GEOG 111 Final Exam

altocumulus, altostratus

2 kinds of middle clouds

Alberta clipper

NC on the warm side of the front but can sometimes feel the effects if it travels south

Texas-Great Lakes

NC starts off in cool sector, then warm sector when track moves North

3 distinguishing features of cloud types

altitude, pattern, ability to produce precip

high clouds with streaked, wispy appearance

cirrus

the Bergeron process is active in a ____ _____ environment

cold cloud

a ___ ___ behind a storm often denotes a squall line

cold front

the only way precip forms in warm clouds

collision coalescence

2 types of clouds associated with vertical development

cumulus; cummulonimbus

there are a large number of thunder and lightning days to the ____ of an urban area

east

ideal situation for snow

freezing surface temp, column below freezing

wave cyclones occur along a _____ where there is a ____ _____

front; temperature gradient

uplift that occurs when warm and cool air masses don't mix

frontal

air mass thunderstorms are created when there is _____ near the surface and ____ higher up

instability; stability

stratocumulus

low level clouds associated with a stable atmosphere because the air doesn't want to lift vertically

lower level air converges and goes upwards because there is nowhere else to go

low level convergence

nimbostratus

low level, dark, featureless clouds that have a streaky appearance from precip

altocumulus

middle clouds with some vertical development

the warmer the air the (more/less) water it can hold

more

when air is forced up mountainside, reaches LCL, and precip occurs

orographic uplift

4 types of forced uplift

orographic, frontal, low level convergence, upper level divergence

in the CPV, the winds blow ____ to the isoheights

parallel

temperature inversions happen where there are (troughs/ridges)

ridges

When liquid cloud water cannot freeze in the air, but freezes on something solid

rime icing

example of low level convergence

sea breeze front

3 things snow accumulation depends on

snowfall rate, wetness of the snow, antecedent surface temp

in order water to freeze, it needs something _____ to freeze on

solid

temperature inversions happen when the air is (stable/unstable)

stable

frontal lifting scenario that causes an inversion where warm air gets displaced by cold air

stable frontal lifting

distinguishing characteristic of high level clouds undergoing the bergeron process

streaked

________uplift enhances the Bergeron process

strong

season, time of day when cumulus clouds are most common

summer, late morning

when CPV winds are weakest and jet stream is most contracted

summer/early fall

the jet stream occurs where the ______ _______ between North and South is the greatest

temperature gradient

hydrometeors

term for any form of precip

altostratus

thick mid level clouds that block out the sun

squall lines form in the ___ sector and move ___ to the front

warm; parallel

beneath, downstream

wave cyclones occur ____ the jet stream and _____ of a trough

5" to 1"

wet snow to rain ratio

Air that is released from the valve stem of a tire will be ____________ due to the instantaneous ________ of the air. 1. relatively cool, expansion 2. relatively cool, compression 3. relatively warm, expansion 4. relatively warm, compression 5. about the same temperature as the air outside, condition

1

Any air parcel which is forced to ascend (i.e. rise) through the atmosphere will ________________ . 1. decrease its temperature and expand (increase volume) 2. increase its temperature and expand 3. decrease its temperature and contract (decrease volume) 4. increase its temperature and contract

1

Carbon dioxide concentrations are relatively lower during which of the following seasons in the Northern Hemisphere? 1. summer/early fall 2. winter/early spring 3. Carbon dioxide concentrations do not change significantly from one season to the next

1

During an El Nino, which of the following is true? 1. the subtropical jet is more active and more cyclones track close to NC 2. .the polar jet dips southward across NC and more cyclones track close to NC 3. the subtropical jet is more active and most cyclones track north of NC 4. the polar jet dips southward across NC and more cyclones track north of NC

1

Greenhouse warming is the greatest in the __________ latitudes. 1) high 2) low

1

How will the atmospheric pressure change aloft (i.e. above 5000 feet) if the temperature in the atmosphere below increases? 1. increase 2. decrease 3. stay the same

1

If a 500 mb trough is approaching the region, convection and thunderstorms are _____ likely to occur. 1. more 2. less

1

If during a given winter, most cyclones follow the Alberta Clipper track instead of the other tracks, precipitation in this area would be probably be _________ normal. 1. less than 2. near normal 3. greater than

1

If temperatures across eastern Canada are warmer than temperatures across the eastern United States, the winds at the 500 mb level in the region would blow from _________. 1. east to west 2. west to east 3. north to south 4. south to north

1

If the temperature in a room completely sealed off from the outside is increased, the air pressure should ____________. Hint: Temperature provides a measure of the speed of movement of molecules 1. increase 2. decrease 3. not be affected

1

If we neglect the effects of rising and sinking air motions, cooler air is ________ than warm air and therefore is associated with ________ surface pressure. 1. more dense, higher 2. less dense, lower 3. more dense, lower 4. less dense, higher

1

On a sunny day, the lifting condensation level (LCL) should _______ from morning to afternoon. 1. increase 2. decrease 3. remain the same

1

Snowfall accumulations are maximized when snow is relatively _________. 1. dry 2. wet 3. mixed with sleet 4. mixed with freezing rain

1

Snowfall in this area is almost always tied to the movement of a cyclone along the ________ track. 1. Gulf-Atlantic 2. Texas - Great Lakes 3. Alberta Clipper

1

Snowflakes form largely from which of the following processes? 1. deposition 2. freezing 3. condensation

1

The atmosphere is typically most stable at which of the following times? 1. 6am 2. 12pm 3. 4pm 4. 8pm

1

The inflow of a thunderstorm that drives the updrafts is located ___________. 1. near the ground in the vicinity of the gust front 2. near the top of the storm on the upstream side of the cloud (e.g. west) 3. near the top of the storm on the downstream side of the cloud (e.g. east)

1

The jet steam is _______ and situated farther _______ during the summer and early fall. 1. weaker, north 2. stronger, north 3. weaker, south 4. stronger, south

1

The lapse rate is the rate of temperature drop with increasing altitude. Which of the following situations is associated with the lowest rate? Note that the lapse rate can display negative values. 1. Clear night 2. Cloudy night 3. Clear day 4. Cloudy day

1

Thermals, clouds & thunderstorms first develop over ________ on a hot summer day. 1. mountain tops and slopes 2. valleys 3.lakes

1

What type of clouds develop ahead of an approaching cold front? 1. cumulus/cumulonimbus 2. stratus 3. altostratus 4. cirrus

1

Which of the following conditions in the evening is most likely to support dew formation by morning? 1. Dew point = 66 degrees, clear skies 2. Dewpoint = 62 degrees, clear skies 3. Dewpoint = 66 degrees, cloudy skies 4. Dewpoint = 62 degrees, cloudy skies

1

Which of the following locations will likely have the lowest apparent temperature. Assume that it is a cloudy day with a breezy conditions and an air temperature of 70 degrees F. 1. Large open field 2. Open area surrounded by trees 3. Forested area

1

__________ clouds can produce a ring around the sun or moon. 1. cirrostratus 2. altostratus 3. stratus 4. cumulus 5. ringinitus

1

During which of the following weeks do the sunrise and sunset times change the most? 1) September 18-24 2) December 18-24 3) July 18-24

1)

Over which of the following surfaces is outgoing K relatively low and outgoing L relatively high? Assume that it is noon time and skies are clear. Note K=shortwave and L=longwave radiation. 1) asphalt 2) grass field 3) snow covered surface 4) forest

1)

Suppose that you need to consult a weather forecast for your special event happening several months in the future. Which of the following would be the most helpful? 1) A climatology 2) Output from a weather forecasting model 3) A Weather Channel (TWC) forecast 4) The Farmer's Almanac

1)

Which of the following is the best insulator? 1) Air -61 2) Wood-25 3) Metal-25 4) Water-39

1)

During what period of the day is the net radiation the most positive? (Hint: consider the hourly differences between the net incoming shortwave and net outgoing longwave radiation) 1) 3-6am 2) 9am-12pm 3) 12pm-4pm 4) 4pm-9pm 5) 9pm-12am

2)

In North Carolina, net radiation averaged out over the course of a year is ________ in the atmosphere and ________ at the surface 1) highly negative, positive 2) slightly negative, positive 3) highly negative, negative 4) slightly negative, negative

2)

The northward and southward movements of heat in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere, respectively, are accomplished primarily through the process of ________. 1) conduction 2) advection 3) convection 4) diffusion

2)

The sun's direct rays hit the Tropic of Cancer (23.N°S) during the _________. 1) Spring and fall equinox 2) June solstice 3) December solstice

2)

The temperature of the earth's surface would directly affect which of the following? 1) Outgoing shortwave radiation 2) Outgoing longwave radiation 3) Incoming longwave radiation 4) Incoming shortwave radiation

2)

When we compare summer (i.e. high sun season) conditions across the southern and northern hemispheres, we find that net radiation is _______ overall in the southern hemisphere and average temperatures are ______ in the southern hemisphere. (Hint: Consider differences in the geography of the two hemispheres) 1) Higher, warmer -59 2) Higher, cooler -31 3) Lower, warmer - 6 4) Lower, cooler -54

2)

Which of following situations would likely yield the greatest temperature drops at night? 1) Humid atmosphere (i.e. lots of water vapor) with no clouds 2) Dry atmosphere with no clouds 3) Humid atmosphere with cloudy skies 4) Dry atmosphere with cloudy skies

2)

Which of the following inhibits temperature rises above the Arctic Circle during the late spring? 1) Low solar insolation -41 2) Melting of snow and ice -64 3) Condensation of water vapor-33 4) The low albedo of the surface -12

2)

Which of the following would NOT be an appropriate use of a climatological record? 1) the National Weather Service slightly increases temperatures in their 5-day forecast using climatological records to adjust for the uncertainty in their weather models. 2) a meteorologist identifies a tropical weather system developing in the Caribbean but determines it will not develop into a hurricane based on climatological records. 3) an airline consults the climatological record of wind speed and direction to predict flight times three months in advance.

2)

Wind forecasts from the National Weather Service generally ________ wind speeds in Chapel Hill and other cities. 1) Underestimate 2) Overestimate 3) Do a good job estimating

2)

Deserts are generally ____ than grasslands/forests on clear, calm nights because of a _____ 1. warmer, drier atmosphere 2. warmer, higher sensible heat flux 3. cooler, drier atmosphere 4. cooler, lower sensible heat flux

3

During the daytime, Cumulus clouds generally develop over the ______ ______ where the _______ motions of a sea breeze circulation occur. 1. water, sinking 2. water, rising 3. land, rising 4. land, sinking

3

During what stage of a thunderstorm is most of the lighting cloud-to-cloud? 1. cumulus 2. mature 3. dissipation

3

If a lightning bolt is seen in the distance and the thunder is heard 10 seconds later, approximately how far away is the lightning? 1. 1 mile 2. 1.5 miles 3. 2 miles 4. 3 miles 5. 5 miles

3

If the jet stream is situated in Florida on a winter day, the temperature is likely to be __________ normal across NC. 1. above 2. near 3. below

3

In a wind that is geostrophically adjusted, what two forces are equal but opposite in terms of their orientation? 1. pressure gradient, friction 2. friction, Coriolis 3. pressure gradient, Coriolis 4. Coriolis, centrifugal 5. pressure gradient, centrifugal

3

North to south temperature differences (e.g. South Florida vs. southern Canada) are greatest during the _______ season. 1. summer 2. fall 3. winter 4. spring

3

Snow is more likely than sleet or freezing rain when warm advection aloft is relatively ________ and the front above the surface is relatively ________. 1. stronger, higher 2. stronger, lower 3. weaker, higher 4. weaker, lower

3

Squall lines typically propagate _____ the movement of the individual cells in the line. 1. parallel to (e.g. cells moving NE and line moving northeast) 2. to the left of (e.g. cells moving NE and line moving east) 3. to the right of (e.g. cells moving NE and line moving north)

3

The 500 mb heights (i.e. the altitude of the 500 mb pressure level) are lowest over the ________ latitudes. 1. low 2. middle 3. high

3

The two regions of the U.S. with the highest number of days with a thunderstorm include ________. 1. New England and Rocky Mountains 2. California and Florida 3. Florida and the Rocky Mountains 4. Midwest and Florida 5. Midwest and Rocky Mountains

3

This process (from question #9) promotes _______ air in the tropospheric column and _______ in surface pressure. 1. rising, increases 2. rising, decreases 3. sinking, increases 4. sinking, decreases

3

Very large rain droplets are strongly associated with __________. 1. an unstable atmosphere and weak uplift 2. a stable atmosphere and strong uplift 3. an unstable atmosphere and strong uplift 4. a stable atmosphere and weak uplift

3

What is the most challenging aspect of the earth-atmosphere system in terms of explaining how greenhouse gases will change the climate? 1) estimating greenhouse gas concentrations 2) determining the role of plants in the overall carbon cycle 3) ascertaining the influences of clouds

3

What is the typical sequence of clouds as a warm front with unstable air above it approaches? 1. cirrus, cirrostratus, altostratus, nimbostratus 2. cumulus, cumulonimbus, nimbostratus 3. altocumulus, cumulus and cumulonimbus 4. nimbostratus, stratus, altostratus, cirrostratus

3

When is the monsoon experienced on the Indian Subcontinent? 1. only in the winter 2. only in the summer 3. year-round, but with a separate dry season and wet season 4. variations can be drastic from year to year, so there is no definite answer

3

Where is the relative humidity = 0% ? 1. Near the middle of the Saharan desert 2. In the interior of the Amazon rainforest 3. Nowhere on the surface of the earth 4. Antarctica

3

Which of the following activities/processes removes carbon dioxide to the atmosphere? 1) decomposition, burning 2) photosynthesis, burning 3) photosynthesis, oceanic uptake 4) decomposition, oceanic uptake

3

Which of the following is NOT true on the winter solstice? 1) solar declination is 23.5 degrees S 2) the solar elevation is at its maximum in the Southern Hemisphere 3) the sun's direct rays strike the Tropic of Cancer 4) a 24 hour period of sunlight occurs in the Antarctic

3

Which of the following two processes controls the rate at which a material warms and cools? 1. specific heat and thermal conductivity 2. density and thermal conductivity 3. density and specific heat

3

Which term describes the total solar radiation at a given location over a given period of time? 1) solar declination 2) solar constant 3) solar insolation 4) solar emission

3

Winds are generated by __________ and blow from ____________ pressure. 1. moisture gradients, high to low 2. moisture gradients, low to high 3. pressure gradients, high to low 4. pressure gradients, low to high 5. convection, low to high

3

Winds in the middle troposphere blow ________ to the isoheights and isobars. 1. perpendicular to the isoheights/isobars 2. at 10-60 degree angle towards low pressure 3. parallel to the isoheights/isobars

3

__________ clouds produce steady light to moderate precipitation. 1. altostratus 2. stratus 3. nimbostratus 4. cumulonimbus 5. reginitus

3

stratus, nimbostratus, stratocumulus

3 kinds of low clouds

The Earth completes one full revolution along the plane of the ecliptic every ___. 1) 24.25 hours 2) 24 hours 3) 365.25 days 4) 365 days

3)

The troposphere is heated primarily from ________. 1) absorption of incoming solar radiation 65 2) reflection of solar radiation 19 3) the energy released from the surface via the sensible and latent heat flux -60 4) geothermal energy in the earth's interior

3)

500 MB MAP TEST 3 At which location would you expect to find a surface anticyclone? 1. 1 2. 2 3. 3 4. 4

4

An anticyclone is characterized by _________. 1. converging surface winds and rising air 2. converging surface winds and sinking air 3. diverging surface winds and rising air 4. diverging surface winds and sinking air

4

At which of the following times of the day is the atmosphere typically the most unstble? 1. 12am 2. 6am 3. 12pm 4. 4pm 5. 9pm

4

Decreases in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) act to ________ the atmospheric albedo and therefore ______ the surface temperature. 1) increase, increase 2) increase, decrease 3) decrease, decrease 4) decrease, increase

4

During a typical day on the moon, the sky appears black due to ___. 1) intense scattering of visible light 2) scattering of ultraviolet waves 3) the density of the atmospheric mass 4) the absence of atmosphere

4

If no life had evolved on the earth, the carbon dioxide concentrations in its atmosphere would be ________. 1) about the same 2) much lower 3) slightly lower 4) much greater

4

In the summer, the land surfaces in a monsoon region will experience _________. 1. low pressure 2. winds blowing from the sea to the land 3. wet conditions 4. all of the above 5. 2 and 3

4

Poor air quality results when pollutants build up underneath an inversion in the atmosphere. Which of the following scenarios would decrease the air quality over a large city? 1. air getting colder aloft (15,000') and warmer near the surface 2. air getting colder aloft (15,000') and colder near the surface 3. air getting warmer aloft (15,000') and warmer near the surface 4. air getting warmer aloft (15,000') and colder near the surface

4

SURFACE WEATHER MAP TEST 3 Which location is experiencing cold frontal precipitation? 1. 1 2. 2 3. 3 4. 4 5. 5

4

The ocean requires a ______ period to warm up and cool down because it exhibits a ________ specific heat. 1. shorter, higher 2. shorter, lower 3. longer, higher

4

Urban areas are _____ than rural areas because, among other things, they are generally _______ 1. Cooler, wetter 2. Cooler, drier 3. Warmer, wetter 4. Warmer, drier

4

Where is it the coldest in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter? 1. North Pole 2. northern Canada 3. northwest Europe 4. northeastern Asia (i.e. Siberia).

4

Which of the following best describes a gust front? 1. air that descends in the interior of a storm 2. gusts of air that accompany the passage of a cold front 3. atmospheric eddies that propagate downstream from a mountain ridge 4. the leading edge of cool air that spreads out beneath the storm

4

Which of the following statements best define a "thermal low?" 1. an area of low temperatures caused by high wind speeds such as found in a coastal area 2. an area of high temperatures caused by low wind speeds such as found in dense forests 3. an area of low pressure caused by low temperatures such as found in the arctic circle 4. an area of low pressure caused by high temperatures such as found in a desert

4

Winds that descend a mountain range are typically associated with ________ conditions 1. cool and moist 2. cool and dry 3. warm and moist 4. warm and dry

4

f conditions are clear, the relative humidity will usually be the lowest at _________. 1. 12pm 2. 4pm 3. 12am 4. 6am

4

cirrus, cirrocumulus, cirrostratus, contrails,

4 kinds of high clouds

Between October and March, the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere experience _____________ than regions at lower latitudes to the south. 1) higher solar elevations, longer periods of daylight 2) lower solar elevations, longer periods of daylight 3) higher solar elevations, shorter periods of daylight 4) lower solar elevations, shorter periods of daylight

4)

If positive feedbacks occur in the earth atmosphere system as a result of increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, then which of the following scenarios is plausible? 1) g.h. warming → more evaporation → more clouds → cooling 2) g.h. warming → ice cap melting → higher albedo → warming 3) g.h. warming → less evaporation → less clouds → warming 4) g.h. warming → more evaporation → more water vapor → warming

4)

Solar insolation is greatest at which of the following latitudes on June 22? 1) 23 degrees south -3 2) Equator -8 3) 23 degrees north -76 4) 90 degrees north -63

4)

The solar elevation at the equator will be ______ at 12 noon on March 22. 1) Below the horizon (still dark) 2) 0° 3) 23.5° 4) 90 °

4)

The warmest temperatures typically occur at which of the following times 1) 10am 2) 12pm 3) 2pm 4) 4pm

4)

Which of the following forecasts has the least skill during the first 24 hours of the forecasting period? 1) Winter temperature 2) Winter precipitation 3) Summer temperature 4) Summer precipitation

4)

Which of the following forms of radiation has the longest wavelength? 1) visible light 2) infrared 3) ultraviolet 4) microwaves 5) gamma rays

4)

Which of the following processes contributes the most to the vertical sensible heat flux in the atmosphere? 1) diffusion 2) conduction 3) advection 4) convection

4)

SUFACE WEATHER MAP TEST 3 What direction is the wind blowing from at location 3? 1. West 2. North 3. Northwest 4. Southeast 5. East

5

The relative humidity of a rising air parcel ______ as the vapor pressure ________. Assume that the air parcel remains unsaturated. 1. increases, increases 2. decreases, increases 3. increases, decreases 4. decreases, decreases 5. increases, does not change

5

Which of the following conditions promote the occurrence of hail ______. 1. Very strong updrafts -40 2. Strong vertical wind shear (i.e. much faster winds higher in the column) 3. Low freezing level 4. both 1 and 2 5. both 1 and 3

5

Which of the following presents a problem in terms of calculating a mean temperature change for the earth's surface? 1) There are few weather stations in the developing world (i.e. developing world) 2) Precipitation modifies temperatures in unsheltered instrument shelters 3) Urban landscapes have encroached in many places where temperatures are measured 4) Deforestation has increased the amount of direct beam radiation hitting many thermometers 5) Both 1 and 3

5

Which of the following situations will increase instability of the atmosphere and promote convection? 1. warming near the bottom the tropospheric column 2. cooling near the bottom of the tropospheric column 3. cooling in the middle of the tropospheric column 4. warming in the middle of the tropospheric column 5. both 1 and 3

5

low cloud height

500-8000 feet

middle cloud height

8000-20,000 feet

cold clouds

< -10 degrees C

warm clouds

> -10 degrees C

high cloud height

> 20,000 feet

B

A boundary between two air masses is called _______. A an isobar B a front C a midlatitude cyclone D an isotherm E a millibar

B

A dryline is the boundary between ______________ A cold & moist air B warm & dry air C cold & dry air D warm & moist air

-are found in mid-levels of the troposphere (10,000-18,000 ft) -ex. altrostratus, altocumulus clouds

"alto-"

-Occurs at high altitudes (18000 ft or higher) -thin, low-density transmit some light, consist of ice crystals ex. cirrostratus, cirrus, cirrocumulus

"cirrus" or "cirro"

-are vertically developed/stacked -formed through convection -indicate presence of unstable layer in the atmosphere. -ex. cumulus, stratocumulus, altocumulus, etc.

"cumulus" or "cumulo"

-produces measurable precipitation -absorbs/reflects lots of visible light and are thick/dark. -cumulonimbus, stratusnimbo

"nimbo"

-found in stable atmospheres -ex. nimbostratus, stratus

"stratus" or "strato"

Snow melting into rain at the atmosphere's surface .

Adiabatic processes are ones in which no heat is added or removed. In of the following which processes does adiabatic cooling NOT occur?

D

Air masses form in conditions that have __________. A strong winds and high pressure B strong wind and low pressure C light wind and low pressure D light wind and high pressure

3 wave cyclone tracks

Alberta Clipper, Texas-Great Lakes, Gulf-Atlantic Coast

-similar to cirrocumulus, but puffs are bigger because of a lower altitude; warm

Altocumulus

clockwise -typically have clear skies and fair weather

Anticyclones

B

As an air mass travels over a region that is much colder, __________. A stability decreases & probably be thunderstorms B stability increases & will probably be clear skies C stability increases & probably be thunderstorms D stability decreases & will probably be clear skies

locations where there is a low frequency of thunder days

California; New England

-a cloud at a high altitude consisting of a series of regularly arranged small clouds resembling ripples. -Formed by water vapor emitted by jets -Contrails

Cirrocumulus

-High elevation clouds, layered across the sky -Cover sky, the suns intensity is greatly reduced -"Sundogs" are rings that are formed

Cirrostratus

Thin and wispy, feathery clouds made of ice crystals that form at high levels.

Cirrus clouds

-greatest at the bottom of the atmosphere (molecules concentrated there).. -decreases the higher you go up the atmospheric column (weight lessens as there is less air above it.. think mt. Everest vs. the beach).

Density:

cold front

E/NE flow

C

If a large body of air has a low temperature and a high relative humidity, then the air mass is called _______. A continental tropical (cT) B continental arctic (cA) C maritime polar (mP) D continental polar (cP) E maritime tropical (mT)

D

If a large body of air has a low temperature and a low relative humidity, then the air mass is called _______. A maritime polar (mP) B continental tropical (cT) C maritime tropical (mT) D continental polar (cP)

A

If you increase the average temperature of a column of air, then the 500mb pressure surface will be _______. A at a higher elevation B there isn't enough information to determine C at a lower elevation D at same elevation

A

If you increase the moisture content of a column of air, then the 500 mb pressure surface will be ________. A at a higher elevation B there isn't enough information to determine C at same elevation D at a lower elevation

-pressure gradient and wind speed increase gradually toward the center of the storm, than rapidly in the eye of the storm -horizontal pg within the storm gradually decreases with altitude

Pressure gradient and wind speed in a hurricane:

force/area

Pressure=

an instrument carried by a balloon that measures atmospheric variables and then transmits its measurements.

Radiosondes

-sea surface temps >80F -low-level convergence (easterly wave) spinning in -upper-level divergence (the exhaust) spinning out -low vertical wind shear -some coriolis force- cannot form on the equator

Requirements for Hurricane Development

tornadoes begin ___/___ of supercell thunderstorms and move ___

S/SW; NE

What does the equation Q*= K↓ - K↑ + L↓ - L↑ tell us? a. the net radiation is equal to the net shortwave radiation plus the net longwave radiation. b. the net radiation is equal to the net shortwave radiation minus the net longwave radiation. c. the net radiation is equal to the incoming shortwave radiation plus the outgoing longwave radiation. d. the net radiation is equal to the incoming longwave radiation minus the outgoing shortwave radiation.

a

What is a heat index? a. A measure of what the outside temperature feels like. b. A record of the highest average temperatures for a given location. c. An exact reading of temperature, not accounting for factors such as humidity. d. The temperature threshold that must be met in order for precipitation to occur.

a

What is the likely outcome of a stable warm air mass being forced above a cold mass? a. light rain b. thunder and lightning c. hail d. clear skies

a

What sort of air would you expect to find at the Bermuda High? a. warm air, very stable b. sinking air, very unstable c. cool air, rising d. hot, unstable air

a

What time of year is the north/south temperature gradient the greatest? a. late winter/early spring b. late spring/early summer c. late summer/early fall d. late fall/early winter

a

When do the greatest RATES of change in day length occur? a. late winter/early spring and late summer/early fall b. late spring/early summer and late fall/early winter c. around the times of the summer and winter solstices d. annual weather variations result in inconsistent rates of change from year to year

a

Which is NOT a defining characteristic a wave cyclone must have in order to be identified as such? a. Precipitation b. Circular movement of air currents c. Temperature gradients d. Boundaries between air masses e. All are defining characteristics of wave cyclones

a

Which of the following equations represents pressure? a. P=force/area b. P=density/temperature c. P=force*area d. P=density*temperature

a

Which of the following is true concerning the 24-hour period of the summer solstice? a. Only nighttime is experienced on the South pole. b. The north pole gets less solar radiation than the equator. c. The equator is briefly cooler than the north pole. d. 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of nighttime are experienced at ALL points along the equator.

a

Which of the following statements does NOT explain why water feels cooler than air of the same temperature? a. Water transfers heat from the skin surface more efficiently through convection. b. Air molecules are more dispersed than water molecules. c. Water has a higher thermal conductivity than air. d. Water is more dense than air

a

Wind direction refers to the direction from which winds are blowing. a. True b. False

a

You are planning an outdoor birthday celebration for a friend that will take place one week from today. Your local weather center is forecasting an 85% chance of rain on that day. What is likely the best course of action? a. Wait a few days to see if the forecast has changed. b. Cancel the party as rain is inevitable. c. Relocate the party to a location further away that has only a 40% chance of rain forecasted. d. Remember that forecasting is only guesswork. Rain can happen at anytime!

a

You would likely find the greatest dew formation in your front lawn following a night when which conditions are present? a. The sky is filled with stars and the dew point is 68 degrees b. The sky is filled with stars and the dew point is 61 degrees c. The sky is filled with thick clouds and the dew point is 68 degrees d. The sky is filled with thick clouds and the dew point is 61 degrees

a

The image below was published September 6, 2014 on http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/. The map suggests that which of the following was true at its time of publication? a. Hurricane conditions were very active. b. A small tropical storm was headed for the coast of Africa. c. A tropical cyclone was unlikely to approach the Caribbean islands within the 48 hours that followed. d. The possibility of cyclone formation was likely to increase during the days that followed.

c

-thing and layered -sun is partly to totally obscured (incoming solar radiation is absorbed and reflected). -Grayer appearance, solid sheet of cloud

altostratus

A brick house is generally _____ than a wood shed at 1pm and _____ at 1am. a. warmer, cooler b. cooler, warmer c. cooler, cooler d. warmer, warmer

b

A fast wind on a 100 degree F day will cool off a human body, assuming that there is no evaporation a. True b. False

b

A material's heating and cooling rates have a ________ correlation with its specific heat a. Positive b. Negative c. Positive correlation for heating, negative correlation for cooling d. Specific heat has no relationship with heating and cooling rates

b

A rising hot air balloon demonstrates how ___ works. a. the Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DALR) b. convective uplift c. Hadley cells d. forced lift

b

A strong La Niña event would ________ the subtropical jet stream, thus ________ the likelihood of hurricane formation and landfall. a. strengthen, increasing b. weaken, increasing c. strengthen, decreasing d. weaken, decreasing

b

Airplane contrails are caused by _____ and ______ of the engine exhaust. a. sublimation and evaporation b. condensation and deposition c. deposition and declination d. evaporation and condensation

b

A

Southeast wind blows from _____. A southeast to northwest B south to east C south to north D northwest to southeast E southeast to southwest

True

True or False: Every cumulonimbus cloud produces hail.

B

Under which conditions are droughts and wildfires common in Australia? A under La Niña conditions B under El Niño conditions C under Walker Circulation conditions D under normal conditions

B

Upper-level convergence causes ________. A low pressure at surface B high pressure at surface C rising motion D formation of clouds & precipitation E converging winds at surface

Albedo is calculated for areas covered with sand, forest, and snow in various locations in NC. Which values would most likely reflect normal measurements? a. forest = 75% albedo; sand = 50% albedo; fresh snow = 25% albedo b. forest = 15% albedo; sand = 25% albedo; fresh snow = 85% albedo c. forest = 2% albedo; sand = 40% albedo; fresh snow = 100% albedo d. forest = 15% albedo; sand = 75% albedo; fresh snow = 0% albedo

b

At night, clouds usually form over the beach due to the sea breeze front. True or False? a. True b. False

b

Cirrocumulus clouds form at ____ levels of the atmosphere and appear______. a. high, thin and hazy b. high, patchy and distinct c. low, thin and hazy d. low, patchy and distinct

b

Fast winds in the upper atmosphere generally make tropical storms & hurricanes _______. a. Stronger b. Weaker c. Produce more rain but lower wind speeds d. Produce higher wind speeds but less rain

b

Freezing water reduces sensible heat locally. True or false? a. True b. False

b

Human beings experience "wind chill" because ___. a. wind brings cooler air down towards the surface of the earth. b. wind removes a microscopic boundary layer of warm air from our skin. c. wind produces a psychosomatic effect that makes the air seem colder than it actually is. d. wind exaggerates the effects of albedo, causing less longwave radiation to assist in warming the air.

b

If the Chapel Hill forecast says that there is a "20% probability of precipitation", that means some 20% of the geographical area within Chapel Hill will be covered in rain. a. True b. False

b

If you prefer milder weather conditions year-round, you would be wise to live in an area characterized by a ___ climate. a. continental b. marine c. diurnal

b

In the middle troposphere, winds blow ______. a. perpendicular to both the isoheights and the isobars b. parallel to both the isoheights and the isobars c. perpendicular to the isoheights and parallel to the isobars d. parallel to the isoheights and perpendicular to the isobars e. none of the above/more information is needed

b

It has been theorized that if the earth was on a 0º rather than a 23.5º tilt, there would likely be ___. a. a hotter climate b. no complex life forms on earth c. no moon d. more even distribution of life on earth by latitude e. vegetation on Antarctica

b

Long range weather forecasts (i.e. 3 days and beyond) are typically ___. a. more accurate in the summer. b. more accurate in the winter. c. at an equal rate of accuracy year-round. d. only accurate when generated solely by computer models.

b

Microwaves fall on the short end of the visible light spectrum. a. True b. False

b

One reason that the Mojave Desert (Southwestern USA) is warm is that... a. ...little vegetation results in high amounts of evaporation. b. ...a lack of clouds results in high amounts of incoming shortwave radiation. c. ...little vegetation results in a high latent heat flux. d. ...a lack of clouds results in high amounts of incoming longwave radiation.

b

Orographic lifting is a type of convective lifting a. True b. False

b

Pressure changes more gradually with altitude in the lower parts of the atmosphere and more rapidly higher up. a. true b. false

b

QUIZ 7 pic 1 This map indicates that the winds in Georgia are ___ a. northeasterly b. southwesterly c. northerly d. northwesterly

b

Shade does NOT play a significant role in cooling an area. True or False? a. True b. False

b

The El Nino effect is associated with cooler temperatures in the central equatorial Pacific. a. True b. False

b

The Lifting Condensation Level (LCL) refers to the altitude to which an air mass must sink in order for it to reach saturation. True or false? a. true b. false

b

The earth's seasons are caused by: a. the variance in the distance from the sun due to the earth's elliptical orbit b. the axial tilt of the earth c. the cyclical increase and decrease in sunspot activity d. the polar jet stream

b

D

Upwelling is ________. A caused by rising air near equator B caused by wind blowing toward coast C caused by a strong temp gradient near surface D caused by wind blowing parallel to coast E caused by seasonal changes in Earth's global circulation patterns

The environmental lapse rate is the rate of temperature drop with increasing altitude. Which of the following situations is associated with the highest rate? a. Cloudy night b. Clear day c. Cloudy day d. Clear night

b

The majority of weather features in the Northern Hemisphere move from_____ to ______. a. east, west b. west, east c. south, north d. north, south

b

The perihelion occurs on January 3 when the earth is farthest from the sun. a. true b. false

b

The rate of temperature change relative to increases in altitude is referred to as ___. a. differential warming b. lapse rate c. specific heat rate d. altitudinal rate

b

The sunset occurs later on the eastern edge of a time zone. a. true b. false

b

Troughs and ridges in the 500 mb isoheights are generally stationary and defined by surface features. True or false? a. True b. False

b

Western slopes of mountains are typically wetter than eastern slopes due to ___. a. frontal lifting b. orographic lifting c. low level convergence d. upper level divergence

b

When the atmosphere warms, molecules near the bottom of the column rise to a higher level, which causes a reduction in the surface atmospheric pressure and a slight increase in the atmospheric pressure.

What happens when the atmosphere warms in terms of pressure?

- Collective force of colliding molecules in a small area.

What is pressure?

What are the three drivers of sensible heat flux? a. Conduction, Contraction, Convection b. Conduction, Convection, Advection c. Contraction, Advection, Convection d. Contraction, Conduction, Advection

b

C

What is the Southern Oscillation? A swapping of high & low temp zones in South Pacific under El Niño B swapping of high & low temp zones in South Pacific under normal conditions C swapping of high & low pressure zones in South Pacific under El Niño D swapping of high & low pressure zones in South Pacific under normal conditions

C

Which of the following are examples of a microscale motion? A motions that last from days to weeks B motions that last from hours to days C motions that last from seconds to minutes D ocean currents E midlatitude cyclones and anticyclones

B

Which of the following is true about low pressure at the surface in the Northern Hemisphere? A Associated with upper-level convergence B Associated with counterclockwise, converging winds. C Associated with clockwise, diverging winds. D Associated with clear skies & sinking air E Associated with cloudy skies & sinking air

A

Which of the following locations would typically have the highest station air pressure? A New Orleans, LA (elevation: 6 m below sea level) B Denver, CO (elevation: 1,609 m above sea level) C Chicago, IL (elevation: 181 m above sea level) D Quebec City, Ca (elevation: 98 m above sea level) E Tucson, AZ (elevation: 806 m above sea level)

E

Which of the following statements about the pressure gradient force is true? A PGF is directed parallel to the isobars B PGF is weaker when isobars are closer together C PGF is directed opposite of the wind direction D PGF is caused by the rotation of Earth E PGF is stronger when isobars are closer together

What causes the sky to display an orange or reddish hue at sunset? a. an increase in infrared radiation emanating from the earth after a hot summer's day. b. light must travel through more atmosphere increasing the scattering effect of aerosols c. the high reflectivity of the ocean and other major bodies of water scatters light with longer wavelengths.

b

What impact do sunspots have on the surface temperature on Earth? a. they decrease the temperature b. they increase the temperature c. they have no recorded impact

b

What month of the year is the weather generally most changeable in the northern hemisphere? a. December b. February c. June d. October

b

What time of the year should a sea breeze be the weakest? Hint: Consider seasonal changes in the thermal contrast between land and water. a. summer b. fall c. winter d. spring

b

When did the "Little Ice Age" take place? a. It took place between the 12th and 16th centuries. b. It took place between the 16th and 20th centuries. c. It began in the 18th century and continues today. d. There is no data to confirm that such an event ever took place.

b

Where would a baseball travel farthest after being launched with the same amount of force and why? a. Atlanta, GA - because of the high humidity b. The moon - because of the lack of atmosphere c. Denver, CO - because of the high altitude d. New York, NY - because of the power of the NY Yankees

b

Where would you expect to find the coldest temperatures in the middle of January? Hint: Use Google Maps. a. over the Arctic ocean b. on the banks of Lake Baikal c. along the shores of the Caribbean Sea d. over the Bering Strait

b

Which of the following controls Earth's outgoing shortwave radiation? a. Heat flux b. Earth's Albedo c. Solar elevation d. Solar declination

b

Which of the following does NOT explain why ocean temperatures are more stable (i.e. less variable with respect to time) than land temperatures? a. specific heat b. relative absence of anthropogenic factors c. radiated heat is distributed deeper into water than it is into the ground d. evaporation of water e. surface mobility f. water transparency

b

Which of the following is an example of microclimate? a. Average temperatures in Raleigh are warmer in April than they are in March. b. The front yard at your uncle's house is typically warmer than the back yard. c. There are molecular-level variations in temperature throughout the day (example: the temperature on the surface of your skin). d. The total characteristics of climate measured within the area limits of a single weather station.

b

Which of the following pairs of terms are not synonymous? a. The Arctic High and anticyclone b. high pressure system and cyclone c. low pressure system and Thermal Low d. Thermal Low and cyclone

b

Which of the following statements does NOT accurately describe cumulus clouds? a. They show some vertical development b. They are common with daytime heating when the relative humidity is low. c. They occur in an unstable environment. d. They occur lower in the atmosphere than cirrus or cirrocumulus clouds.

b

Which of the following statements is correct? a. When Q* > 0 there is a net energy gain and no change in temperature. b. When Q* < 0 there is a net energy loss and a decrease in temperature. c. When Q* = 0 there is an even increase in both radiation and temperature d. When Q* < 0 incoming shortwave and longwave radiation exceeds outgoing shortwave and longwave radiation.

b

Which of the following statements most accurately explain why the sky is blue? a. the upper atmosphere absorbs all other visible light and only blue reaches the earth's surface b. blue light is more likely to be scattered than other visible light due to its short wavelength c. ultraviolet light appears blue when it is scattered d. science has yet to satisfactorily explain this phenomenon

b

Which of the following weather conditions did the March 1993 superstorm NOT produce? a. blizzards b. dense fog c. severe thunderstorms d. heavy rain

b

Which of the following would be a practical use of infrared goggles? a. identifying the presence of short-wave radiation b. detecting animals at night c. shielding your eyes while observing a sunset d. measuring wind speeds

b

Which of the following would be impacted by the albedo of an object on the earth surface? a. Incoming shortwave radiation b. Outgoing shortwave radiation c. Incoming longwave radiation d. Outgoing longwave radiation

b

Which place on campus would likely be the hottest on a summer day? a. the athletic fields b. the patio on the south side of Lenoir c. the north side of the planetarium d. the arboretum

b

Which statement about the appearance of the sky is true when abundant particulate matter is present in the atmosphere? a. The sky displays a darker color. b. The sky displays a lighter color. c. The sky is typically dark gray.. d. More information is needed in order to answer this question.

b

Which type of precipitation is characterized by heavy rain showers? a. overrunning precipitation b. cold frontal precipitation c. wrap around precipitation d. none of the above

b

Why do weather models have difficulty predicting the likelihood of summer thunderstorms? a. Because they do not incorporate climatological records. b. Because thunderstorms are generally localized and scattered across a region. c. Because models can only predict wind speed and temperature, not precipitation.

b

You are climbing a mountain. For every 1000' that you go up in elevation, you probably experience about a 2.4 F degree decrease in temperature. True or False? a. True b. False

b

You are standing in a valley east of a tall mountain range and the winds are blowing west to east. The air is likely to be _______. a. dry and cool b. dry and warm c. nearly saturated and cool d. nearly saturated and warm e. [more information is needed]

b

___ refers to the ease with which energy is transmitted through a material. a. solar advectivity b. thermal conductivity c. latent heat fluxivity d. Hadley Cell convect

b

A

Which of the following statements is true about the real-world semi-permanent pressure systems on Earth? A ITCZ moves toward summer hemisphere as seasons change B ITCZ is located at equator regardless of season C Jan & July global pressure patterns look exactly same D Northern Hemisphere is closer to idealized zonal pressure pattern than Southern Hemisphere E High-pressure centers are always located 30 degrees north or south of equator.

D

Which of the following statements is true about winds at the surface? A PGF points toward high pressure aloft. B Coriolis force is perpendicular to isobars. C Surface winds cross isobars at angle toward higher pressure D Surface winds cross isobars at angle toward lower pressure. E Surface winds are generally faster than winds aloft

E

Which statement best describes the force balance that leads to westerlies in the upper troposphere? A PGF starts air moving toward higher pressure & Coriolis force turns wind to left in Northern Hemi B PGF starts air moving toward lower pressure & Coriolis force turns wind to left in Northern Hemi C PGF starts air moving toward higher pressure & Coriolis force turns wind to right in Northern Hemi D PGF starts air moving toward lower pressure & Coriolis force turns wind to right in Northern Hemi

C

Which statement describes a way that ocean currents influence climate? A Warm ocean currents cool nearby region B Warm currents decrease absolute humidity in air C Cold currents decrease absolute humidity in air D Cold ocean currents warm nearby region

A

Which term is defined as an elongated area of low pressure? A trough B ridge C station pressure D anticyclone E cyclone

_____ precipitation is generated by frontal lifting and is generally characterized by a low precipitation rate. a. Convective b. Stratiform c. Advective d. Cirrostratus

b

the air _____ a trough is stable

behind

process where ice crystals grow at the expense of cloud water

bergeron

The title of this course is Introduction to Weather and Climate. Which statement best explains these two terms? a. Weather refers to typical climatic conditions over an extended period of time. b. Weather refers only to precipitation and wind conditions, whereas climate refers to all atmospheric activity. c. Climate refers to typical weather patterns over an extended period of time. d. Climate and weather are synonymous terms.

c

This map indicates that you would likely encounter the strongest winds ___. a. in eastern Tennessee. b. off the coast of North Carolina c. in southern South Carolina d. over the Gulf of Mexico e. in southern Alabama

c

What is "riming"? a. the mineral compounds that remain after water evaporates b. the dark undersides of cumulus clouds c. the process by which water droplets freeze on falling snowflakes d. the transference of heat across the globe through the jet stream

c

D

Which two forces are balanced when the wind is in geostrophic balance? A pressure gradient force and centripetal force B friction and pressure gradient force C Coriolis force and centripetal force D Coriolis force and pressure gradient force E Coriolis force and friction

-the coexistence of ice crystals and super cooled droplets is required -only takes place during the cool months of the year

Which two things are TRUE regarding the Bergeron process?

B

Why does upwelling occur along the west coast of South America under normal conditions? A Winds moving southward in South Pacific drive ocean currents toward south; deep water rises to replace water driven southward B Winds moving westward in South Pacific drive ocean currents toward west; deep water rises to replace water driven westward C Winds moving eastward in South Pacific drive ocean currents toward east; deep water rises to replace water driven eastward D Winds moving northward in South Pacific drive ocean currents toward north; deep water rises to replace water driven northward

Shear

Winds that change direction and speed with increasing altitude are described with what property:

Thunderstorm

You are driving across Oklahoma to visit your grandparents for Christmas. You see a dark cloud to your west and observe lightning, although it is not raining. You deduce that what is about to immediately occur is a:

convergence

____ occurs at the gust front

B

_____ occur when warm, dry wind flows down a slope, whereas _____ occur when cold, dense air flows down a slope. A Katabatic winds; country breezes B Chinook winds; katabatic winds C Valley breezes; mountain breezes D Mountain breezes; valley breezes E Chinook winds; valley breezes

"Cold clouds" are characterized as having temperatures ___. a. < -10 °C b. < 0 °C c. < 10 °C d. < 32 °C

a

. Air molecules are more densely packed near the ______ of an atmospheric column and more loosely distributed near the ________. a. bottom, top b. top, bottom c. center, periphery, d. periphery, center

a

A parcel of air is rising and has not reached the point of saturation. The vapor pressure of the air parcel ___. Meanwhile, the parcel's relative humidity ___. a. remains the same... increases b. increases... remains the same c. increases, increases d. decreases, increases e. remains the same, decreases

a

What is the dew point? a. The point at which water goes from liquid to gaseous state. b. A measure of what the outside temperature feels like. c. A measure of of the moisture content in the atmosphere. d. A soda vending point.

c

What would be the best place to go hang-gliding in the morning of a clear June day? a. a north-facing slope b. a south-facing slope c. an east-facing slope d. a west-facing slope

c

When is the monsoon experienced on the Indian Subcontinent? a. only in the winter b. only in the summer c. year-round, but with a separate dry season and wet season d. variations can be drastic from year to year, so there is no definite answer

c

Where is visible light located along the electromagnetic radiation spectrum? a. At the end representing the longest wavelengths b. At the end representing the shortest wavelengths c. Near the middle

c

Which material has the highest thermal conductivity? a. Wood b. Air c. Steel d. Water e. Sand

c

Which of the following best describes the jet stream? a. the accumulation of contrails in the sky b. the counterclockwise flow of winds in a cyclone c. the place in the atmosphere where the winds are the strongest d. the atmospheric region where the lowest gradients of pressure are observed e. all of the above

c

Which of the following cloud types is most characterized by vertical development? a. cirrostratus b. altostratus c. cumulonimbus d. altocumulus e. all of the above

c

Which of the following is NOT a primary factor in the monsoon season in India? a. the subtropical climate b. the Indian Ocean c. the Himalayan mountains d. the prevailing winds

c

Which of the following is NOT true on the winter solstice? a. solar declination is 23.5 degrees S b. the solar elevation is at its maximum in the Southern Hemisphere c. the sun's direct rays strike the Tropic of Cancer d. a 24 hour period of sunlight occurs in the Antarctic

c

Which of the following is the best definition of a front? a. Zone of high pressure. b. Zone of low pressure. c. Boundary between air masses with different temperatures. d. Boundary between air masses with different concentrations of greenhouse gases.

c

Which of the following situations does NOT result in light that is more diffuse? a. There is an increase in haze. b. There is an increase in scattering. c. There is an increase in elevation. d. There is an increase in cloud cover

c

Which of the following statements concerning the climatology of the Circumpolar Vortex (CPV) is NOT correct? a. The pattern it forms around the North Pole is asymmetrical. b. Fastest winds occur during the winter and early spring. c. The CPV is the most contracted during the winter and early spring. d. Weather patterns are most persistent during summer and early fall.

c

Which of the following statements is NOT correct? a. Pressure maps are adjusted to show air pressure as it would occur at sea level. b. Pressure maps link areas of equal pressure with isolines. c. Pressure maps display the actual pressure of every location as it is at the time of measurement. d. Pressure maps reveal areas where we might expect to find high/low winds.

c

Which of the following statements is NOT correct? a. Stratiform precipitation results from frontal lifting. b. Convective lifting can occur at a much faster rate than frontal lifting. c. Convective lifting produces low rates of precipitation whereas frontal lifting rates are generally much higher. d. The amount of water vapor that condenses is related to air temperature and proximity to warm bodies of water. e. All of these statements are correct.

c

(warm/cold) clouds are higher in the atmosphere

cold

4 ingredients for the perfect snowstorm

cold air near the surface, anticyclone to the north, wave cyclone to the south, no warm nose

precip region with the highest rates and cumulonimbus clouds

cold frontal

hydrometeors melt as they fall and increase in size as they merge with other droplets

collision coalescence

According to Wien's Law, ___. a. a cooler object will radiate energy at longer wavelengths than a hotter object. b. a hotter object will radiate energy at longer wavelengths than a cooler object. c. both cool and hot objects will radiate energy at the same wavelength, but the hotter object will produce waves with a greater amplitude. d. both cool and hot objects will radiate energy at the same wavelength, but the cooler object will produce waves with a greater amplitude.

a

Aerosols are composed of: a. solid particles b. gasses c. liquids d. all of the above e. both a and b

a

An increase in greenhouse gases has what effect on the atmosphere? a. The atmosphere will absorb more infrared radiation. b. Atmospheric temperatures decrease. c. There is more incoming shortwave radiation. d. The atmosphere will reflect more radiation back to the earth.

a

As wind fetch increases, gust factor decreases. True or False? a. True b. False

a

Automobile emissions regulations have resulted in a decrease in particulate matter in the USA since 1990. True or False? a. True b. False

a

Close proximity to which of the following would most likely disrupt the accuracy of a weather reading? a. asphalt b. wind c. weeds d. sunlight

a

During a late July in Chapel Hill, there is more shortwave radiation coming in than longwave going out. As a result, temperatures continue to increase, even though August arrives weeks after the summer solstice occurs. True or false? a. true b. false

a

During the winter solstice, the south pole receives more solar radiation over a 24 hour period than the equator does. True or False? a. True b. False

a

Earth is approximately ___ miles away from the sun. a. 92-93 million b. 9.2-9.3 million c. 92-93 billion d. 9.2-9.3 billion

a

In an environment with little water vapor in the atmosphere, great amounts of longwave radiation go out to space at night. True or false? a. True b. False

a

Most of the heating of the troposphere is the result of ________. a. the energy released from the surface via the sensible and latent heat flux b. geothermal energy in the earth's interior c. reflection of solar radiation d. absorption of incoming solar radiation

a

On March 21st, ___. a. there are 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. b. every place on earth receives the same amount of direct radiation. c. the earth travels past the two points closest to the sun along its ecliptic plane. d. the earth's axis achieves a full 23.5º tilt. e. both a and b

a

Standard atmospheric pressure is roughly ___. a. 1 bar b. 10 bars c. 100 bars d. 1000 bars

a

Suppose a surface anticyclone is situated due north of your location. What direction are the winds blowing? Assume that the winds are blowing at a 45 degree angle with respect to the isobars. a. northeast b. east c. southeast d. northwest e. north

a

The 500 mb heights (i.e. the altitude of the 500 mb pressure level) are lowest over the ________ latitudes. a. high b. low c. middle

a

The atmosphere is always stable when _______ is present. a. a temperature inversion b. an anticyclone c. a 500 mb trough d. convective lifting

a

The earth's atmosphere ___. a. expands upwards when it is warm. b. remains at a constant height regardless of temperature. c. does not compress when it is cold. d. expands eastward/westward when it is hot. e. compresses upward when it is below freezing

a

The speed of molecules increases as heat is applied. True or False? a. True b. False

a

Under what conditions would you be most likely to experience a temperature inversion? a. on a clear night, with little to no wind b. on an overcast night, with high amounts of longwave radiation returning to the earth's surface c. at any time of day, given the presence of a tropical storm d. during the early morning, on any day after the spring equinox and before the fall equinox

a

Upper level divergence is a type of forced lifting that generally occurs ahead (i.e. immediately east) of a trough. True or false? a. true b. false

a

Warm air is found south of the jet stream and cold air is found north of the jet stream in the Northern Hemisphere. True or false? a. True b. False

a

Water warms and cools more slowly than land. a. true b. false

a

We typically observe a ___ pressure system at the equator and a ___ pressure system at each of the poles. a. low... high b. high... low c. neutral... variable d. more information is needed to answer this question

a

type of uplift that results if a particle of air is warmer than its surroundings

convective uplift

2 types of uplift

convective, forced

During a typical day on the moon, the sky appears black due to ___. a. intense scattering of visible light b. scattering of ultraviolet waves c. the density of the atmospheric mass d. the absence of atmosphere

d

For precipitation to occur, droplets/snowflakes must first develop to a size that is ___ as big as cloud water droplets/ice crystals. a. twice b. 3 times c. 10 times d. 100 times e. 1000 times

d

Geostrophic winds ___. a. are found only near the earth's surface. b. are greatly affected by friction. c. flow perpendicular to pressure contours. d. result from a balance of the pressure gradient and Coriolis forces.

d

In North Carolina, we experience the highest surface atmospheric pressures in the ___. a. spring b. summer c. autumn d. winter

d

In class we have been discussing recent weather activity in the western Atlantic and Caribbean regions. What best explains the labeling of Danny as a hurricane and Erika as a tropical storm? a. Danny was far greater in size than Erika b. Danny was a typhoon whereas Erika was a cyclone c. Danny was a cyclone whereas Erika was a typhoon d. Danny was more well-organized than Erika

d

In the Northern Hemisphere tornadoes ________. DELETE THIS QUESTION a. usually spin counterclockwise b. have very low pressure in the center c. have a very high pressure gradient d. all of the above e. both a and b

d

Lucy lives in Miami, Florida. Linda lives in Portland, Maine. Both were at home this year on the 4th of July. Which of the following MUST be true? a. Lucy witnessed greater rainfall than Linda did. b. Linda experienced stronger winds than Lucy did. c. Lucy saw a fuller moon than Linda (who saw only a ¾ full moon) d. Linda watched the sunset later than Lucy did.

d

Nimbostratus clouds are typically NOT ___. a. thicker than stratus clouds b. featureless c. streaky in appearance d. anvil-shaped e. a and d

d

Of the following materials, which is the best insulator? a. wood b. metal c. water d. air

d

QUIZ 7 PICTURE 3 Which season does this image of the circumpolar vortex most likely represent? a. spring b. summer c. fall d. winter

d

Suppose a surface cyclone is situated due west of your location. What direction are the winds blowing? Assume that winds are blowing at a 45 degree angle with respect to the isobars. a. northeast b. northwest c. west d. southwest e. south

d

The movement of heat produced by a phase change in water is known as ___. a. conduction b. sensible heat flux c. convection d. latent heat flux

d

The vertical rate of change of temperature with altitude is called ____________ a. windchill effect b. convection c. high pressure systems d. lapse rate e. isobars

d

There is a _________, non-linear relationship between temperature and water vapor. Warmer air can hold _______ water. a. negative, more b. negative, less c. positive, less d. positive, more

d

What does the symbol in the attached image represent? (front) a. A Wave cyclone b. A temperature inversion c. Convection and advection d. A stationary front e. An occluded front

d

What is a "thermal"? a. a source of heat, such as the sun b. a high pressure system, such as an anticyclone c. a warm ocean current which produces a mild maritime climate for nearby landmasses d. a pocket of air that is warmer than the air surrounding it

d

What is a hydrometeor? a. particulate matter from meteor debris b. solid forms of precipitation c. liquid precipitation d. any type of precipitation e. anthropogenically influenced precipitation

d

What kinds of bodies emit electromagnetic radiation? a. all stars undergoing nuclear fusion b. all celestial bodies c. all living bodies d. all bodies

d

What sort of weather can be expected in North Carolina if the jet stream is positioned farther north than normal? a. heavy precipitation b. severe thunderstorms c. below normal temperatures d. above normal temperatures

d

Which answer best explains why heat fluxes are high off of the North American and Asian coasts in the middle of winter? a. Frigid ocean temperatures draw heat away from continental areas. b. There is increased solar activity due to the earth's closer proximity to the sun. c. The Gulf Stream typically remains dormant for much of the winter. d. Cold air blows east from land masses over relatively warm water.

d

Which of the following is NOT a factor in the "urban heat island" around cities? a. Heat stored in highly conductive materials like asphalt. b. Lack of vegetation. c. Limited evaporational cooling. d. High albedo of reflective surfaces like glass & concrete

d

Which of the following is NOT one of the phase changes of water? a. Evaporation b. Deposition c. Melting d. Declination e. Sublimation

d

Which of the following is an example of a latent heat flux? a. Shortwave radiation from the sun is absorbed by a brick wall. b. Liquid water molecules move upward in a boiling pot. c. Warm air shifts from the lower to higher altitudes, creating wind. d. Water vapor evaporates from a lake on warm afternoon, forming clouds.

d

Which of the following is not an example of forced lift? a. orographic lifting b. low level convergence lifting c. frontal lifting d. convective lifting e. upper level divergence lifting

d

Which of the following statements about the Bergeron process is NOT accurate? a. a streaky appearance in clouds can indicate that it is occurring b. it mostly occurs in high-level clouds c. it often produces ice crystals that act as "seeds" for growing hydrometeors in lower clouds d. freezing is the dominant process e. it usually involves the deposition of water vapor

d

Which of the following statements best define a "thermal low?" a. an area of low temperatures caused by high wind speeds such as found in a coastal area b. an area of high temperatures caused by low wind speeds such as found in dense forests c. an area of low pressure caused by low temperatures such as found in the arctic circle d. an area of low pressure caused by high temperatures such as found in a desert

d

Which statement best explains why a person experiences a popping sensation in their ears on an airplane? a. because they turned the music on their ear buds up too loud b. because the air pressure increases with elevation c. because the density of air increases with elevation d. because a pressure differential between the inner and outer ear is equalizing

d

Why do deserts experience significant drops in temperature during the nighttime under calm wind conditions? a. desert air has extremely low humidity b. the atmospheric transmissivity above a desert is very high c. there are few aerosols in the atmosphere above the desert d. all of the above

d

Why do temperatures continue to drop an hour after sunrise? a. Morning fog rising from bodies of water creates a cooling effect. b. The tilt of the earth's axis causes a delay in the warming of the sun. c. The low angle of the light at sunrise is reflects easily off of surfaces with high albedo. d. Radiation continues to leave the surface at a greater rate than it enters through the atmosphere.

d

Why does Boulder, Colorado have the highest rate of skin cancer in USA? a. Its light colored landscape results in more surfaces reflecting more ultraviolet radiation. b. Boulder's Q* is always < 0. c. Boulder's albedo rate is higher than those of other American cities. d. The city's elevation allows high amounts of shortwave radiation to come in.

d

Your neighbor shows you a forecast that predicts that the newly-named tropical storm will pass right over your town in the next 10-12 days. You suggest that: a. If the storm is upgraded into a "hurricane" you should evacuate as soon as possible. b. You should inspect how many models predict the same path. If the majority of predicted models show a similar path then you should evacuate as soon as possible. c. Disregard it completely because this year "El Niño" will destroy all named systems. d. Keep an eye on it and check back in about a week as its path might change in the coming days.

d

sun dog

defraction of light when it hits ice crystals in the upper atmosphere

dominant process in the bergeron process

deposition

20" to 1"

dry snow to rain ratio

A ridge in the middle to upper troposphere is related to a. Ascending air b. Higher 500mb heights c. Stable conditions d. All of the above e. B and C

e

Above the lifting condensation level: a. Heat is released b. The rate at which air cools is lowered c. Convection is more likely d. Relative humidity is 100% e. All of the above

e

As an air bubble goes higher up in the air column a. It expands b. Experiences adiabatic cooling c. Experiences adiabatic warming d. Both a and c e. Both a and b

e

Contrails are primarily formed by which process? a. freezing b. condensation c. precipitation d. deposition e. both b and d

e

During a strong el Niño event, we can expect the following weather anomalies in the Southeast US, except a. decreased snowfall b. increased precipitation c. increased cloud coverage d. stronger jet stream e. warmer than normal temperatures

e

Heat Flux: a. Depends on the temperature difference between two objects b. Is the rate of heat transfer between two objects c. Depends on the thermal conductivity of each object d. A and B only e. All of the above

e

If the sun was extinguished, what impact would it have on the weather? a. Wind speeds would increase b. Precipitation would increase c. Wind speeds would decrease d. Precipitation would decrease e. Wind and precipitation would cease to exist

e

Which of the following statements about cool air is/are accurate? a. the air molecules will be more densely packed than in warmer conditions b. the air pressure at the surface will be greater than in warmer conditions c. the air pressure higher up in the atmosphere will be lower than in warmer conditions d. the halfway point in the atmosphere will be lower down than in warmer conditions e. all of the above f. both a and b

e

Why is it sometimes "too cold to snow?" a. because the atmosphere can hold very little water at low temperatures b. because there is a positive relationship between saturation vapor pressure and temperature c. because relative humidity is inversely proportional to saturation vapor pressure d. all of the above e. both a and b

e

anvil heads spread out much more to the ____ because of wind direction

east

term for the leading edge of cool air that separates the warm and cold fronts

gust front

contrails

high clouds; consists of liquid water formed through the process of deposition and condensation

circumpolar vortex

huge wind stream that circles the globe

the place in the atmosphere where the wind blows the strongest

jet stream

when do temperature inversions occur

late night/early morning

Cumlonimbus, stratus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus, cumulus

low level clouds

stratus

low level clouds that block out the sun and can produce some drizzle

cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus

low-level clouds

altocumulus and altostratus clouds

mid-level clouds

6 conditions that favor tornado development

trough upstream, strong jet stream, surface heat/moisture, low pressure system, upper level divergence, strong winds aloft, big superstorm

there is forced lifting and rising air ahead of (troughs/ridges)

troughs

10" to 1"

typical snow to rain ratio

cumulus clouds are associated with a(n) (stable/unstable) environment

unstable

frontal lifting scenario where warm air lifts up over cool air; thick clouds and heavy precip

unstable frontal lifting

There will be less and less air from the diverging point, therefore air comes up from below and replaces it (rising air)

upper level divergence

accelerating winds exiting a trough cause air to rise

upper level divergence

what creates the anvil head

upperlevel divergence

two general cloud types

warm/cold

late afternoon

when are air mass thunderstorms most likely to happen

____ ____ dictate speed and movement of storms

winds aloft

when is jet stream is closest to NC

winter

seasons for fastest winds in the CPV

winter/early spring

precip region around a cyclone that produces snow

wrap around

overrunning

precip region where warm air overruns cold air

strato

prefix for clouds that are confined to a single level and have a layered appearance

cirro

prefix for high (cold) clouds

alto

prefix for middle (warm) clouds

nimbo

prefix for precip bearing clouds

cumulo

prefix for vertically developed clouds

seeder-feeder process

rain droplets from melted snowflakes are feed to the warm water cloud droplets; also riming

____ prevents clouds from producing precip most of the time

rising

mature stage of thunderstorm

stage where hydrometeors form, producing a downdraft when they fall; associated with heavy rain, wind, and a sudden drop in temperature

cumulus stage of thunderstorm

stage where the thunderstorm is a single updraft (thermal) developing out of cumulus clouds

dissipating stage of thunderstorm

stage where there is only a weak downdraft; cloud lightning; longest stage

An increase in greenhouse gases has what effect on the atmosphere? 1) Atmospheric temperatures decrease. 2) The atmosphere will absorb more infrared radiation. 3) There is more incoming shortwave radiation. 4) The atmosphere will reflect more radiation back to the earth.

2)

500 MB MAP TEST 3 What direction are the winds blowing from at location 1? 1. Southwest 2. South 3. Southeast 4. North 5. Northeast

2

500 MB MAP TEST 3 Which of the following locations has the warmest temperatures in the bottom half of the troposphere? 1. 1 2. 2 3. 3 4. 4

2

Along the immediate coast, the wind speed of an onshore wind is ______ and the gust factor is _______ along a coast relative to areas inland. 1. stronger, greater 2. stronger, lesser 3. weaker, greater 4. weaker, lesser

2

As one moves along with the jet stream winds, _______ air is found to the right and _______ air is found to the left. 1. cold, warm 2. warm, cold

2

Because of the Coriolis effect winds turn to the _______ in the Southern Hemisphere and to the ________ in the Northern Hemisphere. 1. right, left 2. left, right 3. right, right 4. left, left

2

Continental regions generally experience _________ conditions than maritime regions. 1. greater temperature fluctuations and wetter 2. greater temperature fluctuations and drier 3. reduced temperature fluctuations and wetter 4. reduced temperature fluctuations and drier

2

If winds are out of the northwest and the dew point has fallen, what type of front has just passed over the region? 1. warm 2. cold 3. stationary

2

Jet stream winds _________ in speed downstream of ridges causing _________ in the upper troposphere. 1. increase, convergence 2. decrease, convergence 3. increase, divergence 4. decrease, divergence

2

One reason that the Mojave Desert (Southwestern USA) is warm is that... 1. ...little vegetation results in high amounts of evaporation. 2. ...a lack of clouds results in high amounts of incoming shortwave radiation. 3. ...little vegetation results in a high latent heat flux. 4. ...a lack of clouds results in high amounts of incoming longwave radiation.

2

SURACE WEATHER MAP TEST 3 Where is the wind speed the fastest? 1. 1 2. 2 3. 3 4. 4

2

SURFACE WEATHER MAP TEST 3 What direction is the wind blowing from at location 1? 1. Northeast 2. North 3. Northwest 4. Southeast 5. South

2

Suppose precipitation is moving into the area. Which of the following scenarios is most likely to lead to a changeover of rain to snow? 1. Temperature = 36 F Dew Point Temperature = 35 F 2. Temperature = 46 F Dew Point Temperature = 0 F

2

The movement of a squall line across NC is tied to the movement of a cyclone along the ________ track. 1. Gulf-Atlantic 2. Texas- Great Lakes 3. Alberta Clipper

2

There has been a marked increase in global temperatures during the last five years (2010-2014) 1) True -110 2) False -40

2

What three processes contribute to the sensible heat flux? 1. Conduction, Contraction, Convection 2. Conduction, Convection, Advection 3. Contraction, Advection, Convection 4. Contraction, Conduction, Advection

2

What time of the year should a sea breeze be the strongest along the NC Coast? Hint: Consider seasonal changes in the thermal contrast between land and water. 1. Winter 2. Spring 3. Summer 4. Fall

2

Which hemisphere exhibits a lower seasonal range of temperature? 1. Northern 2. Southern

2

Which of the following is true near a frontal boundary? 1. Cold air lifts over warm air 2. Warm air lifts over cold air 3. Warm and cold air readily mix

2

Which of the following phase changes does NOT occur in the Bergeron process? 1. evaporation 2. sublimation 3. freezing 4. deposition 5. melting

2

500 MB MAP TEST 3 Where are rising motions most likely occurring in the troposphere? 1. 1 2. 2 3. 3 4. 4

3

Deposition involves a phase change from _______ and __________ heat (to/from) the surrounding environment. 1. solid to gas, releases 2. solid to gas, requires 3. gas to solid, releases 4. gas to solid, requires 5. liquid to gas, requires

3

B

A large body of air near the surface with nearly uniform properties (temperature, humidity, and stability) is called _______. A a monsoon B an air mass C a low-pressure system D a midlatitude cyclone E a front

-narrow line clouds formed from water vapor emitted by jets

Contrails

-multiple phase changes, includes super cooled water that evaporates and is deposited on an ice crystal -the Relative Humidity is no longer 100% -more evaporation- continues deposition water droplets get smaller and less, ice crystal gets bigger (only occurs in cold clouds)

Bergeron Process:

large droplets combine with smaller cloud water droplets to form a rain drop (warm cloud)

Collision-Coalesence Process

ACD

Convergence aloft causes _______. (Choose all correct answers.) A divergence at the surface B lower pressure at the surface C sinking air D higher pressure at the surface E rising air

counter-clockwise -rising motions promotes cloudy or stormy weather

Cyclones

A

If a large body of air has a high temperature and a low relative humidity, then the air mass is called _______. A continental tropical (cT) B maritime tropical (mT) C continental arctic (cA) D maritime polar (mP) E continental polar (cP)

C

El Niño circulation is characterized by _______. A low surface pressure near Australia B stronger trade winds C warming off coast of Ecuador D high surface pressure near Ecuador E stronger than normal upwelling

-sinking air, air in middle gets compressed and warmer and dries out -region of the most intense storm activity (strongest winds, thickest cloud cover, most intense precipitation)

Eye Wall

-duration of system over warm water -speed of movement -movement into mid-latitudes

Factors Influencing Strength of Hurricane:

locations where there is a high frequency of thunder days

Florida; Colorado

A

High pressure is associated with clear skies and calm weather. A blocking high is significant because it can cause _______. A frigid temperatures over much of United States B thunderstorms and heavy rainfall C regional flooding in large watersheds D dreary weather and long periods of precipitation E flash flooding in small watersheds

B

If Earth had no landmasses, then the idealized zonal precipitation pattern would have _______. A wet regions at equator & poles B wet regions at equator & mid-latitudes C wet regions ~30 degrees north/south of equator D dry regions at equator & poles E dry regions in midlatitudes & poles

A

If a large body of air has a high temperature and a high relative humidity, then the air mass is called _______. A maritime tropical (mT) B continental polar (cP) C maritime polar (mP) D continental arctic (cA) E continental tropical (cT)

- a line that connects all points on the map having the same pressure (lines of equal pressure).

Isobar

A

Low pressure at the surface is caused by _______. A divergence aloft B convergence aloft C divergence at the surface D sinking air

Gulf-Atlantic coast

NC always in cool sector

when is tornado season

March-May

D

Midlatitude cyclones in Northern Hemisphere _______. A do not rotate B rotate clockwise C rotate both clockwise and counter-clockwise D rotate counter-clockwise

B

Monsoons are characterized by _______. A warming in equatorial Pacific Ocean B wind system that changes its direction 2 each year C large, persistent convergence zone D large persistent divergence zone E heavy rain season

occurs when a cold front overtakes a warm front

Occluded front

C

The Coriolis force ________. A is largest at the equator B changes apparent speed of an object C changes apparent direction of an object D decreases as an object moves faster E is caused by pressure diffs from 1 place to another

bermuda high

The ___ ____ brings moisture off the atlantic ocean and gulf of mexico, leading to air mass thunderstorms

C

The thermocline is _________________. A Steep gradient in ocean that separates deeper less salty water from saltier upper water. B Steep gradient in ocean that separates deeper saltier water from less salty upper water C Steep temps gradient in ocean that separates deeper cold water from warmer upper water D a steep temperature gradient in ocean that separates deeper warm water from colder upper water

Tropopause

The anvil head of a cumulonimbus cloud ascends to which of the following levels?

Mature Stage

The heaviest rain in a thunderstorm occurs during its:

B

The idealized zonal pressure belts have low-pressure regions _______. A only along the equator B at equator & ~60 degrees north & south of equator C between 30 & 60 degrees north & south of equator D around 30 & 60 degrees north & south of equator E at North & South Poles

B

The trade winds are located _______. A over most of United States B in same latitudinal range as Hadley cell C along polar front D in same latitudinal range as polar cell E in same latitudinal range as Ferrel cell

D

The maritime tropical air mass that influences weather in Chicago, IL typically originates from __________. A north Atlantic Ocean B north Pacific Ocean C desert southwest of United States D Gulf of Mexico E Canada

B

The warm conveyor belt _______. A brings cold, dry air southward toward cold front B brings warm, moist air northward along cold front C brings cold air westward along warm front D brings warm, dry air southward toward cold front E brings warm air westward along warm front

E

The polar jet stream is located _______. A near surface between Ferrel & polar cells B near tropopause above equator C near surface between Hadley & Ferrel cells D near tropopause between Hadley & Ferrel cells E near tropopause between Ferrel & polar cells

Absolutely stable

The stability condition of the atmosphere at this level is:

C

The weather within an air mass would __________. A change rapidly from north to south across air mass B contain many storms C change very little across air mass D change rapidly from east to west across air mass

-the lower atmosphere has much more moisture in it -the intensity of the solar radiation is greater during the summer

Thunderstorms are most likely in our area during the summer because:

D

Thunderstorms are most likely located _______. A behind the cold front B ahead of the cold front C behind the warm front D along the cold front E ahead of the warm front

B

Weather conditions behind a cold front would be _______. A warm and dry, with winds from the west B cold and dry, with winds from the northwest C warm and moist, with winds from the south D cool and moist, with winds from the east

A

Weather conditions between the warm front and the cold front would be _______. A warm and moist, with winds from the south B cool and moist, with winds from the east C warm and dry, with winds from the west D cold and dry, with winds from the northwest

C

What is the Walker Circulation Cell? A Path air takes as it moves from high to low pressure, & back to high pressure, in El Niño South Pacific B Path air takes as it moves from high to low pressure, & back to high pressure, in South Atlantic El Niño C Path air takes as it moves from high to low pressure, & back to high pressure in South Pacific normal conditions D Path air takes as it moves from high to low pressure, & back to high pressure in North Pacific under normal conditions E Path air takes as it moves from high to low pressure, & back to high pressure, in South Atlantic under normal conditions

D

What is the overall effect of the stronger than normal trade winds typical of La Niña conditions? A flipping of South Pacific ocean current direction from normal conditions B raising of South Pacific ocean temp from normal conditions C swapping of South Pacific high & low pressure zones from normal conditions D lowering of South Pacific ocean temp from normal conditions

C

What would you expect weather to be like on the eastern coast of Australia if the western coast of South America were experiencing unusually warm, wet weather? A eastern coast of Australia unusually wet weather B eastern coast of Australia unusually cool weather C eastern coast of Australia unusually dry weather D eastern coast of Australia unusually warm weather

B

When a cP air mass travels from northern Canada across the Great Lakes in early Autumn, it becomes __________. A colder and less humid B warmer and more humid C colder and more humid D warmer and less humid

-clouds form in a saturated environment (relative humidity=100%), where rising air cools adiabatically and forms clouds. clouds form in any weather situation in which: water vapor is added to the air to the point that the air becomes saturated, and the atmosphere cools down and reaches saturation.

When do clouds form?

Riming

When ice crystals fall through a cloud and collide with supercooled droplets, they grow through:

absolutely stable; resist lifting.

When the environmental lapse rate is less than the saturated adiabatic lapse rate, the air will be_______ and will __________, regardless of whether or not it is saturated.

as temperature goes up, pressure goes up

When volume is held constant...

Latent Heat of condensation warms air aloft.

Where do hurricanes derive their heat energy in the organized convection theory of hurricane development?

B

Where do most cyclones form? A East Coast US B east side of Rocky Mountains and western Canada C Southwest US and northern Mexico D Midwest US E West Coast US

The sector between the warm and cold front

Where is the biggest Threat Area for tornadic development in a wave cyclone system?

B

Which direction do ocean currents in the South Pacific move under El Niño conditions? A westward B eastward C northward D southward

D

Which location in a midlatitude cyclone is likely experiencing steady, light rain (or snow) and overcast conditions? A behind the cold front B along the cold front C behind the warm front D ahead of the warm front E ahead of the cold front

the air ____ a trough is unstable

ahead of

the most common type of thunderstorm in NC

air mass thunderstorm

3 controls on precip rate

air temp, proximity to warm water, rate of lifting

"Warm" clouds form in a saturated environment when the temperatures greater than: a. 0 degrees C b. 10 degrees C c. -10 degrees C d. -20 degrees C

c

A cyclone travelling eastward passes south of North Carolina. What type of conditions would you expect to find here in Chapel Hill? a. average conditions b. conditions warmer than average c. conditions cooler than average

c

A high altitude cloud is likely to a. Have temperatures > -10°C b. Produce most precipitation through the collision-coalescence process c. Produce precipitation through the Bergeron Process. d. Be referred to as a "warm cloud"

c

A typical rain drop is ___ times the size of a typical cloud water droplet. a. 10 b. 50 c. 100 d. 1000

c

Albedo is a description of ___. a. the radiation emitted from the Earth at a particular location. b. the redirection of visible light due to particles in the atmosphere. c. the reflectivity of a surface. d. the intensity of a wavelength.

c

An elongated region of high pressure is known as a ___. a. trough b. cyclone c. ridge d. hollow e. gradient

c

As urbanization increases: a. We increase the amount dark surfaces that absorb incoming shortwave radiation b. The amount of outgoing Infrared radiation is increased c. Both A and B d. None of the above

c

Below the LCL, rising air → _______ → Saturation Vapor Pressure ________ → Relative humidity _______ a. cooling, decreases, decreases b. expanding, decreases, decreases c. cooling, decreases, increases d. warming, decreases, increases e. expanding, increases, increases

c

Extreme weather often occurs when the jet stream______. a. moves around a ridge b. slows down c. is in an unusual position d. passes over a tall mountain range

c

If local weather reports say dew point is 69ºF and that current temperature is 71ºF, then a 2ºF drop in surface temperature would cause: a. A temperature inversion b. Convection c. Fog at the surface d. Evaporation at the surface e. a transfer from sensible energy to latent energy

c

If there is no moisture in the environment, then incoming shortwave radiation absorbed by the surface will ______ a. be reflected by any surface b. transform into latent heat c. transform into sensible heat d. transform into specific heat e. have nothing to reflect from

c

Isobars are: a. a unit of barometric pressure b. a unit of atmospheric pressure c. lines of equal pressure d. lines of equal temperature

c

Relative humidity indicates: a. the difference in humidity between two air masses b. the amount of water vapor in the air c. how close the air is to being saturated with water d. the likelihood of precipitation

c

Solar declination is ______. a. the rate of the gradual burning up of the sun b. the angle of the sun from the nearest horizon c. the latitude at which the sun's direct rays hit the earth d. the time that it takes for the sun's rays to reach the earth

c

Surface winds over land blow ________ over long distance. a. from high to low pressure (i.e. perpendicular to isobars) b. parallel to the isobars c. at a 30-45 degree angle with respect to the isobars

c

The "Little Ice Age" (roughly 1650-1700 CE) was characterized by which of the following? a. anomalies in Wein's Law b. unusually high levels of albedo c. below average sunspot occurrences d. extremely weak El Ninos

c

The Earth completes one full revolution along the plane of the ecliptic every ___. a. 365 days b. 24 hours c. 365.25 days d. 24.25 hours

c

The circulation of cyclones is ___. a. counterclockwise everywhere on earth b. clockwise everywhere on earth c. counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere d. counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere and clockwise in the northern hemisphere

c

Which of the following would NOT be an appropriate use of a climatological record? a. an airline consults the climatological record of wind speed and direction to predict flight times three months in advance. b. the National Weather Service slightly increases temperatures in their 5-day forecast using climatological records to adjust for the uncertainty in their weather models. c. a meteorologist identifies a tropical weather system developing in the Caribbean but determines it will not develop into a hurricane based on climatological records.

c

Which statement about sea breeze and monsoon wind cycles is correct? a. Monsoons and sea breezes both occur diurnally. b. Monsoons and sea breezes both occur annually. c. Monsoons occur annually whereas and sea breezes occur diurnally. d. Monsoons occur diurnally whereas and sea breezes occur annually.

c

Which term describes the total solar radiation at a given location over a given period of time? a. solar declination b. solar constant c. solar insolation d. solar emission

c

____________ has a _________ effect on the environment. This is why surface temperature hangs at 0° C until all water has changed state. a. Sublimation, warming b. Deposition, cooling c. Freezing, warming d. Melting, warming

c

high, thin clouds which cover most of the sky and can produce sun dogs

cirrostratus

clouds associated with daytime heating when RH is high

cumulus

A higher dewpoint temperature means: a. This is how the temperature outside will actually feel like b. There is MORE moisture in the air c. There is LESS moisture in the air d. The dewpoint temperature has no relationship with the moisture content in the air

d

A low pressure feature at the surface is often found________. a. downstream of a 500 mb trough b. where the air is rising c. where upper level divergence is occurring d. all of the above e. both a and b

d

A map displaying isobars will NOT tell us ___. a. where wind speeds are the highest b. the directions of prevailing winds c. where a high pressure system might be found d. where the gust factor is the greatest

d

A sea breeze front can best be explained as ___. a. warm and cool air masses coming together and the warm mass lifting above the cool one b. air diverging out and producing a low pressure situation c. ocean air cooling adiabatically d. air masses coming from different directions, converging, and convectively upwards

d

All of the following factors contribute to the earth being cooler at the north pole in the summer than it is in North Carolina EXCEPT for: a. albedo b. angle of incidence c. absorption of radiation by clouds d. condensation e. evaporational cooling

d

Assume that the air is not close to saturation. If the temperature of the air decreases, the saturation vapor pressure will ________ and the vapor pressure will ________. i. increase, increase b. decrease, increase c. increase, decrease d. decrease, be unaffected e. increase, be unaffected

d

At night, the places closer to the ground are ________ because of __________ a. cooler, high dewpoint b. warmer, latent heat c. cooler, lapse rate d. warmer, longwave radiation e. cooler, convection

d

At the equinox there are 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness ________. a. at the equator b. in the arctic circle c. in the antarctic circle d. everywhere on earth

d

At what height range in the atmosphere are "middle clouds" found? a. 200' to 2,000' b. 500' to 8,000' c. 4,000' to 10,000' d. 8,000' to 20,000' e. 20,000' to 50,000'

d

Big, thick clouds that produce thunderstorms are _____ clouds. a. Stratocumulus b. Altostratus c. Cirrostratus d. Cumulonimbus

d

Clouds are composed of______. a. water vapor b. ice crystals c. water droplets d. all of the above

d