Question

The specific track of an extratropical cyclone's low-pressure center across Earth's surface is largely determined by large-scale horizontal winds blowing ________.

(a) from west to east
(b) from east to west
(c) from north to south
(d) from south to north

Answer 1

The track of an extratropical cyclone is predominantly determined by large-scale winds that blow from a. west to east, significantly influenced by the Coriolis force.

Step-by-step explanation:

The specific track of an extratropical cyclone's low-pressure center across Earth's surface is largely determined by large-scale horizontal winds blowing from west to east. The Coriolis force plays an important role in the behavior of these systems, affecting their rotation direction. In the Northern Hemisphere, the deflection of winds due to the Coriolis effect results in a counterclockwise rotation around low-pressure centers, while in the Southern Hemisphere, the rotation is clockwise. The wind circulation patterns of these systems can be starkly observed from space, with low-pressure areas associated with rising air and cloud formation, and high-pressure areas with sinking air and clear skies.

The specific track of an extratropical cyclone's low-pressure center across Earth's surface is largely determined by large-scale horizontal winds blowing from west to east. In the Northern Hemisphere, these winds are deflected to the right by the Coriolis force, resulting in a counterclockwise circulation around the low-pressure system. This counterclockwise rotation is characteristic of extratropical cyclones, including hurricanes. Conversely, in the Southern Hemisphere, the winds are deflected to the left, producing a clockwise rotation.