Met - Global Winds

Question 1

When thinking about the coriolis effect, what is the best way to visualise the earths rotation …..

Answer 1

either from above looking down onto the north pole or from below looking up at the south pole

Question 2

A backing wind is changing direction which way …..

Answer 2

anti-clockwise

Question 3

Coriolis Effect:

Rotation = Clockwise

Deflection = …..

Answer 3

Coriolis Effect:

Rotation = Clockwise

Deflection = Left

Question 3

Coriolis Effect:

Rotation = Anti-clockwise

Deflection = …..

Answer 3

Coriolis Effect:

Rotation = Anti-clockwise

Deflection = Right

Question 4

A gust is defined as ……

Answer 4

lesser duration and magnitude than a squall

Question 4

Which way will a geostrophic wind be blowing …..

Answer 4

straight along the isobars

Question 4

The coriolis eddect explaions the tendency of wind to …..

Answer 4

turn left in the southern hemisphere

Question 5

What happens when the pressure gradient is strong enough to over come the coriolis effect …..

Answer 5

the air swings to the right and a low is formed

Question 5

isobars that are close together indicate 2 things ……

Answer 5

1. Steep pressure gradient
2. Strong winds

Question 5

When the coriolis force is exactly balance by the pressure gradient, the resulting wind is called …..

Answer 5

geostrophic wind

Question 6

Anti-cyclonic flows which way …..

Answer 6

It flows about a high in either hemisphere

Left in the southern hemisphere

Right in the northern hemisphere

Question 7

The pressure gradient changes over a given ….. ……

Answer 7

horizontal distance

Question 8

Coriolis Effect:

Rotation = …..

Deflection = Left

Answer 8

Coriolis Effect:

Rotation = Clockwise

Deflection = Left

Question 9

Buys Ballots Law …..

Answer 9

stand with your back to the wind in the southern hemisphere and the lowest pressure will be on your right hand side

Question 10

The pressure gradient force acts …..

Answer 10

at right angles to the isobars towards the lower pressure

Question 11

If the isobars are widely spread the wind will be …..

Answer 11

weak

Question 12

Which way does the air flow out of a high and why …..

Answer 12

out and to the left - this is because of the coriolis effect

Question 13

Which way will a gradient wind blow ……

Answer 13

it will follow the isobars

Question 14

Backing wind = clockwise/anti-clockwise

Answer 14

anti-clockwise

Question 15

Which way does the earth rotate when looking at it from below at the south pole …..

Answer 15

clockwise

Question 17

Define Backing ……

Answer 17

You’ll need to turn to the left to face the wind i.e. the wind is blowing in your face

Question 19

Veering wind = clockwise/anti-clockwise

Answer 19

Clockwise

Question 19

Geostrophic flow is when there is ……

Answer 19

an exact balance between forces and no tendancy to swing left or right

Question 20

Cyclonic flow in the northern hemisphere flows …..

Answer 20

anti-clockwise

Question 21

In relation to the wind: Surface friction can be ignored above ...... ft

Answer 21

3000ft

Question 22

If you move at right angles to the isobars, the rate of pressure change is .....

Answer 22

at its maximum

Question 23

Define Veering .....

Answer 23

You'll need to turn to the right to face the wind i.e. the wind is blowing in your face

Question 24

Near the equator the coriolis effect is .....

Answer 24

zero

Question 25

Compared to the gradient wind flow, the surface wind over land will .....

Answer 25

veered by 30⁰ and slowed by 2/3

Question 26

What does surface friction do to the wind ......

Answer 26

slows it down

Question 28

Which way will the wind blow in relation to a high at the equator ......

Answer 28

directly out of a high

Question 29

Pressure Gradient: The greater the rate of pressure change the ..... the gradient and the ..... the air moves

Answer 29

steeper, faster

Question 30

over the land surface friction degrades the wind by ......

Answer 30

2/3 in speed and veers by 30⁰

Question 32

Coriolis Effect: Rotation = ..... Deflection = Right

Answer 32

Coriolis Effect: Rotation = Anti-clockwise Deflection = Right

Question 34

Pressure gradient determins ..... ......

Answer 34

wind speed

Question 35

The rate at which pressure changes over a horizontal distance is known as the ..... .....

Answer 35

pressure gradient

Question 37

A squall is defined as ......

Answer 37

16kt - 22kt increase in wind speed

Question 38

What is the dominate force of wind at the equator .....

Answer 38

pressure gradient

Question 39

over the sea surface friction degrades the gradient wind by ......

Answer 39

strength by 1/3 and veering by 10⁰

Question 40

An aircraft flying from a high to low will experience .....

Answer 40

left drift

Question 41

Cyclonic flow in the southern hemispher rotates .....

Answer 41

clockwise

Question 42

Compared to the gradient wind, the surface wind direction in the southern hemisphere can be found to be .....

Answer 42

further to the right in both highs and lows

Question 43

The strength of the pressure gradient force depends most on the .....

Answer 43

spacing of the isobars

Question 44

The term geostrophic wind refers to the steady flow of wind .....

Answer 44

along straight isobars

Question 45

Surface wind, when compared to gradient wind flow is found to be .....

Answer 45

veered to the right and slower

Question 46

Which way will the wind blow in relation to a low at the equator .....

Answer 46

directly into the low