Meteo 3 Final
The area of the United States with the highest annual average number of thunderstorm days is in the state of ________. Oklahoma Florida Iowa Texas California
Florida
In terms of computerized climate models, the acronym GCM stands for... General Climate Model Global Circulation Mechanism Global Climate Mechanism General Circulation Model
General Circulation Model
_____________ sit above the equator and orbit the earth at the same rate that the planet rotates, so they are essentially parked over the same spot on earth. NEXRAD Doppler radar all satellites Polar-orbiting satellites Geostationary satellites
Geostationary satellites
Why are high sea-surface temperatures important to the formation and development of tropical cyclones? High sea-surface temperatures work to reduce relative humidity in the lower and middle troposphere. High sea-surface temperatures act to increase wind shear which promotes cyclone formation. High sea-surface temperatures promote more evaporation of water from the ocean surface and also act to destabilize the lower troposphere. High sea-surface temperatures increase the strength of the Coriolis Force.
High sea-surface temperatures promote more evaporation of water from the ocean surface and also act to destabilize the lower troposphere.
___________ is one name for a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained wind speeds of at least 74 miles per hour. Super typhoon. Hurricane Tropical storm. Tropical depression.
Hurricane
Which of the following is not a criterion for a thunderstorm to be classified as severe by the National Weather Service? It spawns a tornado. It produces strong winds. It produces large hail. It produces heavy rain.
It produces heavy rain.
_____________ provide most of the annual snowfall that occurs downwind of the southern and eastern shores of the Great Lakes. Snow squalls right along cold fronts Lake-effect snows Cold conveyor-belts Overrunning snows
Lake-effect snows
Which of the following is not an example of a remotely sensed observation? Police officer using a radar gun to check the speed of your car. An image of Earth taken by a radiometer aboard an orbiting satellite. An x-ray of your lungs Measurements of temperature taken by a liquid-in-glass thermometer
Measurements of temperature taken by a liquid-in-glass thermometer
Historically, which of the following states is most likely to have a tornado during the month of January? South Dakota Maine Virginia Mississippi
Mississippi
Which of the following is true about multicell thunderstorms? Multicell thunderstorms have strongly rotating updrafts. Multicell thunderstorms produce most of the strongest tornadoes. New thunderstorms are repeatedly initiated along the gust front Multicell thunderstorms form when vertical wind shear is very weak.
New thunderstorms are repeatedly initiated along the gust front
Which of the following satellites would be ideal for obtaining a detailed image near the North Pole? Geostationary satellites Polar-orbiting satellites Doppler satellites IR satellites
Polar-orbiting satellites
Which of the following is not an example of an in-situ observation? Golfer tossing grass into the air to gauge wind direction. Wind vane on top of a building measuring wind direction. Police officer using a radar gun to check the speed of your car. Liquid-in-glass thermometer measuring the water temperature at your local swimming pool.
Police officer using a radar gun to check the speed of your car.
The transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves is called: Convection Radiation Conduction Magnetism Advection
Radiation
____________ is a dramatic rise in sea level, primarily as a result of fierce onshore winds pushing water toward shore, where it piles up and moves inland. Storm surge A cyclone tsunami High tide Spiral banding
Storm surge
________ clouds are characterized primarily by having a layered structure, indicating that they are developing in a relatively stable environment. Nimbus Stratus Cumulus Rain
Stratus
When meteorologists or climatologists talk about the "normal" temperature for a given location (say for a particular day), they are referring to... The 30-year average temperature for that particular day. The average temperature of the month in which that day occurs. The average of the minimum temperatures over the climate period of record for that particular day The expected temperature for that day. The temperature for which exactly half of the last 30 years observations fell above or below (on that particular day).
The 30-year average temperature for that particular day.
You're given a chart of daily high temperatures during a given month and tasked with finding the range in temperatures of this data. To complete your task you need to determine... The total number of observations The difference between the largest value to the smallest value The value on the first day to the values on the last day The sum of all the observations divided by the total number of observations. The average day-to-day variability of the temperature.
The difference between the largest value to the smallest value
Which of the following best explains the phenomenon that's often referred to as "heat lightning"? The spontaneous discharge of static electricity from hot, humid air. Any lightning that develops because it's so hot. Lightning strokes which travel from cloud-to-cloud rather than from cloud-to-ground. The flashes of light from the lightning of distant thunderstorms (too far away to hear the thunder).
The flashes of light from the lightning of distant thunderstorms (too far away to hear the thunder).
The hydrological cycle can best be defined as: The occasional occurrence of rain drops never making it to the surface, but instead evaporate to make new clouds. The fact that all drains lead to the ocean. The process by which waste water is recycled and returned to a reservoir to be again used by a population. The journey of water as it shuttles back and forth between the earth and the atmosphere. The process by which clouds form.
The journey of water as it shuttles back and forth between the earth and the atmosphere.
If humankind could figure out a means for completely eliminating the greenhouse effect, which of the following would best describe the planet? Nothing would change. The Greenhouse Effect is a "minor player" in terms of its effect on the planet. Agriculture would flourish like never before, perhaps solving the world hunger crisis. The planet would be too cold for life as we know it This would solve one of the greatest problems of our time. The planet would be nearly too warm for habitation.
The planet would be too cold for life as we know it
Which of the following statement describes a practical example of the Wien's law? The earth radiates more energy per unit area than the sun. The sun radiates more energy per unit area than the earth. The sun radiates at shorter wavelengths and the earth radiates at longer wavelengths. The sun radiates primarily at longer wavelengths than the earth. The earth radiates at shorter wavelengths than the sun.
The sun radiates at shorter wavelengths and the earth radiates at longer wavelengths.
_______________ is the generic name given to low-pressure systems that form over warm tropical or subtropical seas. Tornado Super typhoon Tropical cyclone Hadley cell
Tropical cyclone
Observed warming and cooling of Earth's climate is a result of... only increases in the greenhouse effect solar cycles only only anthropogenic influences a combination of all natural and athropogenic climate-change drivers
a combination of all natural and athropogenic climate-change drivers
An isopleth is... a contour connecting points of equal value a contour connecting the points of maximum and minimum value a contour that always connects points of constant temperature a contour that always connects points of constant pressure
a contour connecting points of equal value
A decrease in the number of water vapor molecules present results in... an increase in condensation rates net condensation a decrease in condensation rates no change in condensation rates
a decrease in condensation rates
Overrunning on the cold side of a warm front or stationary front typically results in... a thin band of cumulus clouds. a thinning of the cloud deck. perfectly clear skies. a gradually thickening deck of stratiform clouds.
a gradually thickening deck of stratiform clouds.
Limitations of the Saffir-Simpson Scale include... its inability to classify hurricanes with sustained winds greater than 100 miles per hour. a lack of information about wind speeds. its emphasis on wind gusts instead of maximum sustained winds. a lack of information about the size of the storm, potential damage from storm surge, or flooding potential from heavy rain.
a lack of information about the size of the storm, potential damage from storm surge, or flooding potential from heavy rain.
Which of the following best describes the appearance of stratiform precipitation on radar? a thin band of very heavy precipitation small, isolated areas of intense precipitation small, isolated areas of very light precipitation a large area of fairly steady precipitation
a large area of fairly steady precipitation
A large temperature gradient refers to... no change in temperature over a certain distance a large change in temperature with time a large change in temperature over a certain distance a small change in temperature over a certain distance
a large change in temperature over a certain distance
All else being equal, the highest summer temperatures would tend to occur at... a low altitude, low latitude city a high altitude, high latitude city a low altitude, high latitude city a high altitude, low latitude city
a low altitude, low latitude city
On a water vapor image, a cold effective layer signals... a very dry upper troposphere. the presence of low clouds. very moist air near the surface (high dew points). a relatively high concentration of water vapor and/or ice clouds in the upper troposphere.
a relatively high concentration of water vapor and/or ice clouds in the upper troposphere.
A sea-level pressure of 1050 millibars is... the lowest value ever recorded on Earth. a representative value for a strong high-pressure system. a representative value for a hurricane. the highest value ever recorded on Earth.
a representative value for a strong high-pressure system.
Increased sulfur aerosol concentrations in the atmosphere from anthropogenic sources favors... a gradual warming of the planet because of the greenhouse effect. the destruction of ozone in the stratosphere. a slight cooling of the planet because more solar radiation gets scattered back to space. a gradual warming of the planet because of increases in incoming solar radiation.
a slight cooling of the planet because more solar radiation gets scattered back to space.
Living close to a large body of water, you will experience ________ than if you lived farther inland. higher summer temperatures a smaller seasonal range in temperatures lower winter temperatures A larger seasonal range in temperatures
a smaller seasonal range in temperatures lower winter temperatures
An intense, short-lived burst of heavy snow that's often accompanied by gusty winds is called ______________. a mesocyclone lake-effect snow a snow squall
a snow squall
The greenhouse effect is primarily the result of ________. absorption and emission of ultraviolet radiation by the Earth's surface absorption and emission of visible radiation by the atmosphere reflection of visible radiation by clouds absorption and emission of ultraviolet radiation by the atmosphere absorption and emission of infrared radiation by the atmosphere
absorption and emission of infrared radiation by the atmosphere
Pressure readings shown on surface weather maps are the air pressures ________. adjusted to sea level adjusted to the average height of all weather stations averaged over the last 6 hours averaged over a large area measured at the weather station
adjusted to sea level
In the Northern Hemisphere Winter, the subtropical jet stream can influence U.S. weather by... aiding in the development of powerful winter storms that affect the East Coast. causing ice storms in the northern Great Plains region of the country. providing a warm climate for southern states to grow citrus crops. creating the "January thaw".
aiding in the development of powerful winter storms that affect the East Coast.
Which of the following describes the "secondary circulation" of a mature tropical cyclone? air parcels in toward the center at high altitudes, then sink dramatically, and then flow outward near the surface air parcels rise in the eye, and sink in the surrounding eye wall air parcels flow in toward the center of the storm at low altitudes, rise in thunderstorms, and then flow outward at the top of the storm air flows counterclockwise around the center of low pressure
air parcels flow in toward the center of the storm at low altitudes, rise in thunderstorms, and then flow outward at the top of the storm
Warm fronts and stationary fronts are anafronts because... air rises on the cold side of the front via overrunning. cold advection occurs on the cold side of the front. thunderstorms always occur along the front. air sinks on the cold side of the front.
air rises on the cold side of the front via overrunning.
Most cold fronts are katafronts, which means that... air sinks on the cold side of the front. the front lies in a ridge of high pressure. air rises on the cold side of the front. rain occurs behind the cold front.
air sinks on the cold side of the front.
Most cold fronts are katafronts, which means that... rain occurs behind the cold front. air rises on the cold side of the front. air sinks on the cold side of the front. the front lies in a ridge of high pressure.
air sinks on the cold side of the front.
According to Kirchoff's Law, and object with constant temperature which absorbs radiation efficiently at a certain wavelength will... not emit any radiation at that wavelength emit very little radiation at that wavelength emit more radiation with time also emit radiation efficiently at that wavelength emit less radiation with time
also emit radiation efficiently at that wavelength
The rotation of the earth causes... an apparent force called the Coriolis force. air to flow directly from higher pressure toward lower pressure. air to slow down. air to start moving horizontally.
an apparent force called the Coriolis force.
On a map of isotherms, an area with a small temperature gradient would appear as... an area with many closed isotherms an area with a tight packing of isotherms an area with large temperature changes an area with a loose packing of isotherms
an area with a loose packing of isotherms
On a map of isobars, an area with a large pressure gradient would appear as... an area with no isobars an area with a loose packing of isobars an area with a single closed isobar an area with a tight packing of isobars an area with one isobar
an area with a tight packing of isobars
Net evaporation of falling precipitation tends to cause... an increase in dew point as water vapor molecules are removed from the air an increase in dew point as water vapor molecules are added to the air a decrease in dew point as water vapor molecules are removed from the air a decrease in dew point as water vapor molecules are added to the air
an increase in dew point as water vapor molecules are added to the air
Warm fronts and stationary fronts are both __________. katafronts low fronts anafronts occluded fron
anafronts
Monsoon depressions... are high-pressure systems that cause dry weather during the winter monsoon in India. typically bring light rain to India in the winter, and never cause flooding. only occur in the doldrums. are often responsible for a significant portion of the rain that falls during the summer monsoon season in parts of India.
are often responsible for a significant portion of the rain that falls during the summer monsoon season in parts of India.
During El Niño conditions, the trade winds _________________. are weaker than normal reverse direction are strong than normal become calm
are weaker than normal
When the jet stream is in a zonal pattern... areas of divergence aloft tend to be weak, which favors strong mid-latitude cyclones. areas of divergence aloft tend to be strong, which favors weak mid-latitude cyclones. areas of divergence aloft tend to be weak, which favors weak mid-latitude cyclones. areas of divergence aloft tend to be strong, which favors strong mid-latitude cyclones.
areas of divergence aloft tend to be weak, which favors weak mid-latitude cyclones.
In order to formally qualify as a blizzard, sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 miles per hour or more along with visibility of 1/4 mile or less must occur for... at least 10 consecutive hours. at least 3 consecutive hours. at least 1 hour. at least 10 minutes.
at least 3 consecutive hours.
If a bit of matter is considered hygroscopic, then it... is in the shape of an ice crystal. is too small to be seen with the naked eye. attracts water vapor. does not dissolve readily. repels water vapor.
attracts water vapor.
The Enhanced Fujita Scale ranking of a tornado's wind speed is... based on a visual assessment of the damage. is based on actual measurements of wind speed in a tornado. based mainly on storm chaser opinions. based only on Doppler radar data.
based on a visual assessment of the damage.
The ozone layer in the stratosphere... warms the troposphere. harms human health. increases the amount of incoming UV-B radiation from the sun. blocks harmful UV-B radiation from the sun.
blocks harmful UV-B radiation from the sun.
In the mature stage of a single-cell thunderstorm, ________. both updrafts and downdrafts are present both rain and hail must be present the entire cloud is a downdraft the entire cloud is an updraft
both updrafts and downdrafts are present
When an object is submerged in a fluid, the upward force on the object equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object is the ______________. fluid force density force buoyancy force counter-gravity force
buoyancy force
Which of the following typically does NOT occur with the passage of a cold front? cold advection behind the front. a minimum in sea-level pressure as the front passes. calm winds near and behind the front. clouds, showers, and possibly thunderstorms. decreasing dew points after the front passes.
calm winds near and behind the front.
Which of the following is not a possible fate of emitted electromagnetic radiation? transmission circulation scattering absorption
circulation
Which of the following is a high-altitude "streak" cloud composed of ice crystals? altocumulus cumulonimbus stratus fog cirrus
cirrus
A front is considered a warm front if ____________ along the frontal boundary. cold air is retreating both warm and cold air are advancing warm air is retreating colder air is moving into warm air
cold air is retreating
When water makes a transition from the vapor phase to the liquid phase, this is called ____________. evaporation percolation transpiration sublimation condensation
condensation
The transfer of energy between two objects that are physically touching is called ___________. conduction radiation advection mixing convection
conduction
During El Niño, the warmer-than-normal surface waters near the Pacific coast of South America... contain more nutrients, allowing sea life to flourish. leads to lower anchovy prices worldwide, as the anchovy population flourishes. have no impact on the food chain in the region. contain less nutrients to support sea life.
contain less nutrients to support sea life.
During El Niño, the warmer-than-normal surface waters near the Pacific coast of South America... have no impact on the food chain in the region. contain less nutrients to support sea life. contain more nutrients, allowing sea life to flourish. leads to lower anchovy prices worldwide, as the anchovy population flourishes.
contain less nutrients to support sea life.
Globally, thunderstorms tend to be most frequent over ____________ in areas where strong solar heating favors positively buoyant air parcels and convection. continents Antarctica polar latitudes cold areas of the oceans
continents
Free ____________ results from positively buoyant air parcels rising from the earth's surface. radiation convection transmission conduction
convection
Turbulent eddies that form when the wind blows over a rough surface are an example of _________. convection radiation advection conduction transpiratio
convection
A surface trough is typically a region of... convergence and rising air. divergence and sinking air. calm wind and sinking air. high pressure and rising air.
convergence and rising air.
"Dry" air parcels, in which liquid water droplets are not forming... warm more slowly on ascent than parcels in which net condensation is occurring. warm more quickly on ascent than parcels in which net condensation is occurring. cool more slowly on ascent than parcels in which net condensation is occurring. cool more quickly on ascent than parcels in which net condensation is occurring
cool more quickly on ascent than parcels in which net condensation is occurring
When accounting for the pressure-gradient force, Coriolis force, and friction in the Northern Hemisphere, air parcels flow... counterclockwise around low pressure, exactly parallel to local isobars. counterclockwise around low pressure, crossing isobars in toward lower pressure. clockwise around low pressure, exactly parallel to local isobars. clockwise around low pressure, crossing isobars toward higher pressure.
counterclockwise around low pressure, crossing isobars in toward lower pressure.
Which of the following is a tall, "heap" cloud, which produces precipitation? cumulonimbus fog stratus altostratus cirrocumulus
cumulonimbus
The life-cycle of a typical single-cell thunderstorm contains which of the following three stages (in proper order)? cumulus stage, rain stage, drizzle stage cumulus stage, mature stage, dissipating stage rain stage, cumulus stage, dissipating stage growth stage, mature stage, occluded stage lightning stage, hail stage, rain stage
cumulus stage, mature stage, dissipating stage
Bow echoes on radar imagery are frequently associated with... damaging straight-line winds. large hail. flash flooding. dust devils.
damaging straight-line winds.
Net evaporation causes temperatures to... decrease increase slowly, then decrease rapidly remain the same increase increase rapidly, then decrease slowly
decrease
Deforestation leads to increased albedo, which... causes local warming. decreases the absorption of solar radiation. increases the absorption of solar radiation. increases showers and thunderstorms.
decreases the absorption of solar radiation.
A ____________ is a widespread, convectively-induced straight-line wind storm composed of numerous downbursts produced by a group of thunderstorms. landspout microburst macroburst derecho
derecho
A long-lived group of thunderstorms that causes a concentrated area wind-damage reports at least 400 kilometers (250 miles) long is called a... multicell thunderstorm. derecho. You Answered swarm of supercells. bow echo.
derecho.
In the belt of subtropical high-pressure systems, the dominant vertical motion is... zero. downward. upward. downward in summer, but upward in winter.
downward
The stream of air that sinks from high altitudes around the western periphery of a mature Northern Hemisphere mid-latitude cyclone and wraps counter-clockwise around it is called the _____________. cold conveyor belt dry conveyor belt moist conveyor belt warm conveyor belt
dry conveyor belt
India's winter monsoon is characterized by... moist, onshore winds and heavy rainfall. the hottest weather of the year in December. regular, flooding rains. dry, offshore winds and mainly dry weather.
dry, offshore winds and mainly dry weather.
Small, short-lived whirls that spin up on hot sunny days over a dry landscape are typically called ____________. dust devils Tasmanian devils fair-weather waterspouts tornadic waterspouts funnels of fire
dust devils
Statistically, the most active time in the north Atlantic Basin is ______________, when ocean temperatures typically peak. late July early June late October early- to mid-September
early- to mid-September
As the world has warmed, _______________ overall. the increase in hot weather has become most evident during the daytime episodes of extremely hot weather have decreased, while episodes of extremely cold weather have increased episodes of extremely hot weather have increased, while episodes of extremely cold weather have decreased episodes of extremely cold weather have ceased
episodes of extremely hot weather have increased, while episodes of extremely cold weather have decreased
When the condensation rate equals the evaporation rate, a state called ____________ exists. dew point evaporational cooling equilibrium instability relative humidity
equilibrium
Why do temperatures often decrease just before and after rain arrives at your location? transpirational cooling evaporation of falling rain drops condensation of precipitation the liquid rain drops are cold
evaporation of falling rain drops
All else being equal, precipitation falling through the air usually causes cooling because... evaporation releases energy into the surrounding air evaporation requires energy, which comes from the surrounding air precipitation increases the amount of radiation emitted by the earth's surface rain drops are cold
evaporation requires energy, which comes from the surrounding air
Within the context of the hydrological cycle, water enters the atmosphere through ________ and ________. transpiration, condensation freezing, evaporation evaporation, transpiration condensation, evaporation
evaporation, transpiration
The ____________ is a roughly circular, fair weather zone at the center of a hurricane. vortex eye wall spiral band eye
eye
The ____________ of a hurricane typically contains the strongest winds. outer spiral bands eye wall areas in between spiral bands eye
eye wall
Which of the following would result in the strongest Coriolis force? slow moving air near the equator fast moving air at high latitudes a small pressure gradient slow moving air at high latitudes calm winds at any latitude
fast moving air at high latitudes
Fast, convective updrafts are required for the development of a thunderstorm because... they cause heavy rain. fast updrafts cause collisions between ice particles that separate electric charges in the cloud and generate lightning. the sound of the air rising so quickly creates thunder. the sound of the air rising so quickly (thunder) creates lightning.
fast updrafts cause collisions between ice particles that separate electric charges in the cloud and generate lightning.
In order for a tropical cyclone to form, a tropical disturbance with ___________________ is required. low-level divergence and low relative humidity favorable low-level spin and convergence a large temperature gradient a well-formed eye
favorable low-level spin and convergence
If you are in a car and find yourself in a tornado's path you should... take shelter under an highway overpass. point your car into the wind of the tornado which make it more aerodynamic first, determine if you can drive out of the tornado's path. Otherwise get out of the car and seek shelter in a building (if possible) or outdoor low spot. nothing, cars are designed to withstand high winds. roll down your windows so they do not explode.
first, determine if you can drive out of the tornado's path. Otherwise get out of the car and seek shelter in a building (if possible) or outdoor low spot.
A cloud that forms at (or very near) the ground is called... a cirrus cloud an ozone cloud a chemical cloud fog a convective cloud
fog
The _____________ is the region of a supercell where most of the heavy precipitation falls. tornado mesocyclone rear-flank downdraft forward-flank downdraft
forward-flank downdraft
Unbalanced additions to atmospheric carbon dioxide come from... deforestation and weathering of rocks. fossil fuel use and deforestation. volcanic eruptions and weathering of rocks. fossil fuel use and plant photosynthesis.
fossil fuel use and deforestation.
Unbalanced additions to atmospheric carbon dioxide come from... fossil fuel use and plant photosynthesis. volcanic eruptions and weathering of rocks. deforestation and weathering of rocks. fossil fuel use and deforestation.
fossil fuel use and deforestation.
Which type of precipitation results when a "warm-air sandwich" exists and the layer of cold air near the ground (less than 0 degrees Celsius) is not thick enough to re-freeze falling raindrops before they hit the ground? freezing rain snow sleet hail
freezing rain
Which of the following has the highest albedo (for visible light)? the ocean asphalt freshly fallen snow a forest
freshly fallen snow
The force that acts to slow the wind near Earth's surface is __________. the pressure-gradient force the hydrostatic force the Coriolis force the compression force friction
friction
A consequence of the fact that high-pressure systems mark the centers of air masses is that... fronts lie in troughs of low pressure. high-pressure systems always have several fronts extending from their centers. fronts lie in ridges of high pressure. fronts lie in regions of sinking air.
fronts lie in troughs of low pressure.
A rapidly rotating column of air descending from a cloud that's not in contact with the ground often appears as a ______________. nimbostratus cloud contrail shelf cloud funnel cloud
funnel cloud
The global distribution of "preferred winds" (averaged over long periods of time) at a variety of altitudes constitutes Earth's __________________. trade wind circulation subtropical jet stream mid-latitude jet stream general circulation
general circulation
When the pressure-gradient force and the Coriolis force are exactly balanced, the wind is ____________. calm. geostrophic. hydrostatic. accelerating rapidly.
geostrophic
If a tropical cyclone is particularly damaging or deadly, its name... remains in the regular six-year rotation. gets used twice as often on future naming lists. gets retired, never to be used again. gets used again immediately the following season.
gets retired, never to be used again.
Surplus energy in the tropics... causes middle and high latitudes to get cooler each year. causes the tropics to get cooler and cooler each year. completely stays in the tropics, causing them to get much warmer each year. gets transferred poleward by the oceans and atmosphere.
gets transferred poleward by the oceans and atmosphere.
Vertical motions in the atmosphere are typically weak because parcels of air are usually in hydrostatic equilibrium: the large vertical pressure gradient force is balanced by ________. gravity the Coriolis force friction the wind
gravity
The forecast cone of uncertainty from the National Hurricane Center gets wider with time to reflect... absolute certainty about the storm's location 5 days into the future. greater uncertainty in the future path of the storm at longer forecast lead times. the fact that the tropical cyclone will get much larger. the fact that the tropical cyclone will move faster.
greater uncertainty in the future path of the storm at longer forecast lead times.
In addition to destroying stratospheric ozone, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are also... natural sources of atmospheric cooling. easily dissolved in water. highly reactive in the troposphere. greenhouse gases.
greenhouse gases.
The leading edge of cold air produced by a thunderstorm downdraft is called a ________. dry line downburst gust front squall line
gust front
Small, transient whirlwinds that sometimes spin up along gust fronts, occasionally causing damage, are called _____________. gust devils dust devils gustnadoes mesocyclones
gustnadoes
The North American monsoon... has the most dramatic seasonal wind shift on Earth, but causes no rain. only happens during La Niña has a much less prominent wind shift than the Indian and Southeast Asian monsoon. causes heavy rain year round.
has a much less prominent wind shift than the Indian and Southeast Asian monsoon.
On visible satellite imagery, thicker clouds tend to ___________ than thinner clouds. have a smaller number of raindrops have higher cloud-top temperatures have higher albedos and appear brighter have lower albedos and appear darker have higher albedos and appear darker
have higher albedos and appear brighter
On visible satellite imagery, thinner clouds tend to ___________ than thicker clouds. have lower albedos and appear brighter have higher albedos and appear brighter have lower albedos and appear darker have lower cloud-top temperatures have a larger number of raindrops
have lower albedos and appear darker
When the ground absorbs more energy than it emits, the ground __________. cools down changes its albedo heats up is in equlibrium
heats up
Tropical cyclones tend to form and flourish in regions where there's ________________, because such environments limit dry entrainment, which can stifle thunderstorm development. strong vertical wind shear high relative humidity in the middle troposphere low relative humidity in the middle troposphere low sea-surface temperatures
high relative humidity in the middle troposphere
The dew point is a measure of ________. evaporation rates the relative humidity how hot it is how windy it is how much water vapor is in the air
how much water vapor is in the air
Anthropogenic contributions to climate change are those that are... natural. related to Earth's orbit. human caused. related to the sun.
human caused.
Complete this statement: The Saffir-Simpson scale is a means for categorizing... the total area affected by a tropical cyclone hurricane intensity based on maximum sustained wind speed. both hurricane and tornado damage. flooding potential in the tropics.
hurricane intensity based on maximum sustained wind speed.
During El Niño conditions, the reversal of the Walker Circulation results in increased convection _______________. near the cores of subtropical highs. in the central and eastern Pacific. in the western Pacific. far away from the equator.
in the central and eastern Pacific.
As air rises, it cools. As a result, the relative humidity of rising air should _______ during its ascent (assuming no change in the amount of water vapor present). increase not enough information is given to make a determination decrease remain the same
increase
If the pressure gradient is increased, the wind speed would likely ________. connot be determined increase remain the same decrease
increase
The proper ordering of electromagnetic radiation from the shortest wavelength to the longest wavelength is ________. radio waves, microwaves, infrared radio waves, infrared, microwaves infrared, microwaves, radio waves microwaves, radio waves, infrared microwaves, infrared, radio waves
infrared, microwaves, radio waves
If a tornado strikes, the safest place other than a basement is in a(n) ________. mobile home or trailer garage automobile attic interior room on the lowest level of the building
interior room on the lowest level of the building
The statement "warm air holds more water than cold air"... is false because cold air holds more water vapor than warm air. is false because water vapor molecules actually bond with oxygen molecules in the atmosphere. is false because there's always more room to hold more water vapor molecules in the air, regardless of temperature is true, because air acts like a sponge. is true because it accurately describes what is occurring in nature.
is false because there's always more room to hold more water vapor molecules in the air, regardless of temperature
A(n) __________ is a contour connecting points of equal value. isopleth normal line gradient station model
isopleth
If you hear a weathercaster mention that stratus clouds will be present tomorrow, what can you conclude about the stability of the layer of air where clouds will form? it will be wildly unstable. it will be stable. it will be a little unstable. it will be stable, but air parcels will be positvely buoyant.
it will be wildly unstable.
A mid-latitude cyclone's demise occurs as... the stationary front turns into a cold front. its central air columns are gradually overwhelmed by convergence. its central air columns are gradually overwhelmed by divergence. warm advection begins north of the warm front.
its central air columns are gradually overwhelmed by convergence.
The sun contributes to natural climate change because... its energy output increases every year. its energy output varies slightly in cycles. the sun is slowly drifting farther away from Earth. its energy output decreases every year.
its energy output varies slightly in cycles.
The rate at which temperature decreases with height in the atmosphere is called the ________. cooling rate mixing rate ascent rate lapse rate condensation rate
lapse rate
A mid-latitude cyclone is born when a source of upper-level divergence moves over a ___________ and reduces sea-level pressure. large surface temperature gradient (a stationary front) a small surface temperature gradient the center of an air mass the center of a high-pressure system
large surface temperature gradient (a stationary front)
All areas of the globe are not warming equally in part because of... global warming has stopped. local and regional land use changes. the first signs of global cooling are showing. carbon dioxide concentrations are decreasing dramatically in some parts of the world
local and regional land use changes.
On infrared satellite imagery, colder cloud tops are typically... located at lower altitudes located at higher altitudes indicative of thinner clouds indicative of thicker clouds
located at higher altitudes
Which of the following does NOT favor higher nighttime temperatures? low dew points cloudy skies warm air advection urbanization high dew points
low dew points
As a weakening low-pressure system (sea-level pressure increasing with time) begins to gain weight... low-level divergence exceeds upper-level convergence. divergence exists throughout the entire air column. low-level convergence exceeds upper-level divergence. low-level divergence and upper-level convergence are equal.
low-level convergence exceeds upper-level divergence.
A region of strengthening surface high pressure is characterized by ________. low-level divergence and greater upper-level convergence low-level convergence and upper-level convergence low-level divergence and upper-level divergence low-level convergence and greater upper-level divergence
low-level divergence and greater upper-level convergence
As sea levels have risen,... they've risen equally along all coastlines. low-lying coastal areas of some large cities are flooding less frequently. low-lying coastal areas of some large cities are flooding more frequently. ocean waters have become less acidic.
low-lying coastal areas of some large cities are flooding more frequently.
Lower temperatures and faster wind speeds result in... higher wind-chill values. blizzard conditions. lower (and potentially dangerous) wind-chill values. no chance of hypothermia.
lower (and potentially dangerous) wind-chill values.
Dew points above 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the eastern United States during the summer would be characteristic of which type of air mass? maritime Polar (mP) continental Arctic (cA) continental Tropical (cT) continental Polar (cP) maritime Tropical (mT)
maritime Tropical (mT)
What kind of air mass would be responsible for hot, humid summer weather in the eastern United States? maritime polar (mP) maritime tropical (mT) continental polar (cP) continental tropical (cT)
maritime tropical (mT)
Longitude lines run north-south, and are also known as ___________. latitude arcs latitude lines the equator meridians
meridians
A straight-line burst of wind with a diameter of less than 4 km is called a ___________. bow-echo derecho microburst gustnado
microburst
Modern weather radar works by emitting pulses of _______________ and measuring the return signal scattered back to the radar from various targets. radio waves microwave radiation gamma rays x-rays infrared radiation
microwave radiation
Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) storms in the Atlantic are often steered by... the polar jet stream. mid-tropospheric winds around the Bermuda High. the ITCZ the trade winds.
mid-tropospheric winds around the Bermuda High.
A contrail is an example of a(n) _______________. orographic cloud mixing cloud convergence cloud overrunning stratus cloud chemical spray cloud
mixing cloud
Sometimes in cool or cold weather, you can see "exhaust clouds" behind the tail pipes of running automobiles. These "exhaust clouds" are an example of... mixing clouds orographic clouds cirrus clouds overshooting tops
mixing clouds
An air mass is characterized by similar temperature and ________ properties in any horizontal direction at the surface (or any other arbitrary altitude). moisture cloud cover wind direction pressure wind speed
moisture
The basic recipe for making a cloud consists of which three ingredients? dry air, dirt, and cooling moisture, aerosols (condensation nuclei), and cooling moisture, dew point, and warming moisture, perfectly clean air, and warming moisture, dirt, and evaporation
moisture, aerosols (condensation nuclei), and cooling
Paved surfaces and drainage systems increase water runoff directly into streams and rivers, which can lead to... decreased shower and thunderstorm formation near cities. more rapid water rises and increased flooding of urban streams. increased absorption of of water by plants and soil. reduced urban flooding.
more rapid water rises and increased flooding of urban streams.
During January, the average position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is ______________. only in the Western Hemisphere mostly in the Northern Hemisphere, where it's winter exactly at the equator mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, where it's summer
mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, where it's summer
A group or family of thunderstorms in various stages of development is often called a _________. hot tower multicell thunderstorm supercell thunderstorm single-cell thunderstorm
multicell thunderstorm
All else being equal, on a clear, calm night, where would the highest temperatures most likely occur? in a remote farm field just outside the suburbs of a large city in a rural forest near the center of a large city
near the center of a large city
Although we need to breathe oxygen to live, the most abundant gas in our atmosphere is... argon methane carbon dioxide nitrogen water vapor
nitrogen
In a developing mid-latitude cyclone in the Northern Hemisphere, the strongest warm advection typically occurs... in the cold conveyor belt. north of the warm front. behind the cold front. south of the warm front (in the warm sector).
north of the warm front.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the trade winds generally blow from the ____________. north west southeast northeast
northeast
The cold conveyor belt of a Northern-Hemisphere wintertime mid-latitude low-pressure system ___________. draws moist air northward from the south. often contributes to heavy snow northwest of the low's center evaporates clouds, causing clear skies. creates overrunning north of the warm front
often contributes to heavy snow northwest of the low's center
Astronomical winter in the northern hemisphere begins... on or around June 22 when the local midday rays of the sun shine directly on the equator on or around December 22 when the local midday rays of the sun shine directly on the Tropic of Cancer on or around December 22 when the local midday rays of the sun shine directly on the Tropic of Capricorn on or around December 22 when the local midday rays of the sun shine directly on the equator on or around June 22 when the local midday rays of the sun shine directly on the Tropic of Capricorn
on or around December 22 when the local midday rays of the sun shine directly on the Tropic of Capricorn
Confidence tends to be lower in attributing smaller-scale and shorter-lived extreme weather events (such as tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and hurricanes) to global warming in part because... all of these events become more frequent with global cooling. only a relatively short period of quality observations exists. temperatures have no impact on these types of weather. all of these events become more intense with global cooling.
only a relatively short period of quality observations exists.
The vertical pressure gradient force in the atmosphere is much larger than the magnitude of the horizontal pressure gradient force, yet vertical motions are normally much smaller than horizontal motions because of the... negligible Coriolis effect in vertical motion. equal and opposite reaction of the earth's surface to the downward directed vertical pressure gradient force. opposing and near-balancing force of gravity acting downward on air. fact that the pressure gradient force has nothing to do with the movement of air parcels.
opposing and near-balancing force of gravity acting downward on air.
The subtropical jet stream is strongest _________. over western Africa over the Indian Ocean over the Western Pacific over Central America
over the Western Pacific
The thickening deck of stratiform clouds often observed on the cold side of a warm front or stationary front is a result of... low-level convergence. overrunning. sinking air with a katafront. low-level divergence.
overrunning.
Which set of temperature data goes back thousands of years or longer? surface temperatures directly measured with thermometers paleoclimate temperature proxies satellite temperature records temperature records based on radar
paleoclimate temperature proxies
Which of the following is a mechanism that can contribute to strong downdrafts that lead to downbursts? horizontal wind shear precipitation loading positive buoyancy charge separation
precipitation loading
Which of the following is used to describe the process by which hail and rain drops are held aloft by a strong updraft? levitation precipitation loading precipitation entrainment uplift
precipitation loading
The station pressure at high-elevation cities is much lower than sea-level pressure because... pressure always decreases with increasing height in the atmosphere. low-pressure systems regularly bring stormy weather to high elevations. air at higher altitudes is heavier than air near sea level. a temperature inversion makes high-elevation stations warmer.
pressure always decreases with increasing height in the atmosphere.
The emission and transfer of energy through a medium via particles or waves is called ___________. conduction radiation advection conviction convection
radiation
Infrared satellite imagery relies on ___________. reflected visible light microwaves scattered back to the satellite radiation emitted by cloud tops and land surfaces radiation emitted by water vapor
radiation emitted by cloud tops and land surfaces
Visible satellite imagery relies on ___________. microwaves scattered back to the satellite radiation emitted by cloud tops reflected visible light radiation emitted by water vapor
reflected visible light
Normal Walker Circulation conditions dictate rising air over warmer waters in the western Pacific and sinking air over cooler waters in the eastern Pacific. During El Niño, however, this circulation ______________. favors sinking air across the entire Pacific Ocean favors rising air across the entire Pacific Ocean gets stronger reverses
reverses
When the Storm Prediction Center identifies a region of the country with favorable conditions for an organized outbreak of severe thunderstorms over the next several hours, they will issue a ___________________. severe thunderstorm watch or tornado watch a thunderstorm advisory. a storm alert. a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning.
severe thunderstorm watch or tornado watch
Which precipitation type consists of ice pellets (re-frozen raindrops) that typically bounce on contact with the ground? sleet a rain bomb snow freezing rain
sleet
Temperature and moisture gradients within a single air mass are ________. large, relative to those gradients between two contrasting air masses warm nonexistent small, relative to those gradients between two contrasting air masses
small, relative to those gradients between two contrasting air masses
All else being equal, clouds make for... larger diurnal temperature ranges because they make the daytime cooler and keep the nighttime warmer compared to clear-sky conditions. smaller diurnal temperature ranges because they make the daytime cooler and keep the nighttime warmer compared to clear-sky conditions. smaller diurnal temperature ranges because they make the daytime warmer and keep the nighttime cooler compared to clear-sky conditions. larger diurnal temperature ranges because they make the daytime warmer and keep the nighttime cooler compared to clear-sky conditions.
smaller diurnal temperature ranges because they make the daytime cooler and keep the nighttime warmer compared to clear-sky conditions.
Which of the following types of terrain would cause the smallest reduction in wind speed because of friction? flat plains rolling hills smooth ocean water rugged mountains
smooth ocean water
In the Southern Hemisphere, the trade winds generally blow from the ____________. west southeast south northeast
southeast
In the text you learned that "clouds act like blankets" is a bad analogy. Instead, clouds act more like... refrigerators greenhouses mirrors space heaters fans
space heaters
In the text you learned that "clouds act like blankets" is a bad analogy. Instead, clouds act more like... space heaters mirrors greenhouses fans refrigerators
space heaters
A front depicted as alternating blue triangles and red semicircles on a weather map is called a(n) ________. warm front stationary front cold front occluded front
stationary front
Which of the following is NOT a common application of meteorology? assisting emergency managers and disaster planners studying meteors weather forecasting earth science education
studying meteors
Thunderstorms that produce nearly all of the strongest tornadoes and largest hail are __________. squall line thunderstorms multicell thunderstorms single-cell thunderstorms supercell thunderstorms
supercell thunderstorms
Infrared imagery can help determine cloud-top heights when combined with the assumption that... temperature decreases with increasing height. albedo decreases with increasing height. albedo increases with increasing height. temperature increases with increasing height. higher cloud tops have a higher reflectivity.
temperature decreases with increasing height.
Over the course of a century or more, atmospheric warming or cooling from ocean cycles... occurs at an increasing rate. tends to be minimal, because shorter-term warming and cooling cancel each other out. tends to be dramatic. adds significant energy to the Earth-atmosphere system.
tends to be minimal, because shorter-term warming and cooling cancel each other out.
Temperature changes caused by changes in Earth's orbital characteristics are noticeable over periods of... tens of thousands of years. about 50 years. just a few years.
tens of thousands of years.
The lifting condensation level is... located at the top of a cloud the altitude where rising air cools to the point of net condensation the altitude at which foggy air begins to dissipate the altitude at which relative humidity drops to zero
the altitude where rising air cools to the point of net condensation
Infrared satellite images are useful for judging the temperatures of cloud tops (or the earth's surface) based on the principle that... an object's temperature determines how much visible light it reflects. the amount of radiation emitted by an object is related to its temperature. an object's thickness determines its infrared emission. thicker clouds have lower albedos than thinner clouds.
the amount of radiation emitted by an object is related to its temperature.
Radar reflectivity measures... the amount of visible light reflected back toward the radar. the amount of signal returned to the radar from the original transmitted pulse of infrared radiation. the amount of signal returned to the radar from the original transmitted pulse of microwaves. the amount of infrared radiation emitted by rain drops.
the amount of signal returned to the radar from the original transmitted pulse of microwaves.
Convergence in the upper branches of the Hadley Cells near 30-degrees latitude results in the formation of... the belt of subtropical highs. hot towers. the Gulf Stream. El Niño.
the belt of subtropical highs.
Natural processes that result in a continuous exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, and terrestrial surface are described by... the greenhouse effect. the hydrologic cycle. the carbon cycle. global warming.
the carbon cycle.
A gradient is... an area of minimum value (lowest temperature, pressure, etc.) an area of maximum value (highest temperature, pressure, etc.) a contour connecting equal values the change in a variable over a certain distance
the change in a variable over a certain distance
Which of the conveyor belts associated with a mature winter mid-latitude cyclone in the Northern Hemisphere is often responsible for heavy snow northwest of the low's center? the cold conveyor belt the warm conveyor belt the moist conveyor belt the dry conveyor belt
the cold conveyor belt
High dew points always mean that ________. the concentration of water vapor is high the evaporation rate is high the temperature is low relative humidity is low air pressure is high
the concentration of water vapor is high
The formation of the Subtropical Jet Stream is mainly because of... strong thunderstorms at the edge of the subtropical high pressure regions the conservation of angular momentum strong temperature gradients near the equator. strong temperature gradients over the tropical oceans
the conservation of angular momentum
Weather systems tend to move from west-to-east across the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere because of... the orbit of the earth around the sun. the general west-to-east wind flow associated with the jet stream. surface winds that blow from west-to-east. the balance between friction and the pressure-gradient force.
the general west-to-east wind flow associated with the jet stream.
A relatively narrow channel of fast winds that blows generally from west to east in the upper troposphere over the middle latitudes is called... a jet streak the jet engine a jet trough the jet stream
the jet stream
Deforestation tends to decrease the absorption of solar radiation by Earth's surface because it causes... the local albedo to decrease. the local albedo to increase. concentrations of atmospheric water vapor to increase. more water to be retained locally.
the local albedo to increase.
Sea levels are rising largely because of... the gradual cooling of the oceans. the melting of the ice sheets and thermal expansion of water (warmer water expands slightly). people throwing rocks into the oceans. the melting of sea ice.
the melting of the ice sheets and thermal expansion of water (warmer water expands slightly).
When an object is submerged in a fluid, it is said to be negatively buoyant if ____________________. the object floats or rises the object has equal density to its surroundings the object is less dense than its surroundings the object is more dense than its surroundings
the object is more dense than its surroundings
According to the Stefan-Boltzmann Law, the amount of energy emitted by an object (per unit area) is proportional to ________. the object's temperature squared the object's peak emission wavelength nothing; (that is, the energy emitted is always a constant) the object's temperature divided by its peak emission wavelength the object's temperature raised to the fourth power
the object's temperature raised to the fourth power
The largest reservoir of carbon is... the atmosphere. the oceans. recoverable reserves of fossil fuels. the terrestrial surface (plants and soil).
the oceans.
Water vapor imagery usually cannot detect... emissions from water vapor in the upper troposphere. emissions from water vapor where no clouds are present. emissions from high ice clouds. the presence of low clouds or water vapor near the earth's surface.
the presence of low clouds or water vapor near the earth's surface.
Well-defined wet and dry seasons at some tropical locations are related to... the seasonal migration of showers and thunderstorms in the ITCZ. persistent sinking air in the ITCZ. the strengthening of the subtropical jet stream in summer. cold fronts arriving from the mid-latitudes.
the seasonal migration of showers and thunderstorms in the ITCZ.
Compared to "dry" air parcels, "moist" air parcels (parcels in which net condensation is occurring) have a better chance of remaining positively buoyant as they rise because... the slower cooling rate of moist parcels makes it more likely they'll remain warmer (less dense) than their surroundings. the faster cooling rate of moist parcels makes it more likely they'll remain cooler (more dense) than their surroundings. the faster cooling rate of moist parcels makes it more likely they'll remain warmer (less dense) than their surroundings. the slower cooling rate of moist parcels makes it more likely they'll remain cooler (more dense) than their surroundings.
the slower cooling rate of moist parcels makes it more likely they'll remain warmer (less dense) than their surroundings.
During El Niño conditions, which of the following tend(s) to be stronger? high pressure over the eastern Pacific sinking air over the eastern Pacific the subtropical jet stream the trade winds
the subtropical jet stream
Which of the following best describes northern hemisphere summer? the sun strikes the northern hemisphere at a higher angle and has reduced heating power the sun strikes the northern hemisphere at a lower angle and has reduced heating power the sun strikes the northern hemisphere at a lower angle and has greater heating power the sun strikes the northern hemisphere at a higher angle and has greater heating power
the sun strikes the northern hemisphere at a higher angle and has greater heating power
A bank thermometer reads 120 degrees Fahrenheit on a sunny summer day in Philadelphia (where the official all-time record high temperature is 106 degrees Fahrenheit). Which effect may be contributing to this unreasonably high reading? the thermometer is actually a thermistor, which can't accurately measure temperature the thermometer is located too far above the ground the thermometer may be exposed to direct sunlight the thermometer is located in a cotton-region shelter
the thermometer may be exposed to direct sunlight
What separates the troposphere from the stratosphere? the stratopause the tropotop the ozone layer the tropopause the boundary layer
the tropopause
Atmospheric pressure at the surface of the earth is approximately... the weight of water vapor molecules in a column that extends from a fixed area on the ground to an altitude of 1,000 feet. the weight of the air in a column that extends from a fixed area on the ground to an altitude of 1,000 feet. the weight of the air in a column that extends from a fixed area on the ground to the top of the atmosphere. the weight of water vapor molecules in a column that extends from a fixed area on the ground to the top of the atmosphere. the same as the average temperature of the air molecules in a c
the weight of the air in a column that extends from a fixed area on the ground to the top of the atmosphere.
Tropical cyclones receive a name when... they attain tropical-storm intensity. they become hurricanes. they become major hurricanes. they result in at least one fatality.
they attain tropical-storm intensity.
When a beam of radiation passes through a medium unchanged, this is called __________. scattering circulation emission absorption transmission
transmission
A dual polarized radar... transmits (and eventually detects) pulses of microwave energy in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. consists of two completely separate radar locations for better areal coverage. can detect two types of precipitation. can determine two wind directions (toward and away from the radar).
transmits (and eventually detects) pulses of microwave energy in both horizontal and vertical dimensions.
In the Atlantic Ocean... tropical cyclone activity typically peaks in May. tropical cyclones are much more common north of the equator. ocean waters are never warm enough for tropical cyclones to form. tropical cyclones are much more common south of the equator.
tropical cyclones are much more common north of the equator.
Fronts are typically found in ________. highs troughs ridges the center of air masses
troughs
The proper ordering of electromagnetic radiation from the shortest wavelength to the longest wavelength is ________. infrared, visible, ultraviolet ultraviolet, infrared, visible visible, ultraviolet, infrared ultraviolet, visible, infrared infrared, ultraviolet, visible
ultraviolet, visible, infrared
The relatively high frequency of thunderstorms over the central Rocky Mountains in the U.S. ultimately results from... a lack of warm, moist air. frequent clashes between warm and cold air masses. uneven heating between mountain tops and the surrounding "free atmosphere". sea-breeze fronts. uneven heating between land and water.
uneven heating between mountain tops and the surrounding "free atmosphere".
If an air parcel is nudged upward from its initial position and is warmer (less dense) than its surroundings, the atmospheric layer is... unstable, and the parcel will accelerate upward because of positive buoyancy. stable, and the parcel will accelerate upward because of positive buoyancy. unstable, and the parcel will sink back to its initial position because of positive buoyancy. stable, and the parcel will sink back to its initial position because of negative buoyancy.
unstable, and the parcel will accelerate upward because of positive buoyancy.
The part of the thunderstorm that is made up of positively buoyant parcels is called the _______________. anvil downdraft gust front updraft
updraft
The updraft of a supercell spins because ______________ in the lower troposphere imparts spin on streams of air, which get tilted vertically as they are ingested into the updraft. a gust front vertical wind shear a wall cloud a shelf cloud
vertical wind shear
One reason that snow squalls are so dangerous is that... they're accurately predicted days in advance, causing public complacency. visibility can quickly drop to near zero (whiteout conditions) with heavy snow and gusty winds. the outflow boundary from snow squalls often initiates even heavier snow squalls. they last such a long time, often leading to feet of snow.
visibility can quickly drop to near zero (whiteout conditions) with heavy snow and gusty winds.
When the wind is blowing from a region of higher temperatures toward a region of lower temperatures, this is an example of _______________. cold air advection warm air transport warm air advection warm air convection warm air lifting
warm air advection
In the circulation associated with a mid-latitude cyclone in the Northern Hemisphere, warm, moist air traveling northward in the warm sector and ascending north of the warm front is part of the __________. jet stream warm conveyor belt dry conveyor belt cold conveyor belt
warm conveyor belt
During a typical El Niño event, one would expect to find that the equatorial Pacific waters near South America to be _______________. warmer than normal about average in temperature prone to suppressing thunderstorms colder than normal
warmer than normal
Which of the following is the most abundant greenhouse gas? water vapor carbon dioxide methane sulfur dioxide nitrogen
water vapor
Which type of satellite imagery is most useful for tracing air motions in the middle and upper troposphere? visible enhanced infrared infrared water vapor
water vapor
Which variable gas has the highest concentration, on average, in the atmosphere? carbon dioxide water vapor nitrous oxide methane sulfur dioxide
water vapor
Which of the following is NOT an anthropogenic source of greenhouse gases? decomposition of carbon-based garbage in landfills. agricultural processes that add nitrogen to soils. the burning of fossil fuels. weathering of rocks.
weathering of rocks.
Worldwide, tropical cyclones tend to form in ocean basins during times of the year when... temperature gradients in the tropics become very large. vertical wind shear becomes very strong. wide expanses of ocean water are sufficiently warm. the Coriolis Force weakens.
wide expanses of ocean water are sufficiently warm.
The ______________ attempts to estimate the wind's cooling effect on exposed skin. wind-chill temperature dew point temperature cold index wind gust temperature
wind-chill temperature
Assume that particular location has a current temperature of -2 degrees Fahrenheit and is experiencing a temperature advection of -1.5 degrees Fahrenheit per hour. If no other factors affect the local temperature, what will the temperature be in two hours? -0.5 degrees Fahrenheit -3.5 degrees Fahrenheit cannot be determined with the information given -5 degrees Fahrenheit 1 degree Fahrenheit
-5 degrees Fahrenheit
You find yourself in Denver, Colorado (Mountain Time Zone), on a business trip in mid-July. One night you are awakened in your hotel room by a tremendous thunderstorm (lightning, wind, hail... the works!). You glance over at the clock on the nightstand which reads 2:00 (a.m.), right before the power goes out... The next morning (the power's back on), you log on to the Internet to a web site which has an archive of weather observations -- you want to check out the peak wind gust when the storm hit. The web site does in fact have all the observations from last night; however, they are all labeled with the times in UTC. If you were awakened at 2:00 a.m. on July 16, what is the time/date of the corresponding weather observation (in UTC) that you are searching for? 0800Z July 16 0200Z July 16 2000Z July 15 0600Z July 16 0600Z July 15
0800Z July 16
The sea-level pressure field on a station model contains the digits "046". If we assume that the station's sea-level pressure is within the typical range and that an intense hurricane isn't nearby, what is the station's sea-level pressure? 1004.6 mb 946 mb 1023 mb 904.6 mb 1046 mb
1004.6 mb
You see a weather map on social media showing surface temperatures in Utah (Links to an external site.) (Mountain Time Zone), but the map is labeled in Z-time instead of local time. You notice the map has a time and date of 21Z January 14. What was the local time in Utah when these temperatures were observed? 3 P.M. January 14 4 A.M. January 14 2 P.M. January 15 2 P.M. January 14 4 A.M. January 15
2 P.M. January 14
Forecasters typically look for sea-surface temperatures of at least _______________, in order for tropical cyclones to form, develop, and intensify. 33.5 degrees Celsius (92 degrees Fahrenheit) 26.5 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit) 18.5 degrees Celsius (65 degrees Fahrenheit) 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit)
26.5 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit)
On the Saffir-Simpson scale, hurricanes of categories ________ are considered major hurricanes. 4 and 5 only 1 and 2 1, 2, and 3 3, 4, and 5
3, 4, and 5
A thunderstorm is classified as "severe" by the National Weather Service if it produces wind gusts of at least _____________. 115 knots (132 miles per hour) 50 knots (58 miles per hour) 90 knots (104 miles per hour) 10 knots (12 miles per hour) 25 knots (29 miles per hour)
50 knots (58 miles per hour)
Which of the following best approximates the average environmental lapse rate in the troposphere? 6.5 degrees Celsius per kilometer -6.5 degrees Celsius per kilometer -10 degrees Celsius per kilometer 10 degrees Celsius per kilometer
6.5 degrees Celsius per kilometer
On average, about what percentage of tornadoes in the United States are "weak" (EF-0 or EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale)? 10 1 50 80
80
Which of the following phrases best describes a front? Associated with clear skies Associated with calm weather Boundary between two contrasting air masses Found at the center of an air mass
Boundary between two contrasting air masses