Answer: Test Your Understanding:
Which Way is the Wind Blowing?

Looking at the cloud motion in the animation (to the right) reveals wind patterns over LA and FL. Which of the following is mostly likely occurring at the surface?
  1. LA has winds from the north and FL has winds from the north

  2. LA has winds from the south and FL has winds from the north

  3. LA has winds from the north and FL has winds from the south

  4. LA has winds from the south and FL has winds from the south

The correct answer is 3 (LA has north winds and FL has south winds). The clouds over LA are moving from land toward the sea (offshore winds), while clouds over FL are moving from the sea toward the land (onshore winds).