Deck 12: Weather Analysis and Forecasting

Question 1

What is the dew point represented on the station model shown above?

A)-20°C
B)75°F
C)69°F
D)69°C

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The word synoptic literally means:

A)coincident in time.
B)related to weather.
C)of the same place.
D)bird-eyed.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The process of predicting the future state of the atmosphere is called:

A)weather analysis.
B)weather predicting.
C)weather forecasting.
D)hindcasting.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

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.

Question 5

If you need to measure wind speed and direction at a height of 10 km above the surface,the type of radar you would use is called:

A)Doppler radar.
B)a wind profiler.
C)sonic radar.
D)a tropospheric assessor.

Question 6

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.

Question 7

The job of collecting,compiling and displaying weather data is done by:

A)a weather prognostic.
B)a weather forecaster.
C)a weather reporter.
D)a weather analyst.

Question 8

Which of the following data is not plotted on a weather chart?

A)dew-point temperature
B)sky cover
C)cloud height
D)solar radiation
E)temperature

Question 9

Synoptic weather maps display weather data that:

A)show multiple levels of the atmosphere on the same chart.
B)were measured at the same time.
C)were measured at the same place.
D)were measured by a satellite.
E)were calculated by a mathematical model.

Question 10

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman,Oklahoma,maintains a constant vigil for:

A)snow storms.
B)hurricanes and tropical storms.
C)floods and flash floods.
D)thunderstorms and tornadoes.

Question 11

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.

Question 12

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 for Environmental Prediction.

Question 13

What is the current wind direction represented on the station model shown above?

A)SE
B)NW
C)NE
D)SW

Question 14

Synoptic charts have isobars plotted at ________ millibar intervals.

A)4
B)10
C)5
D)1
E)12

Question 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

Question 16

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.

Question 17

What is the current air temperature represented on the station model shown above?

A)75°F
B)75°C
C)69°F
D)-20°C
E)105°F

Question 18

Weather analysis includes all of the following EXCEPT:

A)plotting numerical data.
B)collecting data.
C)compiling data.
D)transmitting data.
E)prediction of future weather data.

Question 19

Which of the following weather data is not always plotted in the same location with respect to the weather station?

A)cloud type
B)past weather
C)barometric pressure
D)pressure tendency
E)wind direction

Question 20

Why are most weather data displayed in the form of a map or chart?

A)More data can be recorded on a map.
B)Maps are easier to remember.
C)Maps display the data in their proper place,relative to other data,and allow the identification of patterns.
D)Maps are easier to construct than tables.

Question 21

On a surface-level synoptic weather chart,a front is often identified by zones that exhibit:

A)a strong jet stream.
B)clear skies.
C)gradual changes in pressure.
D)abrupt changes in temperature,humidity,and wind direction.

Question 22

Nowcasting:

A)is not very useful for predicting thunderstorms and tornadoes.
B)makes extensive use of radar and geostationary satellites.
C)makes little use of numerical data.
D)is primarily used for making long-range forecasts for large regions.

Question 23

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.

Question 24

________ predict(s)that future weather will be the same as the present weather conditions.

A)The analog method
B)Persistence forecasts
C)Trend forecasting
D)Nowcasting

Question 25

Why is the pattern of upper-level winds an important part of the forecasting process?

A)Rainfall at the surface corresponds to westerly flow aloft.
B)It strongly influences the development of surface storms.
C)Surface pressure controls the wind aloft.
D)Jet streams aloft always lead to storms.

Question 26

What is a typical time-step for a numerical weather model?

A)30 seconds
B)5 minutes
C)30 minutes
D)1 hour

Question 27

One of the primary uses for a 500-mb map is:

A)to estimate surface air temperature.
B)to predict surface wind speeds.
C)to determine the speed and direction of motion for a mid-latitude cyclone.
D)to monitor the position of the polar jet stream.

Question 28

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

Question 29

One commonly used way to improve a numerical model forecast is to:

A)reformulate the model after every forecast to correct errors.
B)statistically assess errors that the model makes repeatedly and adjust the forecast accordingly.
C)eliminate portions of the model that aren't contributing to the forecast.
D)simplify the model's assumptions.

Question 30

________ assume(s)that the weather occurring upstream will persist and move on to affect the area in its path.

A)Trend forecasting
B)Nowcasting
C)The analog method
D)Persistence forecasts

Question 31

The development of large,fast computers has allowed this method of weather prediction to become useful.

A)nowcasting
B)numerical
C)persistence
D)analog

Question 32

In numerical weather prediction,what is the hydrostatic equation used to describe?

A)changes in atmospheric density
B)vertical motion in the atmosphere
C)the impacts of changing temperature
D)horizontal advection

Question 33

You'd like to plan a Christmas day flight to visit family.You have several months lead time.How might you determine the probability of snowfall occurring and potentially interfering with your travel plans?

A)Consult a climatological forecast.
B)Watch the Weather Channel to hear the latest numerical forecast.
C)Refer to the analog forecast published by the NWS.
D)Roll the dice - no one can forecast that.

Question 34

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.

Question 35

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

Question 36

The current conditions in your location are sunny with a temperature of 85°F.Based on these observations,you forecast that in a few hours,it will be sunny with a temperature in the mid 80s.What kind of forecast have you issued?

A)a numerical forecast
B)a persistence forecast
C)a statistical forecast
D)an analog forecast

Question 37

Which technique is used that attempts to match current conditions with similar well established patterns from the past?

A)persistence forecasting
B)trend forecasting
C)isotachs method
D)analog method

Question 38

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

Question 39

Upper-air maps are commonly drawn for all the following pressures,except:

A)500 millibars.
B)700 millibars.
C)200 millibars.
D)850 millibars.
E)1000 millibars.

Question 40

A farmer is trying to determine which kind of seed he should plant.He consults a(n)________ in order to determine the length of his growing season and average rainfall in order to make the best choice.

A)analog forecast
B)persistence forecast
C)climatological forecast
D)numerical forecast

Question 41

In determining the occurrence of precipitation,the NWS forecasts are correct more than ________ percent of the time.

A)10
B)30
C)50
D)80

Question 42

How can a satellite "see" water vapor in the atmosphere?

A)The satellite is capable of sensing the wavelength of radiation typically emitted by water vapor.
B)It can't see vapor - it can only identify places where vapor is condensing.
C)It estimates vapor based on the temperature of the atmosphere.
D)It measures solar radiation reflecting off of the water vapor.

Question 43

When the upper-air exhibits a general ________ flow,cyclonic systems tend to move through quickly,creating rapidly changing weather conditions.

A)West to South
B)North to South
C)North to East
D)West to East

Question 44

Infrared images provide a way to determine which clouds are more likely to produce what?

A)humidity
B)drought
C)precipitation
D)wind

Question 45

Weather forecasters have the primary responsibility for making synoptic charts.

Question 46

Meteorology entered the space age on April 1,________,when the first weather satellite was launched into space.

A)1920
B)1960
C)1945
D)1980

Question 47

When upper-air flow produces large-amplitude troughs and a general ________ flow,cold air moves southward and cyclonic activity dominates the weather.

A)West to South
B)North to South
C)West to East
D)North to East

Question 48

These satellites circle the earth in a north-to-south direction,and obtain images of the entire Earth twice a day by drifting about 15 degrees westward over the earth's surface during each orbit.

A)Automated Surface Observing Systems
B)Polar satellites
C)Geostationary satellites
D)Doppler satellites

Question 49

Why are some satellites described as being stationary?

A)Their orbital motion matches the earth's rotation.
B)They orbit over the earth's poles.
C)They have no orbital motion.
D)They can only observe stationary weather systems.
E)Their altitude never changes.

Question 50

Airflow aloft is often illustrated with ________,lines of equal wind speed.

A)isotachs
B)isobars
C)isovels
D)isometers

Question 51

Only 50 nations are involved in the World Meteorological Organization.

Question 52

Which of the following upper air maps is most useful for observing the details of the polar jet stream?

A)1000-mb map
B)850-mb map
C)500-mb map
D)300-mb map

Question 53

These types of images are views of the earth the way an astronaut would see our planet from space.

A)infrared images
B)visible images
C)Moon images
D)water vapor images

Question 54

These satellites were placed in orbit over the equator and remain fixed over a point on Earth because they keep pace with the earth's rate of rotation.

A)Automated Surface Observing Systems
B)Polar Satellites
C)Geostationary satellites
D)Doppler Satellites

Question 55

The accuracy of day-to-day weather forecasts for periods beyond ________ day(s)is relatively unreliable.

A)1
B)3
C)5
D)7

Question 56

The path that cyclonic storms follow (storm track)is usually farther to the south during:

A)nighttime.
B)autumn.
C)summer.
D)winter.

Question 57

Long range forecasts (monthly or seasonal)include predictions of:

A)pressure.
B)wind.
C)temperature.
D)precipitation.
E)temperature and precipitation.

Question 58

________ weather forecasting is an area that relies heavily on statistical averages obtained from past weather events (climatic data).

A)Numerical
B)Ensemble
C)Persistence
D)Long range

Question 59

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency,20 percent of all declared emergencies are weather related.

Question 60

A wave pattern in the upper-level winds at middle latitudes provides for:

A)colder temperatures at all latitudes.
B)warm air moving south.
C)cold air moving south.
D)decreased snowfall.

Question 61

The measured data written on a synoptic chart is data that was all measured at the same time.

Question 62

Satellites have made ground-based weather stations almost obsolete.

Question 63

Observing and forecasting small,short lived weather events (such as a thunderstorm)is strongly dependent on radar.

Question 64

Larger north-south temperature contrasts occur in summer.

Question 65

One of the major problems of global weather forecasting is the lack of cooperation between major world powers.

Question 66

Clouds and precipitation patterns are often clues to the position of a front.

Question 67

Ocean surface-temperature patterns may influence temperature and precipitation patterns around the globe.

Question 68

Wind arrows generally back (turn counterclockwise)across a frontal zone.

Question 69

Statistical methods are most commonly used to predict one aspect of the weather.

Question 70

Sharing of weather data among nations around the world is very limited.

Question 71

Oceans are less likely than land masses to be monitored for weather conditions.

Question 72

Smaller north-south temperature contrasts are associated with slower jet stream flow.

Question 73

Synoptic weather forecasting was developed before numerical weather prediction.

Question 74

Isotherms are lines representing equal values of solar radiation.

Question 75

The jet stream experiences stronger flow in the winter than summer.

Question 76

Until the late 1950s,synoptic weather forecasting with hand-drawn charts was the primary basis for making weather predictions.

Question 77

Pacific storms move toward Alaska more during the cold months than the warm months.

Question 78

Despite advances in computer technology,numerical weather prediction has advanced little since 1960.

Question 79

The polar jet stream migrates southward in winter and northward in summer.

Question 80

Nowcasting is heavily dependent on weather radar and geostationary satellites.