Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems
42 Questions
8 Views

Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems

Created by
@DazzledFlute

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

How does the Coriolis force affect wind movement in the northern hemisphere?

  • It has no effect on wind direction.
  • It deflects wind to the left.
  • It only affects wind at the equator.
  • It deflects wind to the right. (correct)

    • What is the primary effect of the pressure gradient force on wind velocity?

  • The higher the pressure gradient force, the greater the wind velocity. (correct)
  • It causes wind to blow perpendicular to isobars.
  • It decreases wind velocity near high pressures.
  • It is directly proportional to the wind deflection.

    • Which of the following statements is true about cyclonic and anti-cyclonic circulation?

  • Cyclonic circulation leads to divergence of air.
  • Anti-cyclonic circulation occurs around low-pressure systems.
  • Cyclonic circulation occurs around high-pressure systems. (correct)
  • Anti-cyclonic circulation involves rising air.

    • At which location is the Coriolis force absent?

    <p>At the equator.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to air in low-pressure areas according to the described wind circulation?

    <p>Air converges and rises.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the warm air when a cold front overtakes a warm front?

    <p>It is completely lifted up</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic distinguishes extra tropical cyclones from tropical cyclones?

    <p>Extra tropical cyclones have a frontal system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which latitudes do extra tropical cyclones commonly occur?

    <p>Middle and high latitudes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What indicates the contact zone when warm air moves towards a cold air mass?

    <p>A warm front</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of the abrupt changes caused by the passing of a front?

    <p>Formation of clouds and precipitation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs when an air mass is fully lifted above the land surface?

    <p>Formation of an occluded front</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During extra tropical cyclone formation in the northern hemisphere, which direction does the warm air move?

    <p>Northwards</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of weather changes are typically observed in the area affected by extra tropical cyclones?

    <p>Abrupt changes in temperature and pressure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of air mass is characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity?

    <p>Maritime tropical (mT)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which air mass is likely to cause the most intense cold weather conditions?

    <p>Continental arctic (cA)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of air mass is associated with dry and high temperature conditions?

    <p>Continental tropical (cT)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the source regions for air masses?

    <p>They are homogeneous regions with little horizontal variation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are air masses classified?

    <p>According to their source regions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following air masses comes from relatively cold high latitude oceans?

    <p>Maritime polar (mP)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which air mass has the least effect on temperature due to its origin?

    <p>Maritime tropical (mT)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of continental polar (cP) air masses?

    <p>They form over cold land areas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of air mass is expected to bring warm, humid conditions from the ocean?

    <p>Maritime tropical (mT)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What atmospheric condition prevents tropical cyclones from forming near the equator?

    <p>Low pressure filling instead of intensifying</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the factors affecting the pattern of planetary winds?

    <p>Latitudinal variation of atmospheric heating</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What describes geostrophic wind behavior?

    <p>Wind blows parallel to isobars with no friction present</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factors contribute to the creation of fronts in the atmosphere?

    <p>Temperature differences between air masses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which front is characterized by the warm air being pushed up over cooler air?

    <p>Warm front</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily causes winds in the upper atmosphere?

    <p>Pressure gradient and Coriolis force</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about occluded fronts is true?

    <p>They form when a warm front overtakes a cold front</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one effect of the Earth's rotation on atmospheric conditions?

    <p>It affects the deflection of wind patterns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used for the boundary zone where two different air masses meet?

    <p>Front</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of an extra-tropical cyclone?

    <p>They are influenced primarily by temperature gradients</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the pressure gradient play in wind generation?

    <p>It balances the Coriolis force to create winds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process of formation of fronts called?

    <p>Frontogenesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of front occurs when a cold air mass pushes into a warm air mass?

    <p>Cold front</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes an occluded front?

    <p>It occurs when a warm air mass is trapped between cold air masses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of clouds are typically associated with the passage of a cold front?

    <p>Cumulus clouds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic feature of a warm front?

    <p>Warm air rises over cold air.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a well-developed extratropical cyclone, what role do warm sectors play?

    <p>They are wedged between cold air sectors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of circulatory pattern is typically present in an extratropical cyclone?

    <p>Anticlockwise cyclonic circulation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to precipitation patterns ahead of a warm front?

    <p>Precipitation is generally light and steady.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What describes a stationary front?

    <p>It occurs when two air masses collide without moving.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems

    • The movement of cold and warm air masses results in various weather patterns
    • Cold Front: A boundary zone where cold air moves towards warm air
    • Warm Front: A boundary zone where warm air moves towards cold air
    • Occluded Front: When a cold front overtakes a warm front, forcing the warm air upwards
    • Extra Tropical Cyclones: Form in mid and high latitudes, characterized by a clear frontal system
      • Formation Process: They form along stationary polar fronts where warm air from the south meets cold air from the north
      • Characteristics: Have a warm front and a cold front, creating abrupt weather changes
      • Cyclonic Circulation: Anticlockwise rotation in the Northern Hemisphere, clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
    • Tropical Cyclones:
      • Differ from extra-tropical cyclones: They lack a clear frontal system and form over the oceans
      • Formation: Originate over warm tropical waters and are associated with low pressure areas
      • Structure: Can be visualized through a schematic representation with a clear vertical structure
    • Air Masses: Large bodies of air with little horizontal variation in temperature and moisture
      • Formation: Air masses acquire characteristics of the homogenous regions they form over, such as oceans or plains
      • Classification: Classified based on their source regions, such as maritime tropical (mT), continental tropical (cT), maritime polar (mP), continental polar (cP), and continental arctic (cA)
    • Frontogenesis: The process of forming fronts, characterized by a steep temperature and pressure gradient
      • Types of Fronts: Consist of cold, warm, stationary, and occluded fronts
    • Land and Sea Breezes: Local winds caused by temperature differences between land and sea
      • Sea Breeze: During the day, land heats faster, creating low pressure and wind blowing from the cooler sea to land
      • Land Breeze: During the night, land cools faster, creating high pressure and wind blowing from the warmer sea to land
    • Mountain and Valley Winds: Local winds generated by temperature differences between mountain slopes and valleys
      • Valley Wind: During the day, mountain slopes heat up, creating upslope airflow and wind blowing from the valley to the slopes
      • Mountain Wind: At night, slopes cool down, creating downslope airflow and wind blowing from the mountain slopes to the valleys
    • Coriolis Force: A force that results from the Earth's rotation, deflecting wind directions
      • Direction: Deflects wind to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere
      • Intensity: The deflection is more pronounced with higher wind velocities and at higher latitudes
    • Pressure Gradient Force: A force that drives air from high pressure areas to low pressure areas
    • Geostrophic Wind: Wind that blows parallel to isobars when the pressure gradient force and Coriolis force are balanced
    • General Circulation of the Atmosphere: The global pattern of planetary winds, influenced by several factors, such as latitudinal variation of atmospheric heating, pressure belts, and the rotation of the Earth
    • Convergence and Divergence of Winds: Related to wind circulation around low and high pressure areas
      • Convergence: Air flows into a low pressure area, causing upward movement and contributing to cloud formation and precipitation
      • Divergence: Air flows out of a high pressure area, causing downward movement and clear skies
    • Relationship between Wind Circulation and Weather: Wind circulation creates the conditions necessary for cloud formation and precipitation. For example, convergence leads to upward movement, which cools the air, causing condensation and cloud formation.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems PDF

    Description

    Explore the dynamics of atmospheric circulation and its impact on weather systems. This quiz covers cold and warm fronts, cyclones, and their characteristics, providing insights into how air masses interact to create various weather patterns. Test your knowledge on the formation and behavior of both extra-tropical and tropical cyclones.

    More Like This

    Atmospheric Circulation Quiz
    87 questions

    Atmospheric Circulation Quiz

    FoolproofTopaz avatar
    FoolproofTopaz
    Atmospheric Circulation Quiz
    5 questions

    Atmospheric Circulation Quiz

    StylishPulsar avatar
    StylishPulsar
    Weather Systems Quiz
    6 questions

    Weather Systems Quiz

    PureBinomial avatar
    PureBinomial
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser