Deck 8: Weather

Question 1

Air flowing from different directions to an area of low pressure,coming together,and being displaced upward is an example of which type of lifting?

A)Convergent.
B)Convectional.
C)Orographic.
D)Frontal.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following terms is a homogeneous volume of air with respect to temperature,and moisture characteristics?

A)Cyclone.
B)Air mass.
C)Front.
D)Parcel.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which of the following is true regarding air masses?

A)An air mass initially reflects the characteristics of its source region.
B)They are stratified in terms of temperature and humidity.
C)They may dominate only the absolute minimal depth of the troposphere.
D)Air masses tend to maintain their original characteristics as they migrate from their source regions.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

When a cold cP air mass passes over the warmer Great Lakes,it absorbs heat energy and moisture and becomes humidified.This is known as which of the following?

A)Continental effect.
B)Maritime effect.
C)Humidity effect.
D)Lake effect.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of lifting due to air rising as a result of being stimulated by local surface heating?

A)Convergent.
B)Convectional.
C)Orographic.
D)Frontal.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the maritime tropical Pacific (mT)and maritime tropical Gulf and Atlantic (mT)air masses?

A)They are different from one another because the Pacific air mass usually has lower specific humidity than the Gulf/Atlantic air mass.
B)Both are usually extremely unstable.
C)They are very different because the Pacific air mass is very unstable and the Gulf/Atlantic air mass is usually stable.
D)Both are less active during summer months.

Question 7

Which is correctly matched?

A)cT-cold,dense air.
B)mP-warm,moist,stable conditions.
C)mP-warm,humid,variable stability depending on source region.
D)cA-very cold,very dry,stable.

Question 8

Air displacement at a zone of discontinuity between two air masses of different temperature,pressure,humidity,wind speed and direction,and cloud development is an example of which type of lifting?

A)Convergent.
B)Convectional.
C)Orographic.
D)Frontal.

Question 9

Which of the following matches is true?

A)Specific humidity of 17 g • kg-1 = average moisture content of mT Gulf air mass in the summer.
B)Very cold,dry,and stable air mass = mT Pacific air mass.
C)Warm,humid,very unstable air mass = mT Pacific air mass.
D)Tropical air mass source region = 40° to 55° N or S.

Question 10

Which of the following air masses develop over Canada?

A)mT.
B)mP.
C)cT.
D)cP.

Question 11

How does a mT air mass compare to a cT air mass?

A)A mT air mass forms over tropical rainforests and is usually more humid than a cT air mass.
B)A mT air mass forms over an ocean and is usually more humid than a cT air mass.
C)A mT air mass forms over an ocean and is usually less humid than a cT air mass.
D)A mT air mass forms under the equatorial low and is usually less humid than a cT air mass.

Question 12

Which of the following characteristics is associated with a well-developed,newly formed cP air mass?

A)Warm temperatures.
B)Cloudy skies.
C)High pressure.
D)Formation in the Southern Hemisphere.

Question 13

Which of the following pressure systems reside within the source region for mP air masses?

A)Bermuda high and Pacific high.
B)Aleutian low and Icelandic low.
C)Bermuda high and Icelandic low.
D)Aleutian low and Pacific high.

Question 14

Which of the following would result in the greatest modification of the air mass?

A)A cT air mass moving across Texas.
B)A cP air mass moving across the Great Lakes.
C)A mT air mass moving across the Gulf of Mexico.
D)A cP air mass remaining stationary over central Canada.

Question 15

Given a cP air mass and cT air mass with the same relative humidity,which air mass would have higher specific humidity?

A)The cP air mass would have the higher specific humidity.
B)The cT air mass would have the higher specific humidity.
C)The specific humidity of both would be the same because their relative humidities are the same.
D)It is impossible to say what would usually be true of their specific humidities.

Question 16

Air forcibly lifted upslope when it meets a topographic barrier such as a mountain is an example of which type of lifting?

A)Convergent.
B)Convectional.
C)Orographic.
D)Frontal.

Question 17

Which of the following terms refers to the dry leeward side of a mountain?

A)Rain shadow.
B)Chinook.
C)Front.
D)Orogeny.

Question 18

Consider a mT air mass and a cT air mass.How does the mT air mass compare to the cT air mass and why?

A)mT is wetter because it is warmer than the cT air mass.
B)mT is wetter because it forms over the ocean.
C)mT is drier because it is a cold air mass.
D)mt is drier because it forms under the equatorial low.

Question 19

Which of the following defines weather?

A)The climate of a region.
B)The short-term condition of the atmosphere.
C)The long-term atmospheric condition,including extremes that may occur.
D)A reference to temperature patterns only.

Question 20

Which of the following is the scientific study of the short-term condition of the atmosphere?

A)Weather.
B)Climate.
C)Meteorology.
D)Geography.

Question 21

The place on Earth with the highest annual average rainfall is located in which of the following?

A)The United States.
B)The Amazon Basin.
C)Southeast Asia.
D)Equatorial Africa.

Question 22

Occlusion in a midlatitude wave cyclone can occur because of which of the following?

A)Warm fronts travel more quickly than cold fronts.
B)Cold fronts travel more quickly than warm fronts.
C)Warm and cold fronts travel at the same speed.
D)Warm air sinks in low pressure areas.

Question 23

Which of the following is true of the occluded stage of a midlatitude cyclone?

A)It occurs when the cold front overruns the slower moving warm front.
B)It occurs as soon as air begins to be uplifted along the cold front.
C)It occurs at the time when the cold front and warm front are clearly and distinctly separated from one another.
D)This stage is characteristic of an early stage of cyclone development.

Question 24

When a cold front approaches,which of the following correctly pairs the effect on air pressure initially with the explanation of why this happens?

A)Air pressure initially will increase due to the displacement and uplift of cold air.
B)Air pressure initially will increase due to the displacement and uplift of warm air.
C)Air pressure initially will decrease due to the displacement and uplift of cold air.
D)Air pressure initially will decrease due to the displacement and uplift of warm air.

Question 25

Which of the following occurs at some stage during the development of a chinook wind? (Assume rain occurs near the mountain summit.)

A)Compression of the air as it rises up the windward side of the mountain.
B)Increase in specific humidity of the air near the summit.
C)Decrease in relative humidity during the air's ascent up the windward side.
D)Compressional heating of the air on the leeward side.

Question 26

Summer afternoon thundershowers in the southeastern United States are more than likely a result of which of the following?

A)Convectional lifting.
B)Orographic lifting.
C)Frontal lifting.
D)Subtropical high pressure disturbance.

Question 27

Which of the following is true of the open stage of a midlatitude cyclone in the Northern Hemisphere?

A)A disturbance develops along the polar front with warm air converging and rising near the surface.
B)The faster moving cold front overtakes the slower warm front and wedges beneath it.
C)Warm air moves northward along an advancing front,while cold air advances southward.
D)The lifting mechanism is completely cut off from the warm air mass.

Question 28

The highest rainfall in the world occurs in an area whose rainfall is generated by which of the following?

A)Advectional cooling of air masses over cold ocean currents.
B)Orographic uplift of warm,moist air.
C)Convectional uplift of warm,moist air.
D)Radiative cooling of cold,moist air.

Question 29

Which is the weather at the station symbol symbolized by A?

A)Cold front.
B)Warm front.
C)Stationary front.
D)Occluded front.

Question 30

Which of the following characterizes the Intertropical Convergence Zone?

A)Cold,dry rising air.
B)Cold,dry sinking air.
C)Warm dry rising air.
D)Warm,wet rising air.

Question 31

Which is the weather at the station symbol symbolized by C?

A)Cold front.
B)Warm front.
C)Stationary front.
D)Occluded front.

Question 32

Which of the following refers to the term "orographic"?

A)Convection stimulated principally by local heating.
B)Lifting along the edges of conflicting air masses.
C)Air mass modification and the formation of secondary air masses.
D)Forced uplift due to the presence of a physical barrier.

Question 33

In western Canada,the coast receives far more rainfall than the eastern portion of the area.What accounts for this stark contrast?

A)The coast experiences a great deal of frontal lifting,while the eastern portion is under a high pressure cell.
B)The coast experiences orographic precipitation,while the easternmost portion is in the rain shadow.
C)The coast has much more moderate temperatures due to the maritime effect and,therefore,experiences convectional uplift,while the eastern portion is governed by continentality.
D)The coast is under the ITCZ during the summer and experiences convergent uplift,while the eastern portion is under the Azores High and experiences subsiding air.

Question 34

Which is the weather at the station symbol symbolized by B?

A)Cold front.
B)Warm front.
C)Stationary front.
D)Occluded front.

Question 35

Which of the following refers to the term "rain shadow"?

A)Periods of time during which there is a lack of rainfall.
B)Dry regions on the leeward side of mountain ranges.
C)Windward slopes of mountains.
D)Wet areas on the downwind sides of mountains.

Question 36

After a warm front passes,which of the following lists the effect on the temperature and the pressure (relative to the conditions that existed prior to the passage of the front)?

A)Temperature increases; pressure increases.
B)Temperature increases; pressure decreases.
C)Temperature decreases; pressure increases.
D)Temperature decreases; pressure decreases.

Question 37

After a cold front passes,which of the following lists the effect on the temperature and the pressure (relative to the conditions that existed prior to the passage of the front)?

A)Temperature increases; pressure increases.
B)Temperature increases; pressure decreases.
C)Temperature decreases; pressure increases.
D)Temperature decreases; pressure decreases.

Question 38

Which of the following is typical of cyclonic storm tracks across Canada and the United States?

A)They shift to the south in winter,and toward the north in summer.
B)They move east to west.
C)They move south to north.
D)The exist in spring and fall only.

Question 39

Which is the weather at the station symbol symbolized by D?

A)Cold front.
B)Warm front.
C)Stationary front.
D)Occluded front.

Question 40

Which of the following is the area with the record precipitation received in a single year?

A)In the United States.
B)In the Amazon in Brazil.
C)In the Assam Hills in India,south of the Himalayas.
D)In Southeast Asia.

Question 41

Which of the following characterizes the severity of storm activity along a warm front as compared to that along most cold fronts and why?

A)Storm activity along a warm front is less because the rate of uplift is slower along a warm front.
B)Storm activity along a warm front is less because the rate of uplift is faster along a warm front.
C)Storm activity along a warm front is greater because the rate of uplift is slower along a warm front.
D)Storm activity along a warm front is greater because the rate of uplift is faster along a warm front.

Question 42

Hail generally forms in which of the following?

A)Within nimbostratus clouds.
B)In association with warm front activity.
C)Within cumulonimbus clouds.
D)In altocumulus and cirrocumulus clouds.

Question 43

Tornadoes in Canada occur as a result of the interaction of which air masses?

A)mT; cP.
B)cP; mT.
C)mP; cP.
D)mT; mP.

Question 44

Which of the following is true of thunderstorms?

A)In North America the least thunderstorms occur in areas dominated by mT air masses.
B)The largest authenticated hailstone weighed 75.8 g.
C)In the North America,the area with the highest number of thunderstorms per year has the highest average number of tornadoes per year.
D)Kampala,Uganda,is the place with the most thunderstorms per year (242)and it sits virtually on the equator.

Question 45

Which of the following is true regarding wave-cyclone development,intensification,and strengthening?

A)The process can occur only along the polar front.
B)Terragenesis is the name for this process.
C)A midlatitude cyclone,from birth to maturity to dissolution,takes an average of a month.
D)A midlatitude cyclone involves two fronts and three air masses.

Question 46

Which of the following is the correct estimation of lightning strikes that occur each day on Earth?

A)8000.
B)80 000.
C)800 000.
D)8 000 000.

Question 47

Ice storms occur when which of the following conditions prevail?

A)Rain drops circulate repeatedly above and below the freezing level in a cloud.
B)Moist,cool air is adiabatically cooled to the freezing point.
C)A cold front pushes warm,moist air to the freezing level in a cloud.
D)A layer of warm air is between two layers of cold air.

Question 48

Which of the following is correctly matched?

A)Abruptly lifted warmer air - warm front.
B)Drizzly precipitation - cold front.
C)Cold front - clear cold air and high clouds as the front approaches.
D)Hard rain and possible lightning - cold front.

Question 49

Which of the following cloud types is associated with tornado development?

A)Cumulus.
B)Nimbostratus.
C)Altocumulus.
D)Cumulonimbus.

Question 50

Which of the following is true?

A)Lightning results from the buildup of electrical-energy polarity within clouds.
B)Thunder is caused by rapid cooling of the air.
C)Thunder is caused by rapid contraction of the air.
D)Lightning is relatively uncommon on Earth.

Question 51

Which of the following properly states the storm relationship between warm fronts and cold fronts?

A)Storms along warm fronts are more severe than storms along cold fronts because warm fronts move more quickly.
B)Storms along warm fronts are more severe than storms along cold fronts because uplift is more rapid along warm fronts.
C)Storms along cold fronts are more severe than storms along warm fronts because cold air holds more moisture than warm air.
D)Storms along cold fronts are more severe than storms along warm fronts because uplift is more rapid along cold fronts.

Question 52

Tornadoes are ranked in terms of wind speed and related property damage using which scale?

A)Beaufort.
B)Enhanced Fujita.
C)Mercalli.
D)Richter.

Question 53

Which are the strongest thunderstorms?

A)Supercells.
B)Multicell clusters.
C)Multicell lines.
D)Single-cells.

Question 54

The highest frequency of tornadoes per 10 000 km2 in Canada occurs in which of the following?

A)Alberta.
B)Saskatchewan.
C)Manitoba.
D)Ontario.

Question 55

Which of the following is defined as variations of wind speed and direction with altitude?

A)Supercells.
B)Convection.
C)Wind shear.
D)Convergence.

Question 56

Which of the following is true of migrating centers of low pressure in the Northern Hemisphere?

A)The winds diverge from the pressure system and spiral outward in a clockwise fashion.
B)These pressure systems tend to move east to west along storm tracks.
C)These pressure systems are characterized by converging,ascending air that spirals inward in a counterclockwise fashion.
D)They form only a minor weather pattern in the middle and higher latitudes.

Question 57

Which of the following is true of tornadoes in the United States?

A)They occur in every month except March and April.
B)The peak month is November.
C)The peak month is May.
D)They develop within cP air masses.

Question 58

Which of the following characterizes the severity of storm activity along a cold front as compared to that along most warm fronts and why?

A)Storm activity along a cold front is less because the rate of uplift is slower along a cold front.
B)Storm activity along a cold front is less because the rate of uplift is faster along a cold front.
C)Storm activity along a cold front is greater because the rate of uplift is slower along a cold front.
D)Storm activity along a cold front is greater because the rate of uplift is faster along a cold front.

Question 59

Which of the following correctly describes how hail forms?

A)Hail forms when water falls from a cloud and freezes during its fall to the ground.
B)Hail forms every time water condenses onto dust particles.
C)Hail forms from repeated circulation of raindrops above and below the freezing level in a cloud.
D)Hail forms when water vapour sublimates (deposits)inside a cirrus cloud.

Question 60

Which of the following best describes tornadoes?

A)They are rarely associated with hurricanes.
B)They are associated with mesocyclones.
C)They do not occur anywhere else in the world outside of North America.
D)They are called funnel clouds after they come in contact with the ground.

Question 61

Why are the winds in a hurricane and tornado so strong?

A)The pressure gradient is weak.
B)The pressure at the center of the storm is very low.
C)Tremendous amounts of evaporation occur in the center of the storm.
D)Friction in the air is minimal.

Question 62

Which hurricane holds the Atlantic basin record for most damage (cost)?

A)Hurricane Wilma.
B)Hurricane Ioke.
C)Hurricane Floyd.
D)Hurricane Katrina.

Question 63

Which of the following "ingredients" is not associated with thunderstorm formation?

A)Warm,moist air.
B)Rising,unstable air.
C)A lifting mechanism.
D)Strong high pressure cell.

Question 64

Cyclones in the southern Indian Ocean usually occur between which of the following times?

A)November and May.
B)April and December.
C)June and October.
D)August and December.

Question 65

Which of the following is true regarding hurricanes and tornadoes?

A)The pressure gradient is weak.
B)The pressure at the center of the storm is very low.
C)Small amounts of condensation occur in the center of the storm.
D)There is very limited wind shear.

Question 66

Which of the following describes upper-level divergence above an easterly wave before a hurricane forms?

A)It weakens vertical convective circulation.
B)It pulls moisture into the system.
C)It causes the system to dissipate.
D)It moves west to east.

Question 67

Which of the following was the deadliest Atlantic hurricane of the last 100 years?

A)Hurricane Mitch.
B)Hurricane Bonnie.
C)Hurricane Andrew.
D)Hurricane Camille.

Question 68

Easterly waves are characterized by which of the following?

A)They travel from east to west in the trade wind belt.
B)They travel from west to east in the trade wind belt.
C)They travel from east to west in the westerly belt.
D)They travel from west to east in the westerly belt.

Question 69

Which is the correct order of tropical cyclone classification,from weakest to strongest?

A)Tropical disturbance-tropical depression-tropical storm-hurricane.
B)Tropical depression-tropical disturbance-hurricane-tropical storm.
C)Tropical storm-tropical disturbance-tropical depression-hurricane.
D)Hurricane-tropical disturbance-tropical depression-tropical storm.

Question 70

Which of the following is true of hurricanes in the western Atlantic?

A)The peak months of occurrence are from August to October.
B)They are generally called cyclones or typhoons in this part of the world.
C)They are associated with the cool,southward-flowing Kuroshio current.
D)They occur in association with local monsoonal winds.

Question 71

Which hurricane holds the western hemisphere records for lowest barometric pressure?

A)Hurricane Camille.
B)Hurricane Hugo.
C)Hurricane Agnes.
D)Hurricane Wilma.

Question 72

The Saffir-Simpson scale estimates potential property damage from which type of violent weather?

A)Hurricanes.
B)Tornadoes.
C)Tropical depressions.
D)Storm surges.

Question 73

Which part of a hurricane consists of dry,subsiding air?

A)Eye.
B)Spiral bands.
C)Eye wall (collar clouds).
D)Easterly trade winds.

Question 74

Which of the following is not a regional name for the most powerful tropical cyclones?

A)Hurricane.
B)Easterly wave.
C)Typhoon.
D)Cyclone.

Question 75

Why do hurricanes die when they move over land?

A)Coriolis force is not sufficient to sustain them over land.
B)The land temperature is not warm enough to sustain the low pressure system.
C)Evaporation and subsequent condensation are no longer sufficient to sustain them.
D)Anticyclonic forces overtake the cyclonic storm.

Question 76

Prior to making landfall,the characteristics of Hurricane Sandy changed and it was classified as which of the following?

A)Midlatitude anticyclone.
B)Typhoon.
C)Tropical depression.
D)Post-tropical cyclone.

Question 77

In which of the following areas will thunderstorms not develop?

A)In areas of orographic uplift.
B)In areas of surface convergence.
C)Along frontal boundaries.
D)Under areas of strong high pressure.

Question 78

Which of the following is typical of tropical cyclones?

A)They are produced by the conflict between air masses and frontal activity.
B)They originate entirely within tropical air masses.
C)They usually form poleward of 23.5° latitude in either hemisphere.
D)They are called hurricanes worldwide.

Question 79

Uplift and storm development occur on which side of an easterly wave?

A)Northern.
B)Southern.
C)Eastern.
D)Western.

Question 80

Hurricanes derive their energy from which of the following?

A)The latent heat of vaporization.
B)The latent heat of fusion.
C)The latent heat of condensation.
D)The latent heat of sublimation.