Lecture 11: Local and Regional Winds

Question 1

Sea/land breeze

Answer 1

wind blows off the ocean during the day and off land at night, determines where precipitation comes from

determines where percipitation comes from

Question 2

Where does a high pressure system happen

Answer 2

Over water

Question 3

Where does a low pressure system happen

Answer 3

Over land

Question 4

Valley/mountain breeze

Answer 4

at night, air gets cold and sinks resulting in a mountain breeze or downslope because wind is traveling downslope. Valleys warmer during the day due to low elevation

determines pollution transport

Question 5

Urban winds

Answer 5

warmer than surrounding environment resulting in circulation redistributing pollution

Question 6

Chinook

Answer 6

humid air rises up windward side of the mountain and flows down leeward side, compresses and warms

Question 7

Santa Ana

Answer 7

katabatic winds sink and dry, flowing through narrow passes and gaining speed. Brings hot, dry wind to the coast

Causes wildfires

Question 8

Monsoon winds

Answer 8

seasonal shifts in wind direction

Can affect rainfall patterns and creates vegatation variability

Jan: wind flows away from Siberan H
July: land warms, wind blows toward Tibetan L

Question 9

Why do land/water heat differently: Specific heat

Answer 9

energy required to change 1kg of mass by 1 K (takes more energy to heat water)

Question 10

Why do land/water heat differently: More transparent

Answer 10

radiation is deeply transmitted so soil must conduct heat downward only by a meter a day

Question 11

Why do land/water heat differently: Mixes

Answer 11

mixes through waves and turbulence, storing some heat below

Question 12

Why do land/water heat differently: affects the climate

Answer 12

it creates a low temperature variability in water and coastal areas