Thunderstorms

Generally there are three stages involved in the development of thunderstorms. They are: A) cumulus stage, mature stage, and dissipating stage. B) cumulus stage, mature stage, and deconstructing stage. C) cumulus stage, adolescent stage, and dissipating stage. D) cumulus stage, dissipating stage, and deconstructing stage.

A

The Enhanced Fujita scale is based on: A) the level of damage caused by a tornado. B) the measured wind speeds inside a tornado. C) the pressure gradient across the diameter of a tornado. D) the frequency of lightning strikes concurrent with the tornado.

A

Tornadoes and mid-latitude cyclones are similar in that: A) both are areas of low pressure. B) both are most common and well-developed in the winter season. C) both have conspicuous surface fronts. D) both form in the trade-wind belt.

A

Which of the following is likely during the mature stage of a thunderstorm? A) lightning B) light winds C) light precipitation D) no precipitation

A

Question #6: ________ are relatively narrow, elongated bands of thunderstorms that develop in the warm sector of a middle-latitude cyclone, usually in advance of a cold front. A) Roll clouds B) Mesocyclones C) Squall lines D) Supercells

C

The term cyclone is BEST defined as: A) a hurricane. B) a violent tornado. C) any circulation around a low-pressure center. D) a storm that develops over an ocean.

C

Thunderstorms form when ________, humid air rises in a(n) ________ environment. A) warm; stable B) cold; unstable C) warm; unstable D) cold; stable

C

An air mass thunderstorm is most intense during the ________ stage. A) multicell B) cumulus C) dissipating D) mature

D

The terms leader, flash, and stroke are used when describing: A) squall line formation. B) the stages of a thunderstorm. C) the passage of a hurricane. D) lightning. E) a tornado.

D

What causes the dissipating stage of a thunderstorm? A) converging surface winds B) loss of radiant energy from cloud top C) release of latent heat within the cloud D) converging winds aloft E) spreading downdraft cuts off air inflow

E