Exam 3

Mesocyclone

A cylinder of cyclonically flowing air that form vertically inside a severe thunderstorm.

What is defined as the measure of the degree to which a region's climate typifies that of an interior of a large landmass.

Continentality

An air mass that forms over the southernmost portions of the Pacific ocean (near Antarctica) would be a ​[?] air mass: a. mP (maritime Polar) b. cP (continental Polar) c. cA (continental Arctic) d. mT (maritime Tropical)

a. mP (maritime Polar)

"Hot and wet" temperature and precipitation patterns are characteristics of a. rainforests in the equatorial tropics. b. humid continental climates that have mild summers. c. highland climates. d. cold steppe climates.

a. rainforests in the equatorial tropics.

A cold air mass originating over an ocean is designated a. cP. b. mP. c. mT. d. cT.

mP

A cool and moist airmass associated with a coast.

mP- maritime polar

A warm and moist airmass associated with a coast.

mT - Maritime tropical

Tornadoes that travel across lakes or oceans are called (blank)

waterspouts

In the graphical model of a mature mid-latitude cyclones below, select the number associated with coldest surface air temperatures.

2

In the graphical model of a mature mid-latitude cyclones below, select the number associated with the location of the warm front.

2

The Dry Climates (Group B) have less precipitation than evaporation. Dry climate zones cover about (blank) percent of the world's land area.

26

Thunderstorm

A storm that typically ranges in size from several kilometers (several miles) to over 50 kilometers (30 miles) in diameter created by the rapid lifting of moist warm air which creates a cumulonimbus cloud.

Cold Front

A transition zone in the atmosphere where an advancing cold air mass displaces a warm air mass.

Occluded Front

A transition zone in the atmosphere where an advancing cold air mass sandwiches a warm air mass between another cold air mass pushing the warm air into the upper atmosphere.

Warm Front

A transition zone in the atmosphere where an advancing warm air mass displaces a cold air mass.

Hurricane

An intense cyclonic storm consisting of an organized mass of thunderstorms that develops over the warm oceans of the tropics.

Long-lasting rainstorms occur when a cold air front encounters a receding warm air front.

False

The only source of flooding related to a hurricane is from excessive rainfall.

False

When a cold air front moves rapidly toward a warm air front, there isn't time to predict the light and longer-lasting rains that result from the warm air dissipating.

False

Storm Surge

Relatively rapid rise in the height of the ocean along a coastline.

What type of climate only found in the Northern Hemisphere because there is no large landmass at the same latitude in the Southern Hemisphere

Subarctic

The highest number of tornadoes in the United States occurs in the southern plains, south of Lake Michigan, and west central Florida. This region of the United States is known as (blank) (blank)

Tornado Alley

All of the following names refer to tropical cyclones: cyclone, typhoon, hurricane, willy willy.

True

In addition to the dangers of flooding and wind speed from the hurricanes, tornadoes are also commonly associated with hurricanes.

True

Rainstorms are generally shorter when a cold air front comes in quickly and collides with a warm air front.

True

Violent weather are more commonly associated with a cold front.

True

When warm air collides with a cold air front, its slow journey up the slope of the cold air front causes longer rains.

True

Updraft

Upward movement of air in the atmosphere.

Tropical cyclones can be short or long-lived storms. Using the above figure of Hurricane Ike, how long was the storm rated a hurricane? a. 10 days b. 5 days c. 1 day d. Full 14 days

a. 10 days

Climographs represent averaged weather data for what duration of time? a. 30 years b. 300 years c. 50 years d. It varies from one climograph to another since there is no set time

a. 30 years

Which of the following is true of the Mediterranean climate? a. Dry summers and wet winters b. Year-round drought c. Year-round rainfall d. High sun season is rainy season

a. Dry summers and wet winters

Which part of a hurricane consists of dry, descending air? a. Eye b. Spiral bands c. Eye wall d. There are no dry conditions in a hurricane.

a. Eye

Which location experiences greater temperature variability over a year? a. Houston, Texas b. Mangalore, India

a. Houston, Texas

Which location is warmer in the month of August (A)? a. Houston, Texas b. Mangalore, India

a. Houston, Texas

Which storm systems usually create the greatest damage? a. Hurricanes. b. Tornadoes. c. Thunderstorms. d. Mid-latitude cyclone.

a. Hurricanes.

Where does rain occur in a warm front? a. Rain occurs along and in front of a warm front b. Rain occurs along and behind a warm front

a. Rain occurs along and in front of a warm front

What are climate zones a. areas that are divided by precipitation and temperature b. different levels of hills and mountains divided by altitude c. weather at different times of day in different months d. areas that are divided mainly by clouds and time

a. areas that are divided by precipitation and temperature

Wave cyclones are most common a. in the mid-latitudes. b. in the tropics. c. near the Equator. d. near the North Pole. e. near the South Pole.

a. in the mid-latitudes.

A climograph a. shows the monthly precipitation and temperature for a location. b. indicates the soil types found at a location. c. usually shows hourly temperature variability. d. is a table showing the intensity of severe weather affecting a location.

a. shows the monthly precipitation and temperature for a location.

Most warm air masses affecting North America a. are moist b. are continental c. originate over Mexico d. only provide warm air to the Southern United States

are moist

Broadly define where the majority of Tropical climates are located using the above figure. a. Temperate regions b. Equatorial regions c. Polar regions d. Evenly distributed across the globe

b. Equatorial regions

Type of climate s normally located along leeward lower east coast continents such as in southeast and central Argentina, Uruguay and south of Brazil, the southeast portions of east Asia, the southern United States, South Africa, and eastern Australia a. Marine West Coast Climates b. Humid Subtropical Hot-Summer Climate c. Mediterranean Dry-Summer Climate d. Tropical monsoon climate

b. Humid Subtropical Hot-Summer Climate

Which location experiences a near absence of rain during the northern hemisphere winter months (D-M)? a. Houston, Texas b. Mangalore, India

b. Mangalore, India

A rainshadow is most often associated with which atmospheric lifting mechanism? a. Frontal b. Orographic c. Convectional d. Convergence

b. Orographic

Storms are given a name once they exceed 38 mph sustained winds during this stage. a. Tropical depression b. Tropical storm c. Tropical disturbance d. Hurricane

b. Tropical storm

During the summer months, which is the warmest air mass? a. mP b. cT c. cA d. mT

b. cT

The scale that correlates wind speed and structural damage in a tornado is the a. Mercator scale. b. enhanced Fujita scale. c. Saffir-Simpson scale. d. Mercali scale.

b. enhanced Fujita scale.

Where are tropical cyclones found? a. middle latitudes b. lower and middle latitudes c. lower and upper latitudes d. middle and upper latitudes e. lower latitudes

b. lower and middle latitudes

Dry climates are most common a. on west coasts in the mid-latitudes. b. near areas of sub-tropical high pressure. c. near the ITCZ. d. in mid-latitude coastal areas.

b. near areas of sub-tropical high pressure.

Consider the climograph in Fig 3. Which month averages the most rainfall? a. July b. January c. August d. October

c. August

Midlatitude cyclones in the United States rotate in which direction? a. Clockwise b. Vertically c. Counterclockwise d. Randomly

c. Counterclockwise

Which of the following is not true of tropical and subtropical hot desert climates? a. They are generally found on the western side of continents. b. In some areas, such as the Sahel, desert conditions are expanding. c. In most years, they do not receive any precipitation. d. Annual average temperatures are above 18°C (64.4°F). e. They are under the influence of subtropical high pressure systems.

c. In most years, they do not receive any precipitation.

What is occlusion in a midlatitude cyclone? a. Occlusion is the process by which rain from a cyclone obscures visibility b. Occlusion is the process by which clouds from a cyclone run out of rain c. Occlusion is the process by which a cold front overtakes a warm front d. Occlusion is the process by which a warm front overtakes a cold front

c. Occlusion is the process by which a cold front overtakes a warm front

How are rain patterns different near warm and cold fronts? a. Rain near a cold front occurs over a smaller spatial area and is less intense than near a warm front b. Rain near a cold front occurs over a wider spatial area and is more intense than near a warm front c. Rain near a cold front occurs over a smaller spatial area and is more intense than near a warm front d. Rain near a cold front occurs over a wider spatial area and is less intense than near a warm front

c. Rain near a cold front occurs over a smaller spatial area and is more intense than near a warm front

Based on long-term hurricane data and the above figure, what is the date with the most storms? a. September 20 b. August 20 c. September 10 d. October 10

c. September 10

Hurricane Ike made multiple landfalls. Which US state was the first impacted directly? a. Florida b. Louisiana c. Texas d. Arkansas

c. Texas

Unlike the rest of the continental United States, South Florida is mostly classified as Am or ________. a. Tropical Rainforest b. Tropical Savana c. Tropical Monsoon d. Tropical Coastal

c. Tropical Monsoon

During this stage, there is little to no rotation associated with the storm. a. Tropical depression b. Tropical storm c. Tropical disturbance d. Hurricane

c. Tropical disturbance

What happens when air masses of different temperatures meet? a. The air masses move apart quickly b. The warm air mass pulls the cool air mass into its center c. Well-defined boundaries form between the air masses d. The air masses mix readily

c. Well-defined boundaries form between the air masses

When do midlatitude cyclones stop producing storms? a. When the cyclone enters a region of limited heat energy b. When the cyclone enters a region of limited surface water supply c. When the cold front has completely taken over the warm front d. When the warm front has completely taken over the cold front

c. When the cold front has completely taken over the warm front

What is a tropical cyclone? a. a high-pressure disturbance that develops over cold, tropical waters b. a low-pressure disturbance that develops over cold, tropical waters c. a low-pressure disturbance that develops over warm, tropical waters d. a high-pressure disturbance that develops over warm, tropical waters

c. a low-pressure disturbance that develops over warm, tropical waters

Tundra climates a. never have temperatures above 0 °F. b. are comprised of a combination of tall trees, shrubs, and grasslands. c. are found at both high latitudes and high altitudes. d. are not currently affected by global warming.

c. are found at both high latitudes and high altitudes.

Which is the coldest air mass? a. mP b. cT c. cA d. mT

c. cA

Tropical rainforest climates are produced by a. sub-tropical high pressure. b. sub-polar high pressure. c. converging air near the equator. d. cold ocean currents.

c. converging air near the equator.

What is the condition of outside air at a certain time and place a. elevation pressure b. elementary aspects c. elements of weather d. elements of climate

c. elements of weather

What causes wind on top of hills and mountains a. cool air raising while hot air sinks b. cool air and hot air hitting each other c. hot air raising while cool air sinks d. cool air and rain clouds

c. hot air raising while cool air sinks

Global circulation patterns of winds and ocean currents, which drive weather systems and, ultimately, climate patterns are created by? a. the Coriolis force. b. frictional force caused by the Earth's spinning on its axis. c. latitudinal energy imbalance between tropical and polar regions. d. the differential heating properties of land and water. e. differential cloud cover over Earth's surface.

c. latitudinal energy imbalance between tropical and polar regions.

"Cold and dry" temperature and precipitation patterns are characteristics of a. subtropical latitudes. b. humid continental climates that have mild summers. c. polar climates. d. subarctic cool-summer climates.

c. polar climates.

Climate is a. the weather of a region. b. the short-term condition of the atmosphere. c. the long-term atmospheric condition including extremes that may occur. d. a reference to temperature patterns only.

c. the long-term atmospheric condition including extremes that may occur.

Tropical cyclones do not form exactly on the Equator because a. the surface water temperatures are too warm. b. there is not enough ocean to provide moisture for the storm. c. there is no Coriolis force at the Equator. d. there is not enough cold air at the Equator.

c. there is no Coriolis force at the Equator.

A very cold and very dry airmass located over land.

cA - Continental arctic

A warm and dry airmass located over land.

cT- continental tropical

In the United States, mid-latitude cyclone development is usually the result of a. hurricanes becoming extra-tropical cyclones. b. heavy rainfall in the southern Pacific Ocean. c. orographic lifting. d. the interaction of cP and mT air masses.

d. the interaction of cP and mT air masses.

When scientists talk about (blank), they're often looking at averages of precipitation, temperature, humidity, sunshine, wind, and other measures of weather that occur over a long period in a particular place. In some instances, they might look at these averages over (blank) years. And, we refer to these three-decade averages of weather observations as Climate (blank)

climate, 30, normals

Summer afternoon thundershowers in the southeastern United States are more than likely a result of a. convection lifting. b. orographic lifting. c. frontal lifting. d. subtropical high pressure disturbance.

convection lifting

Which statement best describes why there are so many more tornadoes since the 1990s? a. Population increases result in more tornadoes reported than before b. Technology allows for easier spotting with radar and easier confirmation with smartphones c. Temperatures are cooling resulting in more violent weather events d. A and B only e. All of the above

d. A and B only

Which of the following statements about midlatitudes cyclones are correct? a. The cold front advances faster than the center of the storm, and the warm front advances more slowly than the center b. Surface winds move counterclockwise. c. The entire cyclone moves from west to east. d. All of the above

d. All of the above

Why are nocturnal (nighttime) tornadoes so dangerous? a. Many in danger are sleeping and unaware b. Warning systems are inadequate c. Twice as deadly as daytime due to response d. All of the above

d. All of the above

Which location corresponds with a hot desert climate type? Please reference Fig. 4. a. A b. B c. C d. D e. E f. F

d. D

Which of the following is false regarding the tropical rain forest ecosystems? a. The soils are nutrient-poor. b. Very little light reaches the forest floor. c. Organic matter decomposes very rapidly. d. Low-growing vegetation is dense to the forest floor.

d. Low-growing vegetation is dense to the forest floor.

What are midlatitdue cyclones a. Stationary low-pressure cells that move in the band of the easterlies b. Migrating low-pressure cells that move in the band of the easterlies c. Stationary low-pressure cells that move in the band of the westerlies d. Migrating low-pressure cells that move in the band of the westerlies

d. Migrating low-pressure cells that move in the band of the westerlies

The highest frequency of tornadoes in the United States occurs in a. Nebraska b. South Dakota. c. Florida d. Oklahoma

d. Oklahoma

Why does rain occur near a cold front? a. Falling cold air warms, resulting in cloud formation and rain b. Rising warm air warms, resulting in cloud formation and rain c. Falling cold air cools, resulting in cloud formation and rain d. Rising warm air cools, resulting in cloud formation and rain

d. Rising warm air cools, resulting in cloud formation and rain

Interpret the Am climograph for Miami, FL. Which of the following best describe the expected climate? a. Winters are on average 20-30 degrees cooler than summers and precipitation is consistent year-round. b. Winters are on average 20-30 degrees cooler than summers and precipitation is limited during the winter months. c. Winters are modestly cooler (~10-15 degrees) than summers and precipitation is consistent year-round. d. Winters are modestly cooler (~10-15 degrees) than summers and precipitation is limited during the winter months.

d. Winters are modestly cooler (~10-15 degrees) than summers and precipitation is limited during the winter months.

Orographic lifting is a. air rising due to convergence at the surface. b. air rising due to heating of the surface. c. air forced to rise along a front between air masses. d. air forced to rise over a barrier, such as a mountain range.

d. air forced to rise over a barrier, such as a mountain range.

The temperature curve on the climograph of a tropical rainforest climate will typically a. vary substantially throughout the year. b. show a rapid downward trend in winter. c. show a rapid downward trend in summer. d. fluctuate only slightly around 80 °F during the year.

d. fluctuate only slightly around 80 °F during the year.

Locations with the greatest average annual temperature variability are usually a. in the tropics. b. near the geographic poles. c. along the coasts in the mid-latitudes. d. in the interior of continents in the mid-latitudes. e. along coasts in the sub-tropics.

d. in the interior of continents in the mid-latitudes.

Why is warm, moist air considered the "fuel" for a hurricane? a. Air warms as it rises. As air warms, liquid water will evaporate out as water vapor. Evaporation releases heat, providing energy to the hurricane. b. Air warms as it rises. As air warms, water vapor will condense out as liquid water. Condensation absorbs heat, providing energy to the hurricane. c. Air cools as it rises. As air cools, liquid water will evaporate out as water vapor. Evaporation absorbs heat, providing energy to the hurricane. d. Air cools as it rises. As air cools, liquid water will evaporate out as water vapor. Evaporation releases heat, providing energy to the hurricane. e. Air cools as it rises. As air cools, water vapor will condense out as liquid water. Condensation releases heat, providing energy to the hurricane.

e. Air cools as it rises. As air cools, water vapor will condense out as liquid water. Condensation releases heat, providing energy to the hurricane.

Tropical monsoon climates a. have a dry season that persists for at least one month. b. have high average annual rainfall. c. are produced by the movement of the ITCZ. d. are most common along tropical coasts. e. All of the above.

e. All of the above.

What was the first stage of Hurricane Ike (and most tropical cyclones)? a. Extratropical stage b. Tropical storm c. Low d. Hurricane stage e. Tropical depression

e. Tropical depression

Mid-latitude or (blank) cyclones are large traveling atmospheric cyclonic storms up to 2000 km (1250 mi) in diameter with centers of low atmospheric pressure.

frontal, extratropical, or wave (any work)

Tropical storms officially become a (blank) when their sustained wind speed exceeds 119 kph (74 mph).

hurricane, cyclone, typhoon, baguio, or tropical cyclone

The (blank) climate is strongly influenced by the oceans, which maintain fairly steady temperatures across the seasons.

maritime

Which climate type is considered an arid climate in which the total annual precipitation is less than half the annual potential evapotranspiration?

midlatitude desert

(blank) climates are found across the continents that border the (blank) Ocean, (blank), and (blank)

polar, arctic, greenland, antarctica

(blank) is an increase in the height of the ocean's surface in the region beneath and around the eye of a hurricane.

storm surge

Two of the most important factors determining an area's climate are (blank) and (blank)

temperature, precipitation

The (blank) desert is an environment of extremes: it is the driest and hottest place on earth

tropical

Which climate has the highest mean annual temperature of any climate on Earth?

tropical desert

(blank) climates are found mainly around the (blank). They have high (blank) and lots of (blank) throughout the year. Conditions thus are very humid. Because these climates provide plenty of heat and water, they are lush in vegetation and animal life

tropical, equator, temperatures, rain