An easterly wave is located 200 miles due...

🔍 Key Concepts

• Easterly waves generally describe how the wind and disturbance move, not the direction from which you are viewing them • In the tropics north of the equator, trade winds and easterly waves usually move in a consistent direction • Think about what it means when winds are called easterly (similar idea for currents and waves)

💭 Think About

• If something is described as an easterly wave, does it travel toward the east or toward the west? How is the term "easterly" normally used in meteorology? • If the wave is 200 miles due west of you now, and it moves in its normal direction for 24 hours, will its new position be closer to you, farther from you, and on which side? • Visualize a simple east–west line: put yourself at the origin, mark the wave 200 miles west. Now slide the wave along the line in the correct direction of motion and see whether the distance to you increases or decreases.

✅ Before You Answer

• Confirm what "easterly" means: coming from the east or moving toward the east? • Decide whether an easterly wave in the tropical North Atlantic/Caribbean usually propagates eastward or westward. • Once the motion direction is clear, check whether the wave’s distance from you after 24 hours is greater, smaller, or unchanged, and whether it stays to the west or moves to the east of you.

An easterly wave is located 200 miles due west of your position, which is north of the equator. Where will the wave be in 24 hours?

In the same place

Farther away to the east

Farther away to the west

Closer and to the west

🔍 Key Concepts

💭 Think About

✅ Before You Answer