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How is an easterly wave identifiable on a surface weather chart?
  • A
    As a well developed depression
  • B
    As a weak trough
  • C
    As a secondary depression
  • D
    As a ridge

Refer to figure.
An Easterly wave, sometimes also referred to as Tropical wave, is a wave or trough of low pressure, originating over West Africa between latitude 5° North and 20° North and moving towards the Caribbean. Some of the waves proceed beyond the Caribbean and into the Pacific.

They occur during the summer and autumn, usually numbering about 50 each year. The waves have a typical wavelength of 2 000 to 2 500 km and a life span of 1-2 weeks.

The weather produced will be like that associated with tropical revolving storms, though to a much lesser extent in severity. Towards the west and the Equator unstable conditions will dominate, with cloudy, showery weather.

Easterly waves may develop into tropical revolving storms themselves.

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