Question

Because of continents and oceans, the real Earth exhibits a planetary-scale circulation that is more complex than that presented in the figure. However, there are identifiable wind belts and pressure systems that more or less resemble the idealized pattern. For example, Northern Hemispheric midlatitude surface winds are directed on average from the ________.

a) West
b) East
c) North
d) South

Answer 1

Northern Hemispheric midlatitude surface winds are typically directed from the west due to the rotation of the Earth and the resulting Coriolis force.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Northern Hemispheric midlatitude surface winds are directed on average from the west.

Earth's rotation has significant consequences on the weather systems and wind patterns, primarily due to the Coriolis force. In the Northern Hemisphere, this force deflects moving air to the right, which—when combined with pressure systems—creates prevailing wind patterns. The midlatitude winds, often referred to as the westerlies, are a clear manifestation of this effect.

The Coriolis force also contributes to the characteristic counterclockwise rotation of low-pressure systems like hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere. Overall, the observed wind belts and pressure systems form as air flows between high and low pressure regions, distorted by the planet's rotation, giving rise to distinct wind belts such as the midlatitude westerlies.