11. Global Wind Distribution

Question 1

Term

Answer 1

Definition

Question 2

Coriolis Effect

Answer 2

The effect of Earth’s rotation on the direction of winds and currents.

Question 3

Doldrums

Answer 3

Equatorial regions of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans with calms, sudden storms, and light unpredictable winds.

Question 4

Easterlies

Answer 4

Winds blowing from the east, typically found at latitudes above 60 degrees in both hemispheres.

Question 5

Ferrel Cell

Answer 5

A mid-latitude atmospheric circulation cell for weather patterns.

Question 6

Geostrophic Wind

Answer 6

A wind that is balanced by the Coriolis force and the pressure gradient force.

Question 7

Hadley Cell

Answer 7

A tropical atmospheric circulation that features rising motion near the equator, flowing poleward at high altitudes, sinking at the subtropics, and then returning equatorward near the surface.

Question 8

Horse Latitudes

Answer 8

Subtropical regions located at about 30 degrees north and south, known for calm winds.

Question 9

Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

Answer 9

The region that circles the Earth, near the equator, where the trade winds of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres come together.

Question 10

Jet Stream

Answer 10

Fast flowing, narrow air currents found in the atmosphere around 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth.

Question 11

Katabatic Wind

Answer 11

A wind that carries high density air from a higher elevation down a slope under the force of gravity.

Question 12

Monsoon

Answer 12

Seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea.

Question 13

Northeaster

Answer 13

A wind or storm from the northeast.

Question 14

Ocean Currents

Answer 14

The continuous, directed movement of seawater generated by forces acting upon it such as wind, the Coriolis effect, breaking waves, and temperature and salinity differences.

Question 15

Polar Cell

Answer 15

Atmospheric circulation in the polar regions characterized by cold sinking air that flows from the poles towards lower latitudes.

Question 16

Roaring Forties

Answer 16

Strong westerly winds found in the Southern Hemisphere, generally between the latitudes of 40 and 50 degrees.

Question 17

Southeaster

Answer 17

Winds or storms that come from the southeast.

Question 18

Trade Winds

Answer 18

Prevailing pattern of easterly surface winds found in the tropics within the lower portion of the Earth’s atmosphere, in the lower section of the troposphere near the Earth’s equator.

Question 19

Upwelling

Answer 19

A process in which deep, cold water rises toward the surface.

Question 20

Westerlies

Answer 20

Winds from the west that occur in the temperate zones of the Earth.

Question 21

Zonal Flow

Answer 21

Large-scale atmospheric flow in which the east-west component is dominant.

Question 22

Anticyclone

Answer 22

A weather phenomenon characterized by high atmospheric pressure at its center, associated with calm, fine weather.

Question 23

Barometric Pressure

Answer 23

Pressure exerted by the atmosphere at any given point.

Question 24

Cyclone

Answer 24

An area of closed, circular fluid motion rotating in the same direction as the Earth.

Question 25

Diurnal Temperature Variation

Answer 25

The variation between a high temperature and a low temperature that occurs during the same day.

Question 26

Equinox

Answer 26

The time or date at which the sun crosses the celestial equator, when day and night are of approximately equal length.

Question 27

Foehn Wind

Answer 27

A dry, warm, down-slope wind that occurs in the lee of a mountain range.

Question 28

Gulf Stream

Answer 28

A warm, swift Atlantic ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico and flows into the Atlantic at the tip of Florida, accelerating along the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland.

Question 29

Humidity

Answer 29

The amount of water vapor present in the air.

Question 30

Isotherm

Answer 30

A line on a map connecting points having the same temperature at a given time or on average over a given period.

Question 31

Knockdown

Answer 31

A severe form of capsize where a vessel is laid on its side or completely overturned by the force of the wind.