The pressure gradient force is directed from higher to lower pressure: lines connecting points of equal air pressure. Gases move from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas. Divergence in the atmosphere is best defined as: Which of the following has the smallest impact on winds? A rising pressure indicates fine, settled weather, while a falling pressure indicates unstable and cloudy weather. Wind is the movement of air relative to the Earth's surface. Want to know more about wind? graph b (circled inward, counterclockwise). divergence aloft and convergence at the surface in the ocean as salt water in the atmosphere as water vapor, A surface weather map for 7 a.m. EST, December 22, 1989. Winds are directed and driven by the pressure gradient force (moves air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure), The Coriolis force is a deflection in the path of winds or ocean currents caused by the rotation of Earth; Coriolis force deflects objects to the RIGHT in the Northern Hemisphere and to the LEFT in the Southern . When upper atmospheric winds blow parallel to the isobars along straight paths, they are termed ________ winds. This can be done with compass directions (ie, a north wind is one that is blowing from the north to the south) or with a degree scale where N=0, E=90, S=180, and W=270. T/F:If you're cooking pasta for your big romantic date, you'd better allow a few extra minutes for it to cook once it comes to a boil if you're at a high altitude. This is something that happens in nature all the time: things always try to even out. The maximum pressure range of the atmosphere, as defined by the highest and lowest pressures ever recorded, is between: What units of pressure are used when air pressure is reported to the public in the United States? D2=Asin(kx+t)D_2=A \sin (k x+\omega t)D2=Asin(kx+t), The predominant summer wind direction is in favor of the batter. Air is set in motion by the Pressure Gradient Force (PGF). In both cases, pressure gradient force directs the wind directly perpendicular to the isobars, into the low pressure. Figure 24. Which of the following is not a mechanism to lift air to cause condensation, cloud formation, and potentially storms: a. colliding air masses - fronts b. orographic lifting c. convection d. Course Hero is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university. centrifugal force. If air pressure is reduced by one-half for every five-kilometer increase in altitude, what would be the air pressure at a height of 25 kilometers as a fraction of sea-level air pressure? If it's not blowing, there's no electricity generated.Still, use of wind energy has more than quadrupled between 2000 and 2006. The predominant summer wind direction is in favor of the batter. Figure 23. convergence aloft Westerlies are strongest in the winter, when pressure over the pole is low, and weakest in summer, when the polar high creates stronger polar easterlies.The strongest westerlies blow through the Roaring Forties, a wind zone between 40 and 50 degrees latitude in the Southern Hemisphere. There are three forces that cause the wind to move as it does. T/F: An isobar is a line connecting points of equal humidity. This illustrates the fact that: friction is present only close to the ground. Cold air masses form at the poles, where the sun's radiation is less intense. Wind is a part of weather we experience all the time, but why does it actually happen? Anemometers are used with tornado data collectors, which measure the velocity, precipitation, and pressure of tornadoes.Tornadoes strength is measured according to the Fujita scale. Which of the following areas is most likely to be experiencing rain or other significant weather? As wind approaches a mountain, it brings moisture with it, which condenses as rain and other precipitation before coming over the crest of the mountain. On Earth, the main differences in air pressure are caused by differences in temperature. In Minnesota, for example, tall towers throughout neighborhoods sound an alarm if a tornado is near.Measuring WindsWind is often measured in terms of wind shear. More than 300,000 people died, and more than a million were made homeless. Which of the following statements regarding Hurricane Frances and Typhoon Songda is correct? Warm air above the land rises, and cooler air above the water moves in over the land, creating an inland breeze. When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. T/F:In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis effect causes all moving objects that travel large distances in the atmosphere to deflect to the right of their original path. The cause of eye formation is still not fully understood. Coriolis Force and Wind Movement. Horizontal variations in air pressure cause a force which makes the wind blow. The latitude Trade winds are generally very predictable. (t/f), Friction at the surface results in a stronger Coriolis force. the comparatively high pressure gradient in the area. 78) C ) pressure gradient force . Without going into detail as to why rotation creates this apparent force, the Coriolis effect causes winds (and all moving objects) to be deflected: The Coriolis effect causes winds to deflect as they travel within circulation cells and results in the two large hypothetical Hadley cells breaking into six smaller cells, which looks something like the diagram below (and the first figure in this series). Landforms, processes, and impacts of wind are called Aeolian landforms, processes, and impacts.Differences in atmospheric pressure generate winds. In some cases, this takes places in the desert, as sand dunes migrate and change shape over time. D) deflection always at a 90 degree angle to the direction of air flow, C) Low wind speeds strongest deflection. Wave action The primary cause of erosion along a coastline is by wave action. Horizontal variations in air pressure cause a force which makes the wind blow. She or he will best know the preferred format. In Europe, ancient Greek myths refer to the Anemoi, or wind gods, as Boreas (north wind), Eurus (east wind), Notus (south wind), and Zephyrus (west wind). The maximum pressure range of the atmosphere is between: The addition of water vapor will cause the density of air to: Which of the following has the smallest impact on winds? Assume that a parcel with an initial temperature of 20C and a dew point of 7C starts at sea level and travels up the side of a mountain. Some equatorial air masses return to the doldrums as trade winds, while others circulate in the other direction as westerlies. Winds carried ash from the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajkull, a volcano in Iceland, as far west as Greenland and as far east as Great Britain. The pressure decreases with height. The second was westward winds across the English Channel, allowing Protestant William of Orange to invade England and depose James II, the last Catholic monarch. changing the direction of the wind (Visibility is the distance that a person can seeblizzards, like fog, make visibility difficult and a task like driving dangerous.) As the Sun unevenly heats the surface of the Earth, air rises and sinks, resulting in high and low regions of air pressure. Its readings may be too low or too high if the temperature varies from the expected. What is the average sea level pressure in the United States? T/F:If the pressure at sea level were 1020 millibars, it would be considered higher than average. Some, like the noreasters that blow from the northeast down the East Coast, are not creatively named. Gravity 4. Rising air undergoes adiabatic cooling, which assists in the formation of clouds. The main cause of wind is a little surprising. The spiral (swirling counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere) develops as a high-pressure area twists around a low-pressure area.The Atlantic Oceans hurricane season peaks from mid-August to late October and averages five to six hurricanes per year.Wind conditions that can lead to hurricanes are called tropical disturbances. Identify the choice or choices above that represent(s) low pressure center(s). The cause of the clockwise spiraling motion is: You would expect vertical airflow in a cyclone to result in: You would expect vertical airflow in an anticyclone to result in: High air pressure zones are usually associated with: If "fair" weather is approaching, the pressure tendency would probably be: Weather reports of wind express only the horizontal motion of the air. 0 describes conditions that are so calm that smoke rises vertically. Because warm air rises, it leaves behind an area of low pressure behind it. On the other hand, sinking air creates high pressure at the surface where it descends. They always blow from cold, high-pressure regions. convergence aloft It can dry your clothes in summer and chill you to the bone in winter. All rights reserved. These pressure variations are caused by: temperature contrasts between different locations. This Tri-State Tornado sped for 338 kilometers (219 miles) through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. The gases that make up our atmosphere do interesting things as the temperatures change. Which option above is generally associated with "fair" weather? Riding with jet streams saves time and fuel. unequal solar heating of the earth directly causes large-scale winds, called the jet stream. No way. Chicago is a lakeside city that experiences cool breezes coming off Lake Michigan. Extraterrestrial WindsThe same forces that cause winds on Earthuneven heating by the sun and the planets rotationcause other planets to develop strong winds. Meteorologists convert all atmospheric pressure data to the equivalent sea-level air pressure in order to: If you want to locate the centers of high and low pressure systems, you will need a map that has: A cyclone is generally defined by meteorologists as: in the opposite direction of Earth's rotation. Force is a pull or push that changes the resting state, motion, or direction of an object. The wettest typhoon ever recorded was Typhoon Morakot in 2009. In other. During the winter, land cools more quickly than the ocean. Neglecting friction, the speed and direction of the horizontal wind are determined by: temperature and humidity viscosity and turbulence T/F:The most fundamental reason for all atmospheric motions is the non-uniform heating of the earth by the Sun. The wind can also pick up massive amounts of sand and sandblast rock formations into stunning sculptures. This figure demonstrates how the wind moves at the surface as it related to Hadley cell circulation. What statement can you make about the weather Albany is likely to experience soon? Marine processes increase with high energy waves. Santa Anas are often responsible for spreading Southern Californias destructive wildfires, earning them the nickname murder winds.sirocco: wind that reaches hurricane speeds as it crosses the Mediterranean Sea to southern Europe. As the dense, moist winds of the storm encounter the drier winds of the coast, the storm can increase in intensity.Strong trade winds are associated with a lack of precipitation, while weak trade winds carry rainfall far inland. Figure 27. C) wind speed Neptunian winds whip at speeds up to 2,100 kph (1,300 mph).Extrasolar planets (those outside our solar system) have even faster winds. Although its winds ultimately blew as far north as the U.S. states of Ohio and Kentucky, by the time it hit the coastline of the U.S. states of Louisiana and Mississippi, the storm surge was only about 1.5 meters (5 feet). (t/f), A southwest wind blows toward the northeast. (t/f), If pressure gradient was the only force acting on the air, it would move in a curved path. Under normal conditions, the winds move much faster higher in the atmosphere, creating high wind shear in high altitudes.Engineers must consider an areas average wind shear when constructing buildings. It is the great equalizer of the atmosphere, transporting heat, moisture, pollutants, and dust great distances around the globe. What is the primary force that cause all winds? When people get onto a bus, do they all sit on the same side of the bus first? (t/f), Cyclones are characterized by converging surface winds and rising air. Who are the experts? Winds. Which of the following areas has the highestpressure gradient? This is a low-pressure system. Wind is caused by air flowing from high pressure to low pressure. A supercell is a thunderstorm with a powerful, rotating updraft. That rush of air is the wind we experience. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. Hadley Circulation Cells cause a gradient of pressure shown in this figure. Many wind farms have been established on mountains, in valleys, and offshore, as the air from the ocean interacts with land-air.Some people think wind turbines are ugly and complain about the noise they make. The spacing of isobar lines on a map provides a visual indication of ________. Subway StormThe Great Blizzard of 1888 shut down roads and rails along the East Coast of the United States. T/F:At a given pressure value, the air density will be highest when the temperature is coldest. Wind shear is a difference in wind speed and direction over a set distance in the atmosphere. If solar radiation is incident on the plate at a rate of 550W/m2550 W/m^2550W/m2 and the surrounding air temperature is 10C,10^\circ C,10C, determine the surface temperature of the plate when the heat loss by convection equals the solar energy absorbed by the plate. The primary force which causes all winds is: air would move directly from high to low pressure. Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts. On the surface, wind moves away from high pressure (High) and toward low pressure (Low). The geostrophic wind concept is most like the real atmospheric winds: When geostrophic conditions exist in the atmosphere, the net force on the moving air is: The geostrophic wind describes a situation where the air moves: If you stand with your back to the wind, there is low pressure on your left and high pressure on the right. In Aztec mythology, the four wind gods were Mictlanpachecatl (north wind), Tlalocayotl (east wind), Vitztlampaehecatl (south wind), and Cihuatecayotl (west wind).Other mythologies recognize one supreme god of the wind: Enlil of Sumeria, Amun in ancient Egypt, Fujin in Japan's Shinto culture, Fei Lan of ancient China, and Vayu, the Hindu god of wind. inward and clockwise The most powerful, Category 5, is measured by winds whipping at 252 kph (157 mph). Wind is the movement of air caused by the uneven heating of the Earth by the sun. This is a high-pressure system. Just about every wind on Earth can be traced in cause back to the Sun. It tracks clouds, temperature changes, flows of water, fire, smoke, and wind. Pressure gradient force, Coriolis and friction. These images show the winds of Typhoon Dolphin. What is the fundamental cause of horizontal pressure differences in the atmosphere? . (This warm, low-pressure equatorial wind descends again around the horse latitudes. If they are behind the plane, pushing it forward, they are called tailwinds. convergence aloft and divergence at the surface divergence aloft A diagram which indicates the percentage of time the wind blows from various directions. The tornado destroyed local communications, making warnings for the next town nearly impossible. T/F:A steep pressure gradient indicates strong winds. When representing wind direction numerically, winds from the north are associated with: Of the various elements of weather and climate, changes in air pressure are probably the most easily perceived by people. The Coriolis effect influences the wind by: Which of these factors influence the magnitude of the Coriolis force? ________ are elongated high pressure areas extending towards the poles and are associated with ________. T/F:The speed of the wind at a place is primarily determined by the barometric pressure at that place. The diagrams above and below portray just the Hadley cell circulation, that is driven by heating in the equatorial region. These pressure variations are caused by A)greenhouse effect B)non-circular shape of earth C)warm temperatures in the stratosphere D)uneven heating of the earth's surface E)earth's rotation B)rising and expanding its dense core, the coriolis effect influences the wind by Horizontal variations in air pressure cause a force which makes the wind blow. B) centrifugal force. We'll start at Earth's equator, where solar radiation is the highest year around. The extrasolar planets of 51 Pegasi have winds that blow 14,400 kph (9,000 mph)! The strongest winds in the solar system, however, belong to its outermost planet, Neptune. The overall strength of a circulation system is determined by: air would move directly from high to low pressure. The illustration below portrays the global wind belts, three in each hemisphere. The Levant, the Mideast region in the eastern Mediterranean, does not experience the levant.Loo: strong, hot summer wind that blows across northern India from the arid deserts to the west, and is only stopped by the arrival of the monsoon. Britain had just become a Protestant nation. produces strong winds Watch this video to learn about wind! The primary cause of erosion along a coastline is by wave action. Winds of up to 72 kph (45 mph) whipped the East Coast from Chesapeake Bay to as far north as Nova Scotia, Canada. Uneven heating of the earth or horizontal temperature contrasts. The gases that make up our atmosphere do interesting things as the temperatures change. Prevailing winds in the doldrums are very weak, and the weather is unusually calm.The ITCZ straddles the Equator. The wind was named after British sailor Samuel Cromwell, whose name the locals could not pronounce.Hawk: strong, cool breeze blowing westward through Chicago from Lake Michigan.levant: strong winds that blow from the Atlantic Ocean through the narrow Strait of Gibraltar in the western Mediterranean Sea. The complex relationships between fronts cause different types of wind and weather patterns.Prevailing winds are winds that blow from a single direction over a specific area of the Earth. T/F:The inventor of the mercury barometer was Sir Francis Bacon. Ok, so, we now have some idea about the origin of global wind systems that result from pressure gradients at Earth's surface. Solar Heating 2. inward and counter clockwise More specifically, its differences in temperature between different areas. 25 Q The pressure gradient force is directed from higher to lower pressure: A T/F:The main cause of the sea breeze is the unequal heating of land and water. The strongest winds in the solar system, however, belong to its outermost planet, Neptune.