Department of Agricultural and

Biosystems Engineering
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
Telephone: (053) 525-0140 local 1015
Email: dabe@vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

Name: Janmark P. Castañeros Offering No: A151

Student ID: 16-1-00073 Mobile No: 0906-633-
0709

Module No. 2 - Lesson No. 2.3

ASSESSMENT NO. 2.3

General Atmospheric Circulation

1. The one-celled general circulation was postulated on what assumption?

Answer: on the simple model of hemispheric convection, which are the air should
warm, less dense and rise in the area near equator.

2. Which law of thermodynamics the general circulation model follows?

Answer: the second law of thermodynamics

3. Defined as significant loss of water in either atmosphere, surface, or ground.

Answer: La Niña

4. Tropical cyclone occurs in the west and northwest Pacific.

Answer: Typhoon

5. What are the cells in the three-celled general circulation model?

Answer: (1)Hadley cells, (2)Ferrel cells, and (3)Polar cells

6. Discuss the phases of ENSO.

Answer: The three phases of El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO): (1)The neutral
phase, in the neutral state (neither El Niño nor La Niña) trade winds blow east to
west across the surface of the tropical Pacific Ocean, bringing warm moist air and
warmer surface waters towards the western Pacific and keeping the central Pacific
Ocean relatively cool. The thermocline is deeper in the west than the east. (2)El
Niño, during an El Niño event, trade winds weaken or may even reverse, allowing the
area of warmer than normal water to move into the central and eastern tropical
Pacific Ocean. These warmer than normal ocean temperatures are associated with a

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 deepening of the thermocline in the central to eastern Pacific. A weaker upwelling of
cooler ocean waters from below also contributes to warmer sea surface
temperatures. And lastly, (3)La Niña, during a La Niña event, the Walker Circulation
intensifies with greater convection over the western Pacific and stronger trade winds.
As the trade winds strengthen, the pool of warmer water is confined to the far
western tropical Pacific, resulting in warmer than usual sea surface temperatures in
the region north of Australia. Sea surface temperatures across the central and
eastern tropical Pacific Ocean become cooler than usual and the thermocline moves
closer to the surface – cool waters from the deep ocean are drawn to the surface as
upwelling strengthens.

Reference(s):

Rohli, R.V., and A.J. Vega (2018). Climatology. Fourth Edition. Jones &
Bartlett Learning 5 Wall Street, Burlington, MA 01803. ISBN 9781284126563