Question 1

A small thunderstorm cloud with virga falling out of its base and blowing dust at the ground could warn of a severe hazard to an airplane because

Accepted Answer

A)   this could be the first indication of a tornado.
B)   it is likely that hail will soon begin to fall.
C)   this could indicate an intense downdraft or microburst.
D)   the airplane could be struck by lightning. C

Question 2

Severe thunderstorms are different from ordinary thunderstorms in that severe thunderstorms

Accepted Answer

A)   contain thunder and lightning.
B)   have an anvil.
C)   contain hail.
D)   have a strong updraft and downdraft.
E)   have a tilted updraft in the mature stage. E

Question 3

When caught in a thunderstorm in an open field,the best thing to do is to

Accepted Answer

A)   run for cover under the nearest tree.
B)   lie down flat on the ground.
C)   crouch down as low as possible while minimizing contact with the ground.
D)   remove all metallic objects from your pockets. C

Question 4

The downdraft in an ordinary thunderstorm is created mainly by

Accepted Answer

A)   the melting of snow in the anvil.
B)   electrical attraction between the cloud and ground.
C)   the release of latent heat as water in the cloud freezes.
D)   evaporating raindrops that make the air cold and heavy.
E)   upper level wind motions.

Question 5

List and discuss some of the atmospheric conditions that are needed for a thunderstorm to develop.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List and discuss some of the atmospheric...

Question 6

What is wind shear? Why does wind shear represent a hazard to aviation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is wind shear? Why does wind...

Question 7

The most likely time for an ordinary thunderstorm to form is

Accepted Answer

A)   just after sunrise.
B)   just before sunrise.
C)   around midnight.
D)   late afternoon.
E)   at noon.

Question 8

In a typical tornado the winds are usually not much more than ____ miles per hour.

Accepted Answer

A)   25
B)   50
C)   100
D)   200

Question 9

Squall lines generally do not form

Accepted Answer

A)   behind a cold front.
B)   when the air aloft develops waves downwind from a cold front.
C)   along a dry line.
D)   in the warm sector where warm,dry air meets warm,humid air.
E)   ahead of an advancing cold front.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about tornadoes is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)   All tornadoes rotate in a counterclockwise direction.
B)   Tornadoes never strike the same place twice.
C)   All tornadoes make a distinction roar.
D)   The United States has more tornadoes that any other country in the world.

Question 11

Compare some damaging straight-line winds with tornado winds.Which do you think are more destructive?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare some damaging straight-line winds with tornado...

Question 12

In the United States,tornadoes are most frequent during the ____,and least frequent during the ____.

Accepted Answer

A)   summer,fall
B)   spring,winter
C)   spring,fall
D)   summer,winter
E)   winter,fall

Question 13

List and describe the stages of development of an ordinary thunderstorm.About how long does a single ordinary thunderstorm cell last?

Accepted Answer

The answer of List and describe the stages of development...

Question 14

All thunderstorms require

Accepted Answer

A)   hot,humid air.
B)   divergence of the air aloft.
C)   lifting along some barrier such as a mountain or front.
D)   surface heating.
E)   rising air.

Question 15

Where do thunderstorms form most frequently in the US? Why is this the case? Is this also where most tornadoes occur? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Where do thunderstorms form most frequently in...

Question 16

The initial stage of an ordinary thunderstorm is the

Accepted Answer

A)   mature stage.
B)   dissipating stage.
C)   cumulus stage.
D)   multicell stage.

Question 17

If a tornado is rotating in a counterclockwise direction and moving toward the northeast,the strongest winds will be on its ____ side.

Accepted Answer

A)   southwestern
B)   southeastern
C)   northeastern
D)   northwestern

Question 18

Most tornadoes move from the southwest toward the northeast.Why is this true?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most tornadoes move from the southwest toward...

Question 19

In a region where severe thunderstorms with tornadoes are forming,one would not expect to observe

Accepted Answer

A)   a strong ridge of high pressure over the region.
B)   a dry tongue of cold air between the 700 and 500 mb levels.
C)   the polar jet stream above the region.
D)   moist warm air moving north at about the 850 mb level.

Question 20

The most frequent time of day for tornadoes to form is in the

Accepted Answer

A)   early morning just after sunrise.
B)   late morning just before noon.
C)   evening just after sunset.
D)   afternoon.
E)   middle of the night.

Exam 14: Thunderstorms and Tornadoes