Deck 23: Weather and Climate

Question 1

Raindrops in a summer rainstorm may have actually started as ice crystals at high altitudes.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

When water vapor in the atmosphere condenses to liquid water,

A)dew falls to the ground.
B)it rains or snows.
C)a cloud forms.
D)All of the above.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following is not considered to be a form of precipitation?

A)rain
B)dew
C)snow
D)hail

Answer 3

B

Question 4

From this graph, estimate the temperature of a parcel of air that has risen to 400 m.

A)26ºC
B)27.5ºC
C)25ºC
D)1.5ºC

Question 5

The base of a cumulus cloud marks the altitude at which rising air cools to the dew point.

Question 6

A parcel of air shoved upward into atmospheric air in a state of stability will expand and become cooler

A)than the surrounding air.
B)reaching the same temperature as the surrounding air.
C)but not as cool as the surrounding air.
D)then warmer as it rises.

Question 7

The cooling rate for expanding dry air is about 10ºC cooling for each km gain in altitude.The cooling rate observed when water vapor in the air condenses is

A)generally greater.
B)generally lesser.
C)the same.
D)sometimes greater, sometimes lesser.

Question 8

A parcel of air that rises undergoes

A)turbulent heating.
B)cooling by expansion.
C)compressional cooling.
D)isothermal expansion.

Question 9

During the condensation process heat is absorbed, which produces down drafts.

Question 10

The western slopes of mountains are moist and forested, whereas the eastern slopes are dry and have grassland or desert vegetation.

Question 11

Clouds that are gray have larger water droplets than do white clouds.

Question 12

Which cloud type is usually associated with the arrival of a cold front?

A)high, thin cirrus
B)towering cumulus
C)low stratus
D)Any of these.

Question 13

How does the average amount of water that returns to the oceans by precipitation compare to the water that leaves by evaporation?

A)Evaporation is greater than precipitation.
B)Precipitation and evaporation are equal.
C)Precipitation is greater than evaporation.
D)There is no pattern that can be generalized.

Question 14

The average density of liquid water in a cloud is 1 gram per cubic centimeter.

Question 15

Without condensation nuclei, a cooling air mass can become supersaturated.

Question 16

A parcel of air that is shoved upward into atmospheric air in a state of instability will expand and become cooler

A)than the surrounding air.
B)reaching the same temperature as the surrounding air.
C)but not as cool as the surrounding air.
D)then warmer as it rises.

Question 17

The graph describes an atmosphere in a state of

A)stability.
B)instability.
C)temperature inversion.
D)saturation.

Question 18

When a warm air mass advances over a mass of cooler air, towering cumulus clouds form, often resulting in thunderstorms.

Question 19

After the eye of a hurricane passes over you, thunderstorms and high winds resume, but now blowing in the opposite direction.

Question 20

A parcel of air can be cooled by expansion.

Question 21

In the diagram below, the parcel of air will

A)continue to rise.
B)stay at the same altitude.
C)fall.
D)rise or fall, depending on the humidity.

Question 22

A cyclone is centered about a

A)region of low pressure.
B)region of high pressure.
C)cold front.
D)occluded front.

Question 23

Longer periods of drizzle, rain, or snow are usually associated with which cloud type?

A)stratus
B)cumulus
C)cirrus
D)None of the above.

Question 24

There are greater temperature extremes in North Dakota than in the state of Washington because

A)North Dakota is farther north than Washington.
B)North Dakota is more mountainous than Washington.
C)there is no ocean near North Dakota.
D)the dry adiabatic lapse rate is greater in North Dakota.

Question 25

Most of the great deserts in the world are located

A)near the equator.
B)30˚ north or south latitude.
C)60˚ north or south latitude.
D)deserts can be found at any latitude.

Question 26

A condition that lifts a parcel of air to form cumulus clouds is

A)differential heating.
B)mountain barriers.
C)a cold front.
D)All of the above.

Question 27

On the eastern side of mountains in Oregon and Washington the air tends to

A)be warm and dry.
B)be cool and moist.
C)lose much of its moisture as it moves downslope.
D)cool as it is compressed.

Question 28

The phenomenon known as El Ni-o

A)describes the high pressure system over the ocean west of South America.
B)is the upwelling of cooler water with dissolved nutrients.
C)is responsible for the large fishing industry off the coast of Peru.
D)is believed to be related to worldwide changes in weather.

Question 29

A warm front forms when

A)a cold air mass displaces warmer air.
B)masses of cold air and warm air move past one another in opposite directions.
C)the Sun warms a stationary cold air mass.
D)a warm air mass advances over a mass of cooler air.

Question 30

Brief periods of showers are usually associated with which cloud type?

A)stratus
B)cumulus
C)cirrus
D)None of the above.