Hurricane, Jet Stream, Gulf Stream

Hurricanes that hit the east coast of the United States often start as low-pressure systems

off the west coast of Africa. Which global winds move these hurricanes toward the United

States?

• polar easterlies

• prevailing westerlies

• northeast trade winds

• southeast trade winds

Why do hurricanes die out soon after hitting landfall?

• Cloud types change.

• Warm water no longer feeds them.

• Rotation of the storm changes direction.

Why do most storms move from the west coast of America to the east

coast?

• Polar Easterlies

• South East Trade Winds

• North East Trade Winds

• Prevailing Westerlies

Which country would Great Britain’s climate be most like if the Gulf Stream and the Labrador Current did not exist?

• South Africa

• South America

• Canada

• Antarctica

Which has the greatest effect on the movement of the jet stream?

• size of clouds

• amount of precipitation

• differences in air temperatures

What will most likely result when the jet stream moves south of North

Carolina?

• North Carolina will experience tropical weather conditions.

• North Carolina will experience hot, dry weather.

• North Carolina will experience mild weather.

• North Carolina will experience cold weather.

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.

The polar jet stream is an air current that flows across North America. It flows much faster

in winter than it does in summer. Why is it faster in the winter?

• Northern air has more oxygen in winter.

• Northern air is warmer in winter.

• Northern air is colder in winter.

• Northern air is drier in winter.

Where do hurricanes form?

• in the ocean near warm areas

• in the ocean near cold areas

• in large lakes near cold areas

• in large lakes near warm areas

Which best describes a storm surge?

• low ocean tides

• a fall in sea level

• a rise of ocean water

• strong ocean currents