Weather and El Niño

Front

What is a low pressure system?

Back

A weather system that pulls moisture from surrounding areas, often leading to cloud formation and precipitation.

Front

What direction do hurricanes typically move after forming near the equator?

Back

West.

Front

Why is it incorrect to conclude that hurricanes never occur in the Gulf of Mexico based on one year's data?

Back

Because the data is based on only one year, which may not represent long-term trends.

Front

What is the Coriolis effect?

Back

The phenomenon where the direction of ocean currents is altered due to the Earth's rotation.

Front

How do ocean currents affect temperatures on the East and West Coasts of the United States?

Back

Ocean currents from the Tropical Atlantic warm the East Coast, while currents from the Northern Pacific cool the West Coast.

Front

What is El Niño?

Back

A climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, affecting global weather.

Front

What is a hurricane?

Back

A large, organized storm system characterized by strong winds and heavy rain, typically forming over warm ocean waters.

Front

What role does the Gulf of Mexico play in hurricane formation?

Back

The Gulf of Mexico provides warm water, which fuels the development and intensification of hurricanes.

Front

What is the difference between a cold front and a warm front?

Back

A cold front brings cooler air and often storms, while a warm front brings warmer air and is usually associated with light rain.

Front

How does the Earth's rotation affect weather patterns?

Back

The Earth's rotation causes the Coriolis effect, which influences the direction of winds and ocean currents.