Climate and Weather Quiz

Earth's land areas, oceans, and atmosphere maintain fairly constant average temperatures. What is the BEST explanation for these constant average temperatures?

• Earth's Northern and Southern Hemispheres have opposite seasons

• Earth is tilted and rotates daily on its axis

• The continuous motion of air and water distributes the sun's energy

• Local weather systems generally move from west to east

Answer explanation

The continuous motion of air and water helps to evenly distribute the sun's energy across the Earth's surface, maintaining stable average temperatures in land areas, oceans, and the atmosphere.

How does the ocean affect the climate of coastal areas during winter?

• The ocean helps keep the temperatures warmer than those in inland areas

• The ocean helps keep the temperatures cooler than those in inland areas

• The ocean has no effect on coastal areas

• The ocean causes unusual weather patterns during winter

Answer explanation

The ocean moderates temperatures, preventing extreme cold in coastal areas during winter. This results in warmer temperatures compared to inland areas, making the first answer choice correct.

Based on the information provided in the weather map, what type of weather did Portland, Oregon most likely experience 24 hours ago?

• Warm and sunny weather

• Cold and sunny weather

• Warm and rainy weather

• Cold and cloudy weather

Answer explanation

The weather map likely indicated clear skies and low temperatures, suggesting that Portland experienced cold and sunny weather 24 hours ago, making this the most fitting choice.

Which of the following BEST explains what creates a land breeze?

• The rotation of the Earth makes the air also rotate

• The mass of the Earth causes gravity to create area pressure

• Salt in the ocean makes the ocean more dense than the land, so it pulls on the air above with more force

• During the evening, the land cools off more quickly than the water causing differences in air pressure and temperature

Answer explanation

During the evening, land cools faster than water, leading to lower air pressure over the land compared to the water. This pressure difference causes air to move from the land to the water, creating a land breeze.

What does the "H" symbol on the weather map represent?

• Low pressure system

• High pressure system

• Hurricane

• Heat wave

What does the "L" symbol on the weather map represent?

• Low pressure system

• High pressure system

• Lightning

• Land breeze

What is the main reason for the formation of a cold front?

• Warm air moving over cold air

• Cold air moving under warm air

• No movement of air

• Equal temperatures on both sides

What is the typical direction of a land breeze at night?

• From the land to the sea

• From the sea to the land

• Parallel to the coastline

• Straight up into the atmosphere

What is the effect of a sea breeze on coastal temperatures during the day?

• Warms the coast

• Cools the coast

• Has no effect

• Causes rain

What causes land and sea breezes?

• The rotation of the Earth

• Differences in air pressure due to uneven heating

• Ocean currents

• The gravitational pull of the moon

Answer explanation

Land and sea breezes are caused by differences in air pressure due to uneven heating of land and water. During the day, land heats up faster than the sea, creating a pressure difference that causes air to move from sea to land, forming a sea breeze.