What happens to surface air moving onto Lake Michigan from the east typically?

• A. It decelerates and turns south
• B. It accelerates and turns north
• C. It remains constant and turns east
• D. It decelerates and remains stationary

Answer: (B)

When surface air moves onto Lake Michigan from the east, it typically accelerates and turns north due to the effects of the lake's surface and surrounding terrain. As the air encounters the cooler water of the lake, it undergoes a process known as thermal stability, where the temperature gradient between the warmer land and cooler lake air causes the air to rise and cool. This process can enhance wind speeds and create a deflection in the airflow, often directing it northward along the lake's shore.

Additionally, the Coriolis effect, which is caused by the Earth's rotation, influences the direction of the wind as it moves over the lake. In this scenario, when the air moves across the expanse of Lake Michigan, it tends to speed up due to the less dense environment of the water compared to the land, leading to an increase in velocity and a turn to the north.

This behavior of air movement is important in forecasting local weather patterns and understanding how meteorological phenomena can develop in regions adjacent to large bodies of water. The interaction between land and water temperatures plays a crucial role in shaping local wind patterns.