Global Atmospheric Circulation

Multiple Choice

What major ocean current influences the weather on the East Coast of the United States?

• Caribbean Current

• Gulf Stream

• Jet Stream

• Labrador Current

Gulf Stream

Definition: ​The Gulf Stream is a strong ocean current that brings warm water from the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic Ocean. It extends all the way up the eastern coast of the United States and Canada.

​This strong current of warm water influences the climate of the east coast of Florida, keeping temperatures there warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than the other southeastern states. Since the Gulf Stream also extends toward Europe, it warms western European countries as well.

Gulf Stream: How is it caused?

The Gulf Stream is caused by a large system of circular currents and powerful winds, called an oceanic gyre. There are five oceanic gyres on Earth. The Gulf Stream is part of the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre.​

Multiple Choice

What are global winds?

• Winds that occur in belts that go all around the planet.

• Winds that blow over a limited area

• Prevailing winds from the west toward the east in the middle latitudes between 30 and 60 degrees

Global Winds

Global winds are winds that occur in belts that go all around the planet. Like local winds, global winds are caused by unequal heating of the atmosphere. Winds blow on a diagonal over the surface due to Coriolis effect.​

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There are 3 types of global winds:

the trade winds, the prevailing westerlies, and the polar easterlies​

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​What do global winds do?

The global atmospheric circulation pattern is determined by temperature differences, especially the difference between heating at the equator and the poles, and by the Earth's rotation.

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Winds shape regional climate and influence daily weather by transporting heat and water.​

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Multiple Choice

How does the Coriolis Effect impact Global Winds?

• It causes wind direction and speed to change randomly.

• It causes wind direction to change while it does not affect wind speed.

• It causes wind speed to increase while it does not affect wind direction

• It causes wind speed to decrease while it does not affect wind direction.

Coriolis Effect​

​Because the Earth rotates on its axis, circulating air is deflected toward the right in the Northern Hemisphere and toward the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This deflection is called the Coriolis effect.

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Multiple Choice

What is a jet stream?

• Fast flowing, narrow, meandering air currents in the atmospheres

• Trade winds

• Prevailing winds moving east to west.

• Prevailing winds moving west to east.

​Jet Stream

​Jet streams are fast flowing, narrow, meandering air currents in the atmospheres. On Earth, the main jet streams are located near the altitude of the troposphere and are westerly winds.

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Jet streams form when warm air masses meet cold air masses in the atmosphere.

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Multiple Choice

What does the term leeward mean in regards to a mountain?

• Facing the wind or situated on the side facing the wind.

• Situated on or toward the side sheltered from the wind; downwind

Multiple Choice

What does the term windward mean in regards to a mountain?

• Situated on or toward the side sheltered from the wind; downwind.

• Facing the wind or situated on the side facing the wind.

​Leeward & Windward

Multiple Choice

The term used to describe the way that currents are deflected off of continental land masses is

• Continental Deflection

• Continental Divide

• Continental Convection

Continental Deflection

​Continental deflection is the term used to describe the way that currents are deflected off of continental land masses. The water in the current collides with the continent and is deflected into a different direction.

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The sea current flows towards the continents and cannot continue due to the landmass blocking the way. This forces the current to deflect away from the landmass. The deflection happens according the angles of the continent with relation to the ocean current. Thus it effects will be different due to the vast differences along the world’s coastlines.

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Open Ended

What are some things that impact convection currents in the atmosphere?

Open Ended

What are some things that impact convection currents in the ocean?