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When midlatitude upper-air long waves in the westerlies exhibit relatively small north-south amplitudes, the flow pattern is described as zonal. A meridional flow pattern occurs when long waves in the westerlies exhibit large north-south swings. Greater poleward heat transport accompanies a ______ flow pattern.

a) Zonal
b) Meridional
c) Westerly
d) Easterly

User BRBT
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Final answer:

Greater poleward heat transport is associated with a meridional flow pattern, which results in more pronounced movements of air masses and greater exchange of warm and cold air compared to a zonal flow pattern.

Step-by-step explanation:

Greater poleward heat transport accompanies a meridional flow pattern. This type of flow pattern occurs when long waves in the westerlies exhibit large north-south swings, as opposed to a zonal flow pattern, which has smaller north-south amplitudes.

Meridional flow is characterized by significant north-south movement of air masses, allowing for greater mixing of warm tropical air moving poleward and cold polar air moving toward the equator. This dynamic exchange leads to more significant weather events and a more notable transport of heat across different latitudes. The zonal flow, in contrast, tends to keep the weather systems more horizontally aligned and typically leads to less dramatic changes in weather. Yet, it is with the meridional flow where there is a heightened degree of heat transport due to the pronounced displacement of air masses.

User Greg Hinch
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