Final answer:
The true statement among the options provided is D, which says that winds develop whenever a pressure gradient exists and blow from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas. This is in line with meteorological principles where wind is caused by differences in atmospheric pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Weather Map Features
Meteorologists extensively use weather maps to predict and describe weather patterns. Important features on these maps include high-pressure (H) and low-pressure (L) areas, which have significant effects on weather conditions. The lines depicted are known as isobars, which connect points of equal atmospheric pressure.
Isobars are crucial in understanding wind patterns. Surface winds do not blow parallel to isobars but slightly at an angle due to the Coriolis effect. This effect makes winds in the Northern Hemisphere deflect to the right and in the Southern Hemisphere to the left. Hence, surface winds tend to spiral out of high-pressure areas and spiral into low-pressure areas.
Regarding solar radiation, areas that receive solar rays more directly will generally experience higher levels of insolation compared to areas receiving oblique solar radiation. This is because direct rays concentrate energy over a smaller surface area.
To address the question, the true statement has to be option D. Winds develop whenever a pressure gradient exists, and because of the pressure difference, they blow from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.