Which 5 forces explain all relationships between the winds we observe and the patterns of isobars/height contours on weather maps?

Gravity, Coriolis effect, friction, pressure gradient force, centripetal force

_________ air wind are parallel to isobars while _____________ winds go at different angles to isobars.

Upper, surface

Pressure gradient = change in ____________ over change in _____________

pressure, distance

Air goes from _________ to _________ pressure.

high to low

The Coriolis force causes winds to deviate __________ in the northern hemisphere, ________ in the southern hemisphere and _____________ at the equator

right, left, not at all/none

The Coriolis force is more exaggerated at _______ __________ __________ or closer to the __________

higher winds speeds, equator

The force of friction increases with 2 things :

movement (wind speeds) and the roughness of surfaces (the Earth)

What are the two types of momentum exchange? Which is has more dramatic effects on Earth?

The random movement of molecules in laminar flow and eddies, eddies are more dramatic

Momentum due to eddies transfers the effects of friction higher into the atmosphere and produces _______ ________________ which we experience as _______

eddy viscosity, wind

The effects of friction transfer better with what 3 things?

high wind speeds, lots of surface roughness, and lots of surface heating

What 3 things work to increase the planetary boundary layer?

rough surfaces, fast winds, unstable environmental lapse rate

What is the correct order?

• feedback processes
• balanced forces
• Air moves from high to low pressure (pressure gradient force)
• other forces take action

1. Air moves from high to low pressure (pressure gradient force)
2. other forces take action
3. feedback processes
4. balanced forces

What are the 3 types of winds we discussed?

Geostrophic winds (V_g), Gradient winds (V_gr), and surface winds

Geostrophic winds happen (above/below) the planetary boundary layer because _____________ is negligible there.

above, friction

Regarding geostrophic winds, what is happening after the first step in this timeline (ie, what forces are taking action?, what feedback processes are happening? what does it mean when the forces are balanced?)?

Air moves from high to low pressure (pressure gradient force) ---> other forces take action ---> feedback processes ---> balanced forces

Air moves from high to low pressure (pressure gradient force) ---> Coriolis force takes action ---> feedback processes (continuous changing of direction) ---> balanced forces (wind parallel to isobar because PGF and CF are equal)

Regarding gradient winds, what is happening after the first step in this timeline (ie, what forces are taking action?, what feedback processes are happening? what does it mean when the forces are balanced?)?

Air moves from high to low pressure (pressure gradient force) ---> other forces take action ---> feedback processes ---> balanced forces

Air moves from high to low pressure (pressure gradient force) ---> centripetal force and Coriolis effect take action ---> feedback processes (PGF, wind speed, Coriolis force and centripetal force if isobars are curved) ---> balanced forces (net force is being directed at centre of rotation, wind parallel to isobars)

Why does wind deaccelerate coming out of a ridge? Why does it accelerate coming out of a trough?

converges (like a pileup on the highway), diverges to fill a void (lots of space for it)

In the upper atmosphere gradient winds affected by areas of high pressure extend ________ and areas of low pressure extend _______

north, south

Regarding surface winds, what is happening after the first step in this timeline (ie, what forces are taking action?, what feedback processes are happening? what does it mean when the forces are balanced?)?

Air moves from high to low pressure (pressure gradient force) ---> other forces take action ---> feedback processes ---> balanced forces

Air moves from high to low pressure (pressure gradient force) ---> friction and Coriolis force take action ---> feedback processes (friction reduces wind speed which weakens the Coriolis force, no longer kept perpendicular to the PGF)---> balanced forces (slowed wind crossing isobars at an angle)

In cyclones air is crossing isobars going around a _____ pressure point and causing ____________. In anticyclones air is crossing isobars around a _________ pressure point and ____________ _________.

low, clouds, high, dispersing clouds

Which is faster, horizontal or vertical movements in the atmosphere?

horizontal

Pressure ___________ slower with height in ___________ air than with cold air

decreases, warm

In barotropic weather ______________ and ______________ are parallel, wind speed ____________ with height and its _____________ is constant.

isotherms and isobars, increases, direction

In baroclinic weather isotherms and isobars (are/are not) parallel, wind speed ____________ with height and its direction (is/is not) constant.

are not, is not

Baroclinic weather produces thermal ______________.

advection

Baroclinic weather is most common in the ___________ _________________.

lower troposphere