ESSC Test 3

Because of the tremendous pressure gradient associated with a strong tornado, maximum winds approach ________ miles per hour. a. 600 b. 100 c. 1000 d. 300

300

49. What category of the scale of hurricane intensity is the strongest? a. 10 b. 5 c. 3 d. 20 e. 1

5

A hurricane must have sustained wind speeds of at least: a. 74 miles per hour. b. 64 miles per hour. c. 94 miles per hour. d. 84 miles per hour.

74 miles per hour

44. The United States deadliest hurricane happened in 1900 in Galveston, Texas. Approximately how many deaths did the hurricane cause? a. 1000 b. 4000 c. 2000 d. 8000

8,000

Hurricanes develop most often in the late summer when ocean waters have reached what temperature? a. 50 degrees F b. 100 degrees F c. 60 degrees F d. 70 degrees F e. 80 degrees F

80 degress F

33.Why does occlusion lead to the demise of a mid-latitude cyclone? a. All warm air is displaced aloft, so the surface temperature gradient has been equalized. b. The cold front stops progressing during occlusion. c. Occlusion stops all precipitation from occurring within the cyclone. d. The cold cP air mass driving the cyclone has warmed intensely.

All warm air is displaced aloft, so the surface temperature gradient has been equalized

Why is the number and intensity of wave cyclones greatest during the late fall, winter and spring months? a. Density of the air is greatest. b. Temperature contrasts are greater. c. Temperatures are below freezing. d. Air is drier then. e. Meteorologists do not know.

Temperature contrasts are greater.

54. "Heat lightning": a. occurs more than 20 kilometers from the person observing it. b. is brighter than ordinary lightning. c. is actually a display of the northern lights. d. is also called "ball lightning."

a. occurs more than 20 kilometers from the person observing it

24. Hurricanes do not generally strike the West Coast of the United States because: a. the cold ocean current along the West Coast quickly kills any storms that move into the area. b. hurricanes in this area generally veer west and strike Mexico before making it to the United States. c. hurricanes don't form in the Pacific Ocean very often. d. strong winds in the area generally prevent tropical storms from maintaining hurricane strength.

a. the cold ocean current along the West Coast quickly kills any storms that move into the area

7. A warm front is said to exist when a. advancing warm air overrides retreating cold air. b. warm and cold air meet. c. invading cold air pushes underneath warmer air. d. moving cold air overrides warmer air. e. warm air pushes underneath cterm-7old air.

advancing warm air overrides retreating cold air

Why do most tornadoes in the central U.S. occur during the spring months? a. Solar energy is a maximum. b. Upper-air temperatures are warmest. c. Surface air is most humid. d. Divergence of air aloft is greatest. e. Air-mass contrasts are greatest.

air- mass contrasts are greatest

8. When an area is experiencing several consecutive days of rather constant weather, it is experiencing: a. air-mass weather. b. occluded front weather. c. warm-front weather. d. cold-front weather.

air-mass weather

5.Why do we have seasons on Earth? a. The tilt of Earth's axis constantly changes between 0 and 23 1/2°, giving us summer when Earth is tilted more and winter when it is straight up. b. Earth's distance from the Sun varies, so that it is summer when we are closer to the Sun and winter when we are farther from the Sun. c. Seasons are caused by the influence of the planet Jupiter on our orbit. d. As Earth goes around the Sun and Earth's axis remains pointed toward Polaris, the Northern and Southern hemispheres alternately receive more and less direct sunlight.

as the earth goes around the sun and earth's axis remians pointed toward polaris, the northern and southern hemispheres alternatley recieve more and less direct sunglight

34.Why are thunderstorms most likely to occur in the afternoon and early evening? a. Lower atmosphere is too unstable in the morning. b. Atmosphere is most unstable at that time. c. Water-vapor contents are too low at night. d. It takes all day for them to mature. e. Upper-level winds are too fast at night and in morning.

atmosphere is most unstable at the time

38.During which of the time spans listed below should hurricane formation in the North Atlantic be at a peak? a. April-May b. January-February c. November-December d. August-September

august- september

The two most important properties that should be relatively homogeneous at the same altitude in an air mass are a. relative humidity and radiation. b. moisture content and temperature. c. vapor pressure and latitude. d. temperature and carbon dioxide concentration

b. moisture content and temperature.

55. Tornadoes and midlatitude cyclones are similar in that: a. both are most common and well-developed in the winter season. b. both are areas of low pressure. c. both form in the trade-wind belt. d. both have conspicuous surface fronts.

both are areas of low pressure

Tornadoes and midlatitude cyclones are similar in that: a. both form in the trade-wind belt. b. both are most common and well-developed in the winter season. c. both have conspicuous surface fronts. d. both are areas of low pressure.

both are ares of low pressure

45. When a hurricane moves onto land, it declines in intensity. Which of the factors listed below contribute to this loss of punch? a. both friction and the lack of warm, moist air b. heating from below by the land surface c. friction d. lack of warm, moist air

both friction and the lack of warm, moist air

39. One problem with issuing a hurricane warning is: a. few people pay attention to warnings. b. it is difficult to issue warnings with enough lead time for people to evacuate. c. hurricane forecasts require large areas that will be unaffected to be included in the warning. d. no standardized system for issuing warnings exists on a federal level in the United States.

c. hurricane forecasts require large areas that will be unaffected to be included in the warning

18.The air masses that have the greatest influence on weather conditions in the Midwestern United States are: a. cT and cP. b. mT and cT. c. cP and mT. d. mP and cP. e. mP and mA.

cP

23.Which air mass type is generally found on the poleward side of a midlatitude cyclone? a. mP b. mA c. cP d. mT e. cT

cP

34."Lake-effect" snow is associated with the ________ air mass. a. mT b. mP c. cT d. cP

cP

5. The pronounced cooling that occurs on continents at high latitudes during winter leads to the formation of ________ air masses. a. mA b. cT c. cM d. mP e. cP

cP

52. Which type of lightning is least likely? a. within the same cloud b. cloud-to-Earth c. cloud-to-cloud

cloud-to- earth

3. The type of front shown on the diagram above is: a. an occluded front. b. a cold front. c. a stationary front. d. a warm front.

cold front

9. Tornadoes are generally associated with which type of front? a. cold front b. occluded front c. stationary front d. warm front

cold front

8. Why do surface wind speeds increase toward the center of a hurricane? a. reduced friction b. stronger Coriolis effect c. warmer water d. conservation of angular momentum

conservation of angluar momentum

32. Since detection and tracking of hurricanes is now quite accurate, why does damage from these storms continue to increase? a. poor forecasts of landfall area b. continued development of coastal areas c. hurricane intensity is greater d. changes in tidal patterns

continued development of coastal areas

30.The cloud type most frequently associated with a cold front is: a. cirrocumulus.b. altocumulus. c. cirrus. d. cumulonimbus. e. status.

cumulonimbus

40.This type of cloud brings thunderstorms. a. cumulonimbus b. cumulus c. nimbostratus d. altostratus e. stratocumulus

cumulonimbus

Thunderstorms can be associated with these weather activities: a. hurricanes. b. tornadoes. c. cyclones, hurricanes, and tornadoes. d. cyclones.

cyclones, hurricanes, and tornadoes

36. Compared to warm fronts, cold fronts have a. a shallower gradient and the same advance rate. b. the same gradient and the same advance rate. c. the same gradient and a faster advance rate. d. a steeper gradient and a faster advance rate. e. a shallower gradient and a slower advance rate.

d. a steeper gradient and a faster advance rate

24. The typical amount of time it takes for an air mass to pass over a given area is on the order of a few a. days. b. weeks. c. hours. d. minutes. e. months.

days

43.The very center of the storm is called the: a. core. b. eye. c. eye ring. d. eye wall.

eye

The doughnut-shaped wall of intense convective activity surrounding the center of the storm is called the: a. eye wall. b. eye ring. c. core. d. eye.

eye wall

2. Earth is always precisely 1 AU from the Sun. True False

false

37.The greatest number of deaths associated with thunderstorms result from: a. flash flooding. b. tornadoes. c. lightning. d. hail.

flash flooding

4. Which of the following is not a phase of the Moon? a. new Moon b. full Moon c. first-quarter Moon d. half Moon e. third-quarter Moon

half moon

35.Compared to continental air masses with the same air temperature, maritime air masses: a. have about the same water vapor content. b. have lower water vapor content. c. have higher water vapor content.

have higher water vapor content

Which "famous" hurricane was the costliest in United States history? a. Hurricane Diane b. Hurricane Hugo c. Hurricane Katrina d. Hurricane Floyd

hurricane katrina

15. An announcement aimed at specific coastal areas that a hurricane poses a possible threat generally within 36 hours is called a: a. hurricane warning. b. tornado warning. c. hurricane watch. d. tornado watch.

hurricane watch

25. Compared to other types of fronts, the weather associated with a cold front usually a. does not involve thunderstorms. b. is more violent but of shorter duration. c. involves less precipitation. d. is less violent but of longer duration. e. covers more area.

is more violnet but of shorter duration

42.The eye of a hurricane: a. has the most intense rainfall. b. is warmer than the rest of the storm. c. is a figment of man's imagination. d. is the portion with the highest wind speeds.

is warmer than the rest of the storm

1. What makes the North Star, Polaris, special? a. It is the brightest star in the sky. b. It appears very near the north celestial pole. c. It is the star directly on your northern horizon. d. It is the star straight overhead. e. It can be used to determine your longitude on Earth.

it appears very near the celestial pole

0. Why is strong heating of the ground by the Sun associated with thunderstorms? a. increases the pressure gradient b. reduces the relative humidity c. reduces the dew point d. increases the wind speed e. leads to greater instability

leads to greater instability

12. Which of these is common to both cold and warm fronts? a. divergence of surface winds b. light to calm winds c. lifting of warm air over cold d. steady barometer readings e. decreasing precipitation rates

lifting of warm air over cold

30.The terms leader, flash, and stroke are used when describing: a. squall line formation. b. the passage of a hurricane. c. a tornado. d. lightning. e. the stages of a thunderstorm.

lightening

48Which of the following is likely during the mature stage of a thunderstorm? a. light winds b. lightning c. no precipitation d. light precipitation

lightning

13. What air-mass contributes to the formation of thunderstorms in the central U.S.? a. cA b. mT c. mP d. stormy ones

mT

22. The air mass type most likely to form thunderstorms is a. mA. b. cT. c. mT. d. mP. e. cA.

mT

27.The ________ air mass provides much of the moisture for precipitation in the central and eastern United States. a. cT b. cP c. mT d. mP

mT

32.An air mass from the Gulf of Mexico is called: a. cT. b. cP. c. mP. d. mT.

mT

7. Which region of origin for mT air masses has the most impact on North American weather? a. mT air masses from the Gulf of Mexico b. mT air masses from Australia c. mT air masses from the Northern Pacific d. mT air masses from the subtropical Pacific.

mT air masses from the Gulf of mexico

29.A GPS dropwindsonde is used for: a. measuring wind speeds throughout every level of a hurricane. b. forecasting precipitation associated with the hurricane's eyewall. c. locating and measuring the diameter of the hurricane's eye at the surface. d. measuring wind directions in the outflow of a hurricane.

measuring winds speeds throughout every level of a hurrican

17. What is the single greatest advancement in tools used for observing tropical cyclones? a. radar b. meteorological satellites c. data buoys d. aircraft reconnaissance 1

meteorological staellites

28.Another common term for the wave cyclone is: Select one: a. midlatitude cyclone. b. tropical cyclone. c. intertropical convergence zone. d. polar-front cyclone.

mid latitude cyclone

At what time of day is an air-mass thunderstorm more likely to develop? a. pre-dawn b. midmorning c. midafternoon d. midnight

midafternoon

20.The stability of an air mass can be affected by a. cyclones. b. anticyclones. c. mountain ranges. d. mountain ranges, cyclones, and anticyclones.

mountain ranges, cyclones, and anticyclones

53.Compared to the North Atlantic, hurricanes form in the South Atlantic: a. much less frequently. b. more more frequently. c. with about the same frequency and intensity. d. with about the same frequency, but with much less intensity.

much less frequently

33. Tornadoes most often move toward what direction? a. southeast b. southwest c. west d. northwest e. northeast

northeast

21.Conventional radar measures a. raindrop motion. b. cloud droplet numbers. c. rainfall intensity. d. raindrop and snowflake motion. e. raindrop size.

rainfall intensity

4. An approaching wave cyclone would be indicated by a ________ barometer reading. a. variable, rising then falling b. high c. slowly rising d. rapidly falling e. very low

rapidly falling

4.If a warm front is approaching, you can expect a. rising temperatures. b. falling temperatures. c. calm winds. d. clearing skies.

rising temperatures

0. Middle-latitude anticyclones a. are large low-pressure systems. b. rotate clockwise. c. travel from east to west.d. have cold fronts but not warm fronts.

rotate clockwise

Middle-latitude cyclones a. are large high-pressure systems. b. rotate counterclockwise. c. travel from east to west. d. have cold fronts but not warm fronts. 1

rotate counterclockwise

23. The ________ scale is used to establish categories of hurricane intensity. a. Stormfury b. Fujita c. Saffir-Simpson d. Johnson-Hildebrand

saffir-simpson

47.The initial detection and monitoring of tropical storms that may become hurricanes is accomplished by a. ocean buoys. b. coastal observers. c. aircraft. d. ocean ships. e. satellites.

satellites

14. Doppler radars a. show the motion of precipitation particles. b. detect lightning strokes. c. have much greater range than conventional radars. d. show the motion of air in clear areas. e. detect condensation nuclei.

show the motion of precipitation particles

Why is the eye region of a hurricane largely free of precipitation and clouds? a. sinking air motion b. rising air motion c. pressure gradient is weaker d. cooler temperatures

sinking air motion

26. The energy of a mid-latitude cyclone comes mainly from a. clouds. b. ocean water. c. sinking cold air and rising warm air. d. Earth's interior. e. greenhouse effect.

sinking cold air and rising warm air

25.________ are relatively narrow, elongated bands of thunderstorms that develop in the warm sector of a middle-latitude cyclone, usually in advance of a cold front. Select one: a. Mesocyclones b. Roll clouds c. Supercells d. Squall lines

squall lines

27 The greatest number of hurricane-related deaths may be attributed to: a. inland freshwater flooding. b. strong winds.c. tornadoes.d. storm surge. e. lightning.

storm surge

8.As a strong hurricane moves ashore, which of the following causes the most devastating damage in the coastal zone? a. lightning b. storm surge c. torrential rains d. strong winds

storm surge

Some of the most dangerous weather is produced by a type of thunderstorm called a: a. updraft. b. supercell.c. gust front. d. roll cloud.

supercell

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

the Coriolis effect is too weak to create motion

When an air mass is warmer than the surface over which it is moving: a. the air becomes more stable. b. the lapse rate in the air mass is increased. c. visibility within the air mass is usually very good. d. the letter k is added after the air mass symbol.

the air becomes more stable

29.Air masses are identified by a pair of letters, one lowercase and one uppercase. The uppercase letter (P, A, or T) refers to: a. the elevation of the air mass source region. b. average air pressure within the air mass. c. the humidity levels within the air mass. d. the approximate latitude of the air mass source region.

the approximate latitude of the air mass source region

19. In the United States, lake-effect snows occur over which area? Select one: a. Lake Champlain b. the leeward shores of the Great Lakes c. the windward side of the Mississippi River d. the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains

the leeward shores of the great lakes

7. Which of the following statements about the Moon is true? a. The Moon goes through a cycle of phases because it always has the same side facing Earth. b. The Moon is visible only at night. c. The Moon's distance from Earth varies during its orbit. d. If you see a full Moon from North America, someone in South America would see a new Moon. e. The side of the Moon facing away from Earth is in perpetual darkness.

the moon's distance from earth varies during its orbit

8. In addition to the conditions required for any solar eclipse, what must also be true in order for you to observe a total solar eclipse? a. Earth must lie completely within the Moon's umbra. b. Earth must be near aphelion in its orbit of the Sun. c. The Moon's penumbra must touch the area where you are located. d. Earth must lie completely within the Moon's penumbra. e. The Moon's umbra must touch the area where you are located.

the moon's umbra must touch the area where you are located

6.. Why is it summer in the Northern Hemisphere when it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere? a. The Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun and receives more indirect sunlight. b. The Northern Hemisphere is closer to the Sun than the Southern Hemisphere. c. The Northern Hemisphere is "on top" of Earth and therefore receives more sunlight. d. It isn't: both hemispheres have the same seasons at the same time. e. The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun and receives more direct sunlight.

the northern hemisphere is titled toward the sun and recieves more direct sunlight

What conditions are required for a lunar eclipse? a. The phase of the Moon must be new, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. b. The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. c. The phase of the Moon must be full, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. d. The phase of the Moon can be new or full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. e. The phase of the Moon must be new, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic.

the phase of the moon must be full, and the nodes of the moon's orbit must be nearly aligned eith earth and the sun

3What conditions are required for a solar eclipse? a. The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. b. The phase of the Moon must be new, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. c. The phase of the Moon must be full, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. d. The phase of the Moon must be new, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. e. The phase of the Moon can be new or full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun.

the phase of the moon must be new, and the nodes of the moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the sun

6. The more violent nature of weather produced by a cold front can be attributed to which two factors? a. the gradual slope and fast forward motion of the front b. the gradual slope and slow forward motion of the front c. the steep slope and fast forward motion of the front d. the steep slope and slow forward motion of the front

the steep slope and fast forwad motion of the front

The type of weather most frequently associated with the front shown on the diagram above is: a. thunderstorms and other severe weather. b. blizzards. c. clear skies. d. steady, gentle rainfall.

thunderstorms and other severe weather.

7.Which of the following should have the steepest pressure gradient? a. hurricane b. tornado c. middle-latitude cyclone d. typhoon

tornado

20. The Fujita Intensity Scale (F-scale) is applied to: a. thunderstorms. b. typhoons. c. lightning. d. tornadoes.

tornadoes

35. When a cyclone's strongest winds do not exceed 37 miles per hour it is called a: a. dust devil. b. tornado. c. tropical depression. d. tropical storm. e. hurricane.

tropical depression

What is the proper order of storm intensity in terms of increasing wind speed? a. hurricane, tropical depression, tropical storm b. tropical depression, tropical storm, hurricane c. tropical depression, hurricane, tropical storm d. tropical storm, tropical depression, hurricane e. tropical storm, hurricane, tropical depression

tropical depression, tropical storm, hurricane

4.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. cyclones c. tropical breezes d. tsunamis

typhoons

16. Thunderstorms and large cumulus clouds are characteristic of a. all warm fronts. b. stable air. c. all polar air masses. d. isothermal lapse rates. e. unstable air.

unstable air

9. Which of the following statements is not true of tornadoes? a. usually occur along the warm front of a midlatitude cyclone b. occur most frequently in the spring of the year c. most common in the Midwest and Great Plains d. generally move from the southwest toward the northeast e. associated with cumulonimbus clouds

usually occur along the warm front of a madlatitude cyclone

2. The circulation in the immediate vicinity of a thunderstorm is: a. cyclonic. b. anticyclonic.c. variable and gusty. d. calm.

variable and gusty

15.The lifting of air and the resulting formation of clouds and rain is more gentle (gradual) for a a. mesocyclone. b. occluded front. c. cold front.d. divergence zone. e. warm front.

warm front

50. Why do hurricanes initially form only in the tropics? a. Coriolis is weaker there. b. Warm water temperatures are found there. c. Stronger pressure gradients are found there. d. Subsiding air currents are found there.

warm water temperatures are found there

5.Thunderstorms form when ________, humid air rises in a ________ environment. a. cold; stable b. warm; unstable c. warm; stable d. cold; unstable

warm; unstale

28. Prediction success and observation of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes by the National Weather Service is limited because a. lightning activity prevents accurate radar detection. b. weather stations are widely spaced compared to the size of the storm. c. the structure of thunderstorms is not well known. d. wind speeds are too fast to measure. e. observers are not always well trained.

weather stations are widely spaced compared to the size of the storm

3.What determines when a tropical depression or storm is given hurricane status? a. diameter b. wind speed c. central pressure d. water temperature

wind speed