Unit 4: Global Weather Patterns

What is the main cause of global convection currents?

• Deforestation

• Uneven heating of the Earth by the Sun

• The greenhouse effect

• The increase in the number of cities

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Energy from the Sun is transferred from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere, resulting in atmospheric convection currents that produce winds. How do physical properties of the air contribute to convection currents?

• The warmer air sinks because it is more dense than cooler air.

• The warmer air rises because it is more dense than cooler air.

• The warmer air sinks because it is less dense than cooler air.

• The warmer air rises because it is less dense than cooler air.

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How do convection currents form?

• When heated air expands, it becomes less dense, rises, and displaces cooler, more dense air, which moves downward.

• When heated air expands, it becomes more dense, falls downward, and displaces cooler, less dense air, which rises.

• When cooled air contracts, it becomes less dense, falls downward, and displaces warmer, more dense air, which rises.

• When cooled air contracts, it becomes more dense, rises, and displaces warmer, less dense air, which falls downward.

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If the weather map above is from today’s forecast, which city is most likely to see its temperatures rise tomorrow?

• Chicago

• Houston

• Denver

• Memphis

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If the weather map above shows today’s forecast, which city is least likely to have precipitation in the next 24 hours?

• Portland

• Chicago

• Memphis

• Houston

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If the weather map above shows today’s forecast, how is the weather in the two cities pictured most likely going to change in the next 24 hours?

• Memphis will get colder and Houston will get warmer. Both cities are likely to have precipitation.

• Memphis will get warmer and Houston will get colder. Both cities are likely to have precipitation.

• Memphis will get colder and Houston will get warmer. Both cities are not likely to have precipitation.

• Memphis will get warmer and Houston will get colder. Both cities are not likely to have precipitation.

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When watching the local meteorologist on television or when looking at a weather map online, there are often maps with an “L”, as seen below. The “L” represents an area of low atmospheric pressure on the surface of the Earth.

What is most likely occurring in the atmosphere in the area located at the “L” on the map above?

• The air is descending at this location causing clear skies.

• The air is descending at this location causing cloudy skies.

• The air is rising at this location causing clear skies.

• The air is rising at this location causing cloudy skies.

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Observe the weather map. Which city is most likely experiencing clear weather?

• City A

• City B

• City D

• City F

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Where do hurricanes typically form?

• In oceans further away from the equator because the water stays relatively cool

• In oceans near the equator because the water stays relatively cool

• In oceans further away from the equator because the water stays relatively warm

• In oceans near the equator because the water stays relatively warm

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The term El Niño in meteorology describes a prolonged warming period in the Pacific Ocean near the equator. The increase in surface water temperature caused by El Niño can last up to two years.

What is the most likely effect of El Niño conditions?

• A decrease in severe storms originating from the Pacific Ocean

• An increase in hurricanes originating from the Pacific Ocean

• A decrease in precipitation along Pacific coastal regions

• An increase in stationary fronts developing along Pacific coastal regions

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