Chapter 9 – Wind: Small-Scale and Local Systems
1. The atmospheric motion scale that includes individual thunderstorms and tornadoes is
called:
A. Planetary scale
B. Synoptic scale
C. Mesoscale
D. Microscale
E. Global scale
2. The primary influence of Earth's surface on air flow near the ground is:
A. Increasing the Coriolis force
B. Increasing air pressure
C. Creating friction and turbulence
D. Reducing the pressure gradient
E. Eliminating convection
3. Wind gusts are mainly caused by:
A. Solar radiation
B. Turbulent mixing of air with different momentum
C. Precipitation
D. Changes in gravity
E. Ocean tides
4. Mechanical turbulence is produced by:
A. Uneven surface heating
B. Radiational cooling
C. Air flowing over rough surfaces and obstacles
D. Cloud condensation
E. Wind convergence
5. Thermal turbulence primarily results from:
A. Horizontal pressure differences
B. Uneven heating of Earth's surface
C. Earth's rotation
D. Rainfall
E. Ocean currents
6. Why are near-surface winds typically stronger during the afternoon?
A. The Coriolis force is stronger.
B. Atmospheric pressure increases.
C. Turbulence mixes faster-moving air from aloft downward.
D. Surface friction decreases.
E. Air temperature decreases.
7. Atmospheric eddies may form due to:
A. Topographic obstacles
B. Differential heating
C. Wind speed variations
D. Buildings and trees
E. All of the above
8. The term "air pocket" reported by airline passengers most likely refers to:
A. A vacuum in the atmosphere
B. An area of extremely low pressure
C. A downdraft or strong turbulence
D. A region without oxygen
E. A gravity wave
9. Wind shear is defined as:
A. A change in temperature with height
B. A change in humidity with height
C. A change in wind speed and/or direction over a distance
D. A drop in air pressure
E. A change in precipitation rate
10. Clear Air Turbulence (CAT) is most commonly associated with:
A. Dense fog
B. Strong wind shear
C. Heavy rain
D. Snowstorms
E. Hail
11. Shelterbelts protect crops primarily by:
A. Increasing atmospheric moisture
B. Reducing wind speed near the surface
C. Increasing rainfall
D. Lowering air pressure
E. Preventing evaporation completely
12. The three most important factors controlling the growth of large wind-generated waves
are:
A. Salinity, temperature, and depth
B. Pressure, humidity, and fetch
C. Wind speed, wind duration, and fetch
D. Wind direction, salinity, and pressure
E. Ocean currents, depth, and fetch
13. Large ocean waves can occur on a clear and calm day because:
A. Swells may have traveled from distant storms
B. Local air pressure is high
C. Local winds are weak
D. Evaporation rates are high
E. The ocean surface is warm
14. A sea breeze develops because:
A. Water heats faster than land
B. Land heats faster than water during the day
C. Water always has lower pressure
D. The Coriolis force reverses wind direction
E. Convection stops over land
15. During the daytime, which atmospheric condition is most favorable for the development
of a strong sea breeze?
A. Extensive cloud cover over land
B. A large temperature contrast between land and sea
C. Strong offshore winds
D. Uniform temperatures over land and water
E. A strong temperature inversion over the ocean
16. A valley breeze occurs when:
A. Cool air flows downslope at night
B. Warm air rises upslope during the day
C. Sea breeze moves inland toward mountains
D. A temperature inversion develops
E. High pressure forms at mountaintops
17. Chinook winds are best described as:
A. Cold and moist
B. Cold and dry
C. Warm and dry
D. Warm and humid
E. Cool and unstable
18. Strong Santa Ana winds are typically associated with:
A. Low pressure over inland California
B. High pressure over the Great Basin
C. Tropical cyclones
D. Summer monsoon conditions
E. Sea-breeze circulation
19. Dust devils most commonly form during:
A. Cold winter nights
B. Hot sunny afternoons with strong surface heating
C. Heavy rainfall events
D. Snowstorms
E. Dense fog conditions
20. An upper-level wind direction of 315° indicates that the wind is blowing:
A. From the north
B. From the northeast
C. From the east
D. From the northwest
E. From the southwest
Kunci Jawaban:
No. Ans. No. Ans. No. Ans. No. Ans.
1 D 6 C 11 B 16 B
2 C 7 E 12 C 17 C
3 B 8 C 13 A 18 B
4 C 9 C 14 B 19 B
5 B 10 B 15 B 20 D