Weather and Climate: Practice Questions

• a.

  Anemometer

• b.

  Rain gauge

• c.

  Thermometer

• d.

  Barometer

• a.

  The Coriolis force is significantly stronger at higher altitudes, dispersing all trapped heat energy.

• b.

  Higher altitudes have a much higher surface albedo that reflects almost all terrestrial radiation back to space.

• c.

  Air at higher altitudes is less dense and absorbs less longwave radiation emitted from the Earth's surface.

• d.

  Air at higher altitudes receives significantly less direct shortwave solar radiation from the Sun.

• a.

  Winds originate in the Northern Hemisphere and are deflected to the left by the Coriolis force as they move towards the low-pressure region over Australia.

• b.

  Winds originate from the Southern Hemisphere as Southeast Trade Winds and are deflected to the right by the Coriolis force upon crossing the Equator, becoming southwesterly winds.

• c.

  Winds originate from the Southern Hemisphere as Southwest Trade Winds and are deflected to the left by the Coriolis force upon crossing the Equator, becoming southeasterly winds.

• d.

  Winds blow directly northwards from high pressure in the Southern Hemisphere and are accelerated straight ahead by higher sea surface temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere.

• a.

  The sea heats up faster than the land, creating a low-pressure area over the sea that draws cooler air from the land.

• b.

  The sea cools down faster than the land, creating a high-pressure area over the sea that pushes air toward the land.

• c.

  The land cools down faster than the sea, creating a high-pressure area over land that pushes air out toward the sea.

• d.

  The land heats up faster than the sea, creating a low-pressure area over land that draws cooler air in from the sea.

• a.

  High mean annual temperatures, a small annual temperature range of less than \(3^\circ\text{C}\), and high rainfall throughout the year.

• b.

  High mean annual temperatures, a distinct dry season lasting over six months, and a large annual temperature range exceeding \(15^\circ\text{C}\).

• c.

  High diurnal temperature variation exceeding \(25^\circ\text{C}\), very low annual precipitation below \(250\text{ mm}\), and strong seasonal monsoons.

• d.

  Mild summer temperatures, sub-zero winter temperatures, and moderate rainfall distributed evenly across all four seasons.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.