Weather Review 3

Global winds over the United States blow in which direction?

• east to west
• north to south
• south to west
• west to east

Many summer storms in North Carolina are caused by air masses moving from which area?

• Virginia
• Africa
• Pacific Ocean
• Gulf of Mexico

Which weather pattern MOST influences the weather in North Carolina?

• polar easterlies
• tropical easterlies
• tropical westerlies
• prevailing westerlies

Which BEST describes a characteristic of the jet stream?

• It forms a boundary between a cold air mass and a warm air mass
• It creates the high winds around the eye of a hurricane
• It forces the hot air along the equator to rise to areas in North America
• It causes high pressure air masses to rotate clockwise.

Which is MOST LIKELY an effect of the Gulf Stream?

• heavy rains in California
• severe drought in Australia
• milder winter temperatures in Florida

Why would residents along the coast of North Carolina MOST LIKELY be concerned about a strong La Nina event in August?

• La Nina returns every 2-7 years
• La Nina can mean an active hurricane season
• La Nina can mean a decrease in winter participation
• La Nina is associated with very warm ocean temperatures

During winter, which winds deliver cold air that enters North Carolina?

• polar westerlies
• prevailing westerlies
• northeast trade winds
• southeast trade winds

How does the Gulf Stream impact hurricane development off the coast of the southeastern United States?

• Cold water from the Gulf Stream increases the speed and intensity of the hurricane
• Cold water from the Gulf Stream decreases the speed and intensity of the hurricane
• Warm water from the Gulf Stream increases the speed and intensity of the hurricane
• Warm water from the Gulf Stream decreases the speed and intensity of the hurricane

How does a sea breeze affect the weather?

• it decreases land temperatures near the ocean
• it increases land temperatures near the ocean
• it decreases rain formation over land near the ocean
• it increases the cloud coverage over the land near the ocean

What is the major source of energy for tropical storms?

• frozen river beds
• warm ocean waters
• cold and drafty waters