17 General Circulation

According to the General Circulation theory, what is the general direction of the transfer of heat within the Earth’s atmosphere?

• from high latitudes to low latitudes

• from low latitudes to high latitudes

• from the east to towards the west

• from the west towards the east

Given that the atmospheric circulation patterns shift with the seasons, what direction do jet streams, semi-stationary Highs and Lows and mid-level pressure systems tend to move during the southern hemisphere’s summer?

• Eastwards

• Northwards

• Southwards

• Westwards

Which of the following text is a true statement?

• In high zonal index situations, upper waves display large fluctuations and low tropospheric weather systems move at relatively high speed from west to east

• In high zonal index situations, upper waves display large fluctuations and low tropospheric weather systems move at relatively high speed from east to west

• In high zonal index situations, upper waves do not display large fluctuations and low tropospheric weather systems move at relatively high speed from west to east

• In low zonal index situations, upper waves display large fluctuations and low tropospheric weather systems move at relatively high speed from west to east

• In low zonal index situations, upper waves do not display large fluctuations and low tropospheric weather systems move at relatively high speed from east to west

Where approximately (plus or minus 5 degrees of latitude) are Rossby Waves located in the southern hemisphere?

• on the equatorial side of latitude 30°S

• on the polar side of latitude 30°S

• on the polar side of latitude 60°S

• on the equatorial side of latitude 60°S

Choose the appropriate word set to add to the following text in order to make a true statement.

The term ‘zonal index’ refers to the strength of the mid-latitude ….

• Lower-level westerly winds

• Polar jet streams

• Sub-tropical jet streams

• Upper-level westerly winds

Define the term 'short atmospheric waves'

• 8 wavelengths or greater

• 1-2 wavelengths

• 3-4 wavelengths

• 0 wavelengths

Which of the following text is a true statement?

• During a high zonal index situation, pressure systems in the lower tropopause move eastward at slower speeds compared with high index situations

• During a high zonal index situation, pressure systems in the lower tropopause move eastward at faster speeds compared with high index situations

• During a low zonal index situation, pressure systems in the lower tropopause move eastward at slower speeds compared with high index situations

• During a low zonal index situation, pressure systems in the lower tropopause move eastward at faster speeds compared with high index situations

The illustration depicts a low zonal index situation. What area on the illustration is experiencing 'subsidence? (Sth. Hemisphere)

• None - No area is experiencing subsidence

• A

• B

Select the set of words that, when inserted in the appropriate gaps of this text, produces a TRUE statement

When a blocking High situation develops, the normal high-level pressure distribution is (i) …………………. due to the splitting of the upper zonal (ii) …………………. winds

• (i) reversed (ii) westerly

• (i) strengthened (ii) westerly

• (i) reversed (ii) easterly

• (i) strengthened (ii) easterly

Which regions of New Zealand are likely to experience cloudy sky conditions with the possibility of fog in wintertime when a blocking high forms to the east of New Zealand in the vicinity of the Chatham Islands?

• the east coast of the South Island

• the north / northwest coast of the South Island

• the north / northwest cost of the North Island

• the west coast of the South Island