Jet Streams & Wind
What direction do jet streams generally move, and how does this affect U.S. weather?
West to east; they carry weather systems across the country.
Why does air pressure decrease the higher you go up a mountain?
There’s less air above you, so the pressure is lower.
What causes warm air to rise and cold air to sink?
Temperature differences make warm air less dense and cold air more dense.
What is the main reason Earth’s equator is warmer than the poles?
The Sun’s energy is more direct at the equator.
How is weather different from climate?
Weather is short-term conditions; climate is the long-term average.
Why would a shift in the jet stream change temperatures in a region?
It can move warm or cold air masses into that area.
How does a low-pressure system usually affect weather?
It brings clouds and possibly precipitation.
Describe a convection current in the ocean using the equator and the poles. (Hint: conveyor belt)
Warm water from the equator moves toward the poles; cold water sinks and returns toward the equator.
How does the uneven heating of Earth cause wind?
Warm air rises, cool air sinks, creating movement—wind.
Why do coastal cities usually have milder temperatures than inland cities?
The ocean keeps temperatures more stable.
Explain how global wind belts like the trade winds and westerlies affect the movement of storms.
They guide the path of weather systems, including hurricanes and storms.
Compare the air pressure inside a balloon to the air outside it. Which is higher, and why?
Inside is higher because the balloon is pushing outward.
Why do global convection currents exist in the atmosphere?
Because the Sun heats Earth unevenly—warm at the equator, cold at the poles.
How does the Sun power both wind and ocean currents?
It heats air and water unevenly, causing movement.
What geographic feature can block moisture and create deserts on one side?
Mountains (rain shadow effect).
Why do pilots try to fly within or avoid jet streams?
Jet streams can speed up or slow down planes depending on direction.
What kind of weather would you expect with a sudden drop in atmospheric pressure? Explain why.
Likely stormy weather—low pressure allows air to rise and form clouds.
How do ocean currents affect the climate of nearby land areas?
Warm currents make areas warmer; cold currents can cool the coast.
Why is the Coriolis effect important in predicting global wind and storm patterns?
It explains the curved paths of winds and helps forecast storm movement
Explain how warm ocean currents like the Gulf Stream affect northern Europe’s climate.
They bring warm water, making the climate milder than expected for its latitude.
Predict what could happen to weather in the U.S. if the polar jet stream dips farther south than usual.
Colder air could reach more southern states, causing cooler-than-normal weather.
Use what you know about pressure to explain why hurricanes form over warm ocean water.
Warm water heats the air, lowering pressure and causing air to rise and spiral.
Explain how wind, water temperature, and salinity all interact in deep ocean current formation.
Wind moves surface water, while differences in temperature and salt content cause water to sink or rise.
Why do deserts form near 30° latitude instead of the equator?
Air sinks at 30° latitude, making the climate dry.
Two cities are at the same latitude—one by the ocean, one inland. Why do they have different climates?
The ocean affects temperature more, keeping the coastal city more moderate.