Global Wind Patterns Quiz

Study Notes

Global wind patterns are driven by the uneven heating of Earth's surface
Differences in the angle of insolation at different latitudes cause locations in the tropics to receive more energy than polar regions
The atmosphere acts as a heat transfer system, moving warm air towards higher latitudes and cool air toward the equator
On a hypothetical non-rotating planet, two large thermal cells would form
The Coriolis effect, caused by the Earth's rotation, breaks these cells into six convection cells
Trade winds are located near the subtropical highs and blow consistently from an easterly direction
Westerlies are dominant west-to-east winds in regions poleward of the subtropical highs
Polar easterlies are winds blowing from the polar high toward the subpolar low
Polar fronts are stormy zones separating cold polar air masses from warmer tropical air masses
Jet streams are fast-moving air currents in the upper atmosphere
Jet streams are located between 10-15 km above Earth's surface
The position of the jet stream is strongly influenced by the temperature gradient between air masses
Storms in the United States generally move towards the northeast based on global wind patterns
Hurricane paths are influenced by global winds, with hurricanes below 30 degrees North moving west. Above 30 degrees North, they move northeast
Jet streams can affect hurricane paths, sometimes pulling storms back towards the west.
Winter jet streams move faster, farther south, and are more curved than summer jet streams.

Cyclones have low pressure at the center
Cyclones have warm, less dense air rising
Cyclones have convergent surface winds coming together
Cyclones have counterclockwise airflow in the Northern Hemisphere, clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
Anticyclones have high pressure at the center
Anticyclones have cold, dense air sinking
Anticyclones have divergent surface winds moving apart
Anticyclones have clockwise airflow in the Northern Hemisphere, counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
Convergence means air coming together
Divergence means air going apart