Question 1315Navigation General

70% to pass

The diurnal variation of pressure is not visible in the middle latitudes in winter because _______________.

A the decreased average temperature is less than the critical temperature
B the increased Coriolis force disperses the pressure variation
C it is masked by the pressure changes of moving weather systems
D the decreased gravitational effect from the sun causes the variation to fade
AI Explanation

The correct answer is C) it is masked by the pressure changes of moving weather systems. The diurnal (daily) variation in atmospheric pressure is typically visible in the middle latitudes during the summer months. However, in the winter, this variation is masked by the larger pressure changes associated with the passage of weather systems. The pressure changes brought on by these larger weather systems overwhelm and obscure the more subtle diurnal pressure variation. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the reason the diurnal pressure variation is not visible in the middle latitudes during the winter.

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Official Resources
USCG Navigation Rules (COLREGS) 33 CFR Navigation Rules USCG National Maritime Center
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