nsci 303 final-- ch 10,11,12,15

The current sea level air pressure represented on the station model shown above is: A) 1010.5 mb B) 910.5 mb C) 1020.0 mb D) 969.0 mb

A) 1010.5 mb

On which of these continents is the marine west coast climate most extensive? A) Europe B) Africa C) Australia D) South America E) North America

A) Europe

Which of the following is responsible for collecting and assimilating weather data from across the globe? A) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) B) National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) C) Storm Prediction Center (SPC) D) National Weather Service Forecast Office

A) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)

The acronym NOAA stands for: A) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. B) National Observatory for Atmospheric Assessment. C) Nightly Observation of Atmospheric Attributes. D) Numerical Observation Assessment Association.

A) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Why don't hurricanes develop on or near the Equator? A) The Coriolis effect is too weak to create rotation. B) The ITCZ inhibits the growth of the hurricane's thunderstorms. C) The water is too warm to allow for the storm's development. D) The question is false; hurricanes develop on the Equator all the time!

A) The Coriolis effect is too weak to create rotation.

Why do hurricanes initially form only in the tropics? A) Warm water temperatures are found there. B) Stronger pressure gradients are found there. C) Coriolis is weaker there. D) Subsiding air currents are found there.

A) Warm water temperatures are found there.

The forecasts for local and regional weather are produced by: A) Weather Forecast Offices. B) National Cyclone Center. C) State Weather Forecast Offices. D) National Centers

A) Weather Forecast Offices.

An easterly wave contributes to hurricane development by: A) creating surface convergence. B) feeding warm waves of water into the vicinity of the hurricane. C) steering disturbances over the Canaries current. D) causing disturbances from the Bahamas to move to the east, over warmer waters.

A) creating surface convergence.

The eye wall of a hurricane: A) has the greatest wind speeds. B) lies at the hurricane's outer edge. C) has the lightest precipitation. D) has the highest barometric pressure

A) has the greatest wind speeds.

The high temperatures and precipitation in a tropical rain forest create soils that are: A) heavily chemically weathered and leached of most nutrients. B) very fertile and rich in organic matter. C) capable of supporting years of agricultural demand without irrigation. D) highly variable in mineral content.

A) heavily chemically weathered and leached of most nutrients.

the principal cause of desertification is: A) inappropriate land use such as agricultural clearing and overgrazing. B) warming global temperatures due to the burning of fossil fuels. C) extended droughts in untouched rain forest climates. D) air pollution as rural areas become urbanized.

A) inappropriate land use such as agricultural clearing and overgrazing.

The most important determinant of temperature overall is: A) latitude. B) distribution of land and water. C) prevailing winds. D) position of mountains and highlands. E) ocean currents.

A) latitude.

The locations of the major pressure and wind systems on the earth: A) move as they follow the vertical rays of the Sun. B) are fixed by the poles and equator. C) are denoted by parallels of latitude. D) do not change with the seasons. E) are fixed by astronomy.

A) move as they follow the vertical rays of the Sun.

Which of the following can diminish the intensity of a hurricane? A) moving over land B) significant increase in large- scale air flow aloft C) moving over warmer water with more moisture above it D) frequent lightning

A) moving over land

Compared to the North Atlantic, hurricanes form in the South Atlantic: A) much less frequently. B) more frequently. C) with about the same frequency and intensity. D) with about the same frequency, but with much less intensity.

A) much less frequently.

Which of the following rely on the fact that gases of the atmosphere obey a number of known physical principles to predict the future state of the atmosphere? A) numerical weather prediction B) statistical methods C) trend forecasting D) persistence forecasting

A) numerical weather prediction

An ensemble forecast is produced by: A) running one model several times with slightly different initial conditions. B) combining the results from several different numerical models into one forecast. C) slightly altering the underlying assumptions of a numerical model each time it is run. D) collecting the professional opinions of a group of meteorologists.

A) running one model several times with slightly

The primary purpose of a radiosonde is: A) to acquire data about conditions in the upper atmosphere. B) to report data about surface conditions at an automated weather station. C) to compile data from thousands of automated weather stations into one file. D) to calculate numerical predictions of weather.

A) to acquire data about conditions in the upper atmosphere.

Which one of the following is most intense? A) tropical storm B) tropical depression C) tropical disturbance D) tropical water

A) tropical storm

When occurring in the Atlantic Ocean they are known as hurricanes. What are they known as when occurring in the western Pacific? A) typhoons B) tropical breezes C) tsunamis D) cyclones

A) typhoons

Multiple-vortex tornadoes help explain: A) why one building is destroyed and the one next to it is untouched. B) why tornadoes are so short lived. C) why some tornadoes never touch the ground. D) what EF rank a tornado should have.

A) why one building is destroyed and the one next to it is untouched.

The diameter of a typical tornado funnel cloud would be: A) 50-100 meters. B) 150-600 meters. C) 1000-2500 meters. D) 3000 meters.

B) 150-600 meters.

The winds at the ________ level are the steering mechanism for air mass thunderstorms. A) 850-mb B) 700-mb C) 500-mb D) 300-mb

B) 700-mb

Hurricanes develop most often in the late summer when ocean waters have reached what temperature? A) 50°F B) 80°F C) 60°F D) 70°F E) 100°F

B) 80°F

Which of the following is a characteristic of west coast subtropical deserts? A) Wintertime snowfall B) Cool temperatures with low clouds and fog C) Exceptionally sunny and cloud- free conditions D) Some of the highest temperatures recorded anywhere in the world

B) Cool temperatures with low clouds and fog

The dry-summer subtropical climate is also called the ________ climate. A) monsoon B) Mediterranean C) taiga D) savanna E) nice

B) Mediterranean

The tropical rain forest is characterized by: A) deciduous trees. B) a great diversity of plant species. C) wet winters and dry summers. D) the dominance of conifers. E) a complete lack of sunshine.

B) a great diversity of plant species.

Most places having an Aw climate experience: A) a winter maximum of precipitation. B) a summer maximum of precipitation. C) precipitation distributed evenly throughout the year. D) it is not possible to generalize about seasonal distribution of rainfall in Aw climates.

B) a summer maximum of precipitation.

A person who disseminates forecasts without being a trained meteorologist is known as: A) a broadcast meteorologist. B) a weathercaster. C) a forecast journalist. D) a weather analyst.

B) a weathercaster.

The Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle are examples of locations determined by: A) measuring systems. B) astronomy. C) the Koppen classification system. D) climate.

B) astronomy.

The humid subtropical climate: A) is, in winter, similar to the wet tropics. B) sees significant rainfall throughout the year. C) has relatively cool summers. D) is found along the California coast.

B) sees significant rainfall throughout the year.

Because air is a poor conductor of electricity, what must be true before lightning can strike? A) surfaces on the ground must become wet with rainfall. B) the electrical potential between the regions of opposite charges must be very high. C) the cloud must be less than 5 km (16,000 feet) tall. D) two mesocyclones must be in very close proximity to one another.

B) the electrical potential between the regions of opposite charges must be very high.

What general circulation wind belt is the place of origin for hurricanes? A) westerlies B) trade winds C) doldrums D) horse latitudes

B) trade winds

What determines when a tropical storm is given hurricane status? A) water temperature B) wind speed C) diameter D) central pressure

B) wind speed

Tornadoes are most frequent during the: A) month of September. B) January-March period. C) April-June period. D) October-December period. E) July-August period.

C) April-June period.

In the United States, the governmental agency responsible for gathering and disseminating weather-related information is the: A) American Meteorological Service. B) National Atmosphere Association. C) National Weather Service. D) American Weather Association.

C) National Weather Service.

Of the following states, which is struck by the largest number of tornadoes? A) North Carolina B) Ohio C) Oklahoma D) New Mexico E) North Dakota

C) Oklahoma

Your local weather forecast is most likely provided by the (a): A) National Severe Storm Forecast Center. B) National Meteorological Center. C) Weather Forecast Office. D) National Hurricane Center.

C) Weather Forecast Office.

Inside the eye of a hurricane: A) the skies are usually perfectly clear, with no clouds to be seen. B) the most intense thunderstorms of the hurricane are forming. C) air is sinking and warming by compression. D) the air temperature is colder than anywhere else in the storm.

C) air is sinking and warming by compression.

Why do surface wind speeds increase toward the center of a hurricane? A) reduced friction B) stronger Coriolis effect C) conservation of angular momentum D) warmer water

C) conservation of angular momentum

What are hurricanes known as in the Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea? A) tropical breezes B) typhoons C) cyclones D) tsunamis

C) cyclones

The outflow at the top of a hurricane prolongs the storm's lifespan because: A) it provides an outlet for excess moisture that might otherwise "rain out" the storm. B) it causes winds to converge at the top of the storm. C) it prevents surface convergence from "filling in" the low-pressure center of the storm. D) it helps to bring in cold air to strengthen the hurricane's eye.

C) it prevents surface convergence from "filling in" the low-pressure center of the storm.

Which pair of elements is the most important in a climatic description? A) wind and pressure B) cloud cover and humidity C) temperature and precipitation D) precipitation and pressure E) pressure and temperature

C) temperature and precipitation

Multicell thunderstorms occur when: A) super cells occur along a squall line. B) individual thunderstorms produce multiple vortex tornadoes. C) thunderstorms in various stages of development are clustered together. D) the mesocyclone divides into multiple suction vortices.

C) thunderstorms in various stages of development are clustered together.

What causes the winds of a hurricane to be so fast? A) coupling with the jet stream B) stronger Coriolis force C) very strong pressure gradient force D) tidal effects E) weaker Coriolis force

C) very strong pressure gradient force

The primary factor which determines whether a place will have a dry climate is: A) its elevation. B) how much evaporation occurs. C) whether evaporation exceeds precipitation. D) its distance to a large water body.

C) whether evaporation exceeds precipitation.

About how many thunderstorms take place on Earth every day? A) 300 B) 1300 C) 5000 D) 45,000

D) 45,000

A hurricane must have sustained wind speeds of at least: A) 64 miles per hour. B) 94 miles per hour. C) 84 miles per hour. D) 74 miles per hour.

D) 74 miles per hour.

The United States deadliest hurricane happened in 1900 in Galveston, Texas. Approximately how many deaths did the hurricane cause? A) 1000 B) 2000 C) 4000 D) 8000

D) 8000

Which "famous" 2005 hurricane was the costliest in United States history, according to the text? A) Hurricane Floyd B) Hurricane Hugo C) Hurricane Diane D) Hurricane Katrina

D) Hurricane Katrina

Which of the following statements best describes multiple-vortex tornadoes? A) A single tornado fades in and out of visibility, giving the illusion of multiple vortices. B) A single funnel cloud divides into two parts about half way to the ground, like the forked tongue of a snake. C) A single thunderstorm produces multiple tornadoes in different areas of the storm. D) Multiple suction vortices circulate around a single tornadic center.

D) Multiple suction vortices circulate around a single tornadic center.

What is the difference between a typhoon and a hurricane? A) A hurricane is a true tropical cyclone, but a typhoon is not. B) A hurricane is stronger than a typhoon. C) They represent different phases in the development of a tropical storm. D) They occur in different ocean basins.

D) They occur in different ocean basins.

What is the approximate diameter of a mature hurricane? A) 50-100 km B) 50 km or less C) about 1000 km D) about 600 km E) more than 1000 km

D) about 600 km

In general, climate boundaries: A) cannot be determined with adequate cloud cover data. B) are difficult to determine. C) do not shift from year to year. D) are broad transition zones and not sharp lines.

D) are broad transition zones and not sharp lines.

A prognostic chart: A) is used to pinpoint the current location of fronts. B) is used to explain the causes of thunderstorms as they are happening. C) evaluates past weather conditions to predict future ones. D) displays numerical forecasts for future conditions in precipitation, wind speed, and upper air flow.

D) displays numerical forecasts for future conditions in precipitation, wind speed, and upper air flow.

The eye of a hurricane: A) is a figment of man's imagination. B) has the most intense rainfall. C) is the portion with the highest wind speeds. D) is warmer than the rest of the storm.

D) is warmer than the rest of the storm.

Doppler radar measures: A) raindrop motion. B) raindrop size. C) raindrop and snowflake motion. D) rainfall intensity and motion within the storm. E) cloud droplet numbers.

D) rainfall intensity and motion within the storm.

Which of the following data are not plotted on a typical weather chart? A) dew-point temperature B) sky cover C) cloud height D) solar radiation E) temperature

D) solar radiation

Successful short term forecasts (a few hours) can often be made using this method of prediction. A) analog forecasting B) climatological forecasting C) upper-wave forecasting D) probability forecasting E) persistence forecasting

E) persistence forecasting

Mountain ranges play an important role in determining climates because of their influence upon: A) air density. B) air pressure. C) solar heating. D) land and water contrasts. E) rainfall distribution.

E) rainfall distribution.

Doppler radars: A) detect lightning strokes. B) have much greater range than conventional radars. C) detect condensation nuclei. D) show the motion of air in clear areas. E) show the motion of precipitation particles.

E) show the motion of precipitation particles.

About what percent of thunderstorms in the United States become severe? A) 10% B) 20% C) 25% D) 50%

a) 10%

Downdrafts totally dominate the ________ of an air mass thunderstorm. A) dissipating stage B) mature stage C) cumulus stage

a) dissipating stage

Which of the following U.S. states experiences the most thunderstorms each year? A) Florida B) Texas C) Colorado D) Oklahoma

a) florida

Ordinary, or air-mass, thunderstorms usually form in association with ________ air masses. A) mT B) mP C) cT D) cP

a) mT

________ is defined as a significant change in wind speed and/or wind direction with increasing height above the surface. A) Wind shear B) Convergent wind boundary C) Subsidence D) Convection

a) wind shear

The doughnut-shaped wall of intense convective activity surrounding the center of the storm is called the: A) eye. B) eye ring. C) eye wall. D) core.

c) eye wall

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

d) cold; stable

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

d) mature

A tornado is also sometimes known as a: A) Coriolis effect. B) anticyclone. C) jet stream. D) geostrophic wind. E) cyclone.

e) cyclone.

Thunderstorms occur year- round in the: A) middle latitudes. B) subtopics. C) polar regions. D) subarctic regions. E) tropics.

e) tropics