Question

How does the wind speed variation change between winter and summer over the North Atlantic between FL300 and FL400?

a. Decreases in winter, increases in summer
b. Increases in winter, decreases in summer
c. Remains constant throughout the year
d. Reverses direction between seasons

Answer 1

The wind speed over the North Atlantic between FL300 and FL400 increases in winter due to stronger temperature gradients and decreases in summer when the gradients are less pronounced.

Step-by-step explanation:

The wind speed variation over the North Atlantic between FL300 (30,000 feet) and FL400 (40,000 feet) changes between winter and summer. During the winter months, the wind speed typically increases because of the stronger temperature gradient between the equator and the poles. Conversely, in the summer, the gradient is less pronounced, leading to a decrease in average wind speed.

Jet streams, which are strong horizontal winds at these flight levels, are driven by these temperature gradients and tend to be stronger during the winter. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that the wind speed increases in winter, and decreases in summer over the North Atlantic between these flight levels.