Question 817Navigation General

The correct answer is A) wind velocity. Isobars on a weather map represent lines of equal atmospheric pressure. The spacing and orientation of isobars can be used to predict wind speed and direction, as air tends to flow perpendicular to isobars from high to low pressure. Tightly packed isobars indicate stronger winds, while widely spaced isobars indicate weaker winds. This relationship between isobars and wind is a fundamental principle used in weather forecasting and predicting wind conditions, which is critical knowledge for US Coast Guard Captain's License holders. The other options are incorrect because isobars do not directly indicate dew point (B), temperature (C), or relative humidity (D), though these weather elements are related to air pressure and can be inferred from isobar patterns.