Quiz 6: Atmospheric Circulation

The atmosphere circulates in response to ______

temperature gradients

What does the circulation of the atmosphere and ocean ultimately do?

Moves heat from warm locations to cold locations

Prior to comparing air pressures for various geographic locations, what must first be done to those not taken at sea level?

Adjusted to sea level

Where in the atmosphere do air pressure gradients occur?

Horizontally and Vertically

What type of weather is typically associated with a low-pressure system?

Stormy

If Earth did not rotate while other conditions remained the same, which way would the surface winds blow?

From pole to equator

Which would most be impacted by the Coriolis force?

All of the above are equal influences

When will net acceleration be equal to zero (no change in speed or direction) on a moving air parcel?

When forces acting on it are balanced

Which of the following about the geostrophic wind is correct?

All of the above

What differentiates the gradient wind from the geostrophic wind?

Path is curved

Which of the following describes a ridge?

Anticyclonic curve in the isobar pattern

Which of the following describes a trough?

Cyclonic curve in the isobar pattern

What happens to winds near a low pressure at Earth's surface?

Cross the isobars towards a low pressure

How can pressure gradient be used to determine wind speed?

Gradient cannot be used to determine wind speed

Which of the following describes a cup anemometer?

Three to four cups mounted on a vertical shaft; One open cup faces the wind at a time

Which of the following about a sonic anemometer is true?

All of the above

How many belts of circulation is the planetary scale circulation broken into in each hemisphere?

3

The contrasts in climate between the eastern and western flanks of subtropical anticyclones is apparent across southern North America, including relatively ______

Neither a or b

Where are the horse latitudes found?

All of the above

What types of winds are likely found in the horse latitudes?

Air is calm

Which of the following is also referred to as the heat equator?

ITCZ

A front is a zone of transition between air masses with different air densities because of different ______

temperatures

Which of the following does the trade wind inversion limit?

All of the above

The meridional component of the westerlies brings what type of energy exchange?

North-South; Poleward transport of heat

Which of the following is true if the westerlies are more zonal in nature?

East-west exchange of energy

What is it called when a cutoff low or high prevents the usual west-to-east movement of weather systems?

Zonal flow

What is a jet stream?

Relatively narrow corridor of strong wind in the upper atmosphere

Which of the following is true with respect to Northern Hemisphere weather and jet stream?

When the polar jet is to your south it is cold; When the polar jet is to your north, it is warm

How big is a typical extratropical cyclone?

1000-2000 km

Where do the lowest air temperatures typically occur in a Northern Hemisphere extratropical cyclone?

Northwest of storm center

Which of the following is a reason for cyclogenesis to occur in the middle and high latitude continents?

Strong horizontal temperature gradient

Which would typically produce more precipitation?

Equal precipitation would be produced no matter where the extratropical cyclone develops

In which season are you more likely to see an Alberta Clipper system in the U S?

Winter

What would you call a system that develops on the coast and tracks along the coast towards higher latitudes?

Nor'Easter

Relative to 500mb wind speeds, how fast do surface pressure systems move?

1/2 the speed

Which ocean current helps to enhance cyclogenesis in the winter?

None of the above

The prevailing Westerlies are distorted due to which mountain range?

Rockies

When is the jet stream typically the strongest?

Winter

Which of the following has especially helped to verify the main features of the Norwegian Cyclone Model?

Remote sensing by satellites

Which of the following about Arctic Amplification is true?

All of the above

Which of the following are possible due to a blocking pattern?

All of the above

At any given time how many Rossby waves are found in the northern hemisphere?

3-5

What term is used to define a persistent and significant feature of the planetary-scale circulation over the eastern portions of tropical ocean basins?

Trade wind inversion

The eastward flowing jet stream encircling the Antarctic is known as?

Circumpolar vortex

Which of the following times scales best describes a mesoscale system?

Hours to a day

Ideally, a wind vane should be positioned to measure winds at what height?

10 m

In which direction does an onshore wind flow?

From sea to land

What affect does friction have on wind?

Slows it down

In which direction does the Coriolis force act?

To the right of motion in the Northern Hemisphere; To the left of motion in the Southern Hemisphere

How does the air pressure in Denver, CO, compare with the air pressure at sea level?

Substantially higher than sea level