and the fishing industry/economy suffers.

What would wind approaching a mountain look like?

The windward side will be cool and have clouds, because the air is forced up causing it to cool adiabatically.

What causes wind?

Differences in air pressure.

What determines wind speed?

Pressure gradient. The larger the pressure difference the faster the wind.

Describe the climate conditions on the windward side of mountains.

cool/wet/clouds

Describe the climate conditions on the leeward side of mountains.

warmer/dry/no clouds

What happens to air pressure as air moves vertically?

Air pressure decreases as air moves vertically, because there is less air above it pushing down creating air pressure.

What happens to temperature as air rises in the atmosphere?

Temperature will decrease, because air is expanding.

What is adiabatic cooling?

Because the air expands as it rises it will cool.