Homework #8: Global & Local Wind Patterns Name _________________________________________ Physical Elements (Geography 1) Circle Class: 7:45 am 9:30 am 11:15am 1. Components of the Global Wind System Match the components of Earth’s global circulation system with their descriptions. ______ 1. Wind system of the mid latitudes that shifts with the Jet Stream ______ 2. Cold dry winds associated with a low pressure system above 50º to 60º lat ______ 3. Meeting ground of the Polar Easterlies & Westerlies where widespread cloudiness and storms are common ______ 4. Low pressure trough of weak horizontal airflow that shifts with the sun’s heat and is associated with clouds & rain; also know as the “Doldrums” ______ 5. Very reliable “winds of commerce” that flow toward the low pressure region of the Equator ______ 6. Cold deserts associated with sinking air & very low sun angles ______ 7. Associated with weak winds and clear skies created by air that sinks at about 30º lat latitude north & south of the Equator A = Subtropical Highs B = Trade Winds C = Westerlies D = Polar Highs E = Polar Easterlies F = Subpolar Lows G = ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone) 2. The Jet Stream a. Go to the website: http://www.intellicast.com. Using the menu bar at the top, select “National”. Scroll down the choices, select “Wind” & move your cursor to the right to select “Jet Stream.” This will bring up a map of the current Jet Stream flow across the U.S. Look for the path of the fastest wind you see. This is the “core” of the Jet Stream. SKETCH IT ON THE MAP below using arrowheads to indicate the direction of its flow. b. How fast is its maximum speed? ____________ mph c. Which global wind system is it part of? ____________________________________________ d. Which latitudes doe it travel through? ____________________________________________ 3. Local Wind Patterns a. DRAW ARROWS to show the horizontal and/or vertical air flow in each of the diagrams below. b. LABEL HIGH & LOW PRESSURE AREAS by writing “H” or “L” in the white circles provided. c. LABEL the appropriate diagram as: “Sea Breeze” “Land Breeze” “Valley Breeze” “Mountain Breeze” NIGHT DAY DAY NIGHT 4. Weather & Weather Maps on the Web a. Go to the website: http://www.intellicast.com. Type in “Torrance, California” and hit “enter” to find the local weather. Record the following: Pressure: ____________ (= barometric pressure) Is this higher or lower than average? __________________ (Average air pressure at sea level is 29.92“) Current temperature: _______________º F Humidity: _______________ Wind speed ________________ b. Look at the 10‐day Forecast. Circle the general prediction for this coming Wednesday. Sunny/Clear Wind direction (if given) ______________________ Partly cloudy Showers (Will I need an umbrella?) ______