Deck 16: Hurricanes

Question 1

According to the Köppen system of classifying climates, which of the following letters designates dry climates?

A)climate A
B)climate B
C)climate C
D)climate D

Answer 1

B

Question 2

According to the Köppen system of classifying climates, which of the following climate types refers to a region where the average temperature of the warmest month averages 0°C or below?

A)polar ice cap climate
B)arctic climate
C)polar tundra climate
D)subpolar climate

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which of the following climate zones are characterized by average monthly temperatures that exceed 0°C, but remain below 10°C?

A)subpolar (Dfc) climate zone
B)polar ice cap (EF) climate zone
C)polar tundra (ET) climate zone
D)alpine (An) climate zone

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Annual and monthly averages of which of the following factors are used in the Köppen system for classifying climates?

A)ocean levels and surface pressure
B)population density and agricultural output
C)precipitation and stream runoff
D)temperature and precipitation

Question 5

Which of the following factors are the main influences on the tropical wet-and-dry climate?

A)subtropical highs and polar front
B)ITCZ and subtropical highs
C)polar front and the ITCZ
D)polar front and the subtropical highs

Question 6

Which of the following statements describes a region where tree growth is not possible?

A)Annual precipitation is 500 mm or less.
B)Average monthly temperatures are sometimes less than 0°C.
C)Average monthly temperatures never exceed 10°C.
D)Evaporation exceeds total annual precipitation.

Question 7

Which of the following describes the climate of a city on the west coast of Canada that has mild winters and a long, cool summer?

A)moist marine (Cfb) climate
B)tropical wet and dry (Aw) climate
C)semi-arid (BS) climate
D)moist continental (Dfa) climate

Question 8

Which of the following factors represents a climatic control?

A)ocean temperature
B)intensity of sunshine at different longitudes
C)prevailing winds
D)types of aerosols

Question 9

Which of the following climate types have the highest temperatures in the world?

A)continental moist climates
B)subtropical moist climates
C)subtropical arid climates
D)continental dry climates

Question 10

Which of the following terms refers to the climate of an area that is about the size of a town?

A)urban climate
B)mesoclimate
C)macroclimate
D)microclimate

Question 11

In which of the following climate types does steppe vegetation most likely occur?

A)semi-arid climate
B)humid subtropical climate
C)marine climate
D)subpolar climate

Question 12

Where are the coldest regions of large continents usually located?

A)in their interiors
B)on their western coast
C)on their eastern coast
D)on either coasts

Question 13

According to the Köppen system of classifying climates, which of the following letters designates tropical climates?

A)climate A
B)climate B
C)climate D
D)climate T

Question 14

According to the Köppen system of classifying climates, in which of the following climate types would thunderstorms NOT be expected?

A)climate A
B)climate E
C)climate C
D)climate D

Question 15

In which of the following areas would precipitation be LEAST likely?

A)in an area affected by maritime air masses
B)along a windward coast
C)in an area of low pressure
D)on the leeward side of a mountain range

Question 16

In an east-west oriented mountain range, where might a rain shadow occur?

A)east or west of the range
B)north or east of the range
C)south or west of the range
D)north or south of the range

Question 17

Which of the following climate types refers to a region that has long, very cold winters and average temperatures that exceed 10°C only during one or two months of the summer?

A)subpolar (Dfc) climate
B)alpine (An) climate
C)polar tundra (ET) climate
D)polar ice cap (EF) climate

Question 18

Which of the following regions of the United States has a humid subtropical climate?

A)central plains
B)southwest
C)southeast
D)southern California

Question 19

Which of the following climate types is characteristic of middle-latitude locations that have monthly average winter temperatures below 18°C and above -3°C?

A)steppe climate
B)semi-arid climate
C)moist continental climate
D)humid subtropical climate

Question 20

Which of the following climatic regions probably has the largest daily temperature range?

A)east coast marine climate
B)arid climate
C)tropical wet climate
D)Mediterranean climate

Question 21

Which of the following cities most likely has a dry summer?

A)Los Angeles, California
B)Chicago, Illinois
C)Halifax, Nova Scotia
D)Montreal, Quebec

Question 22

Which of the following tends to be the main location of deserts that experience low clouds and drizzle?

A)eastern side of continents
B)rain shadow of a mountain
C)centre of continents
D)western side of continents

Question 23

In which of the following locations would you expect to experience a D-type climate?

A)Alaska
B)western Europe
C)Texas
D)Canadian Prairies

Question 24

According to the Köppen system of classifying climates, in which of the following climate types would most of the precipitation occur during the cold season?

A)Cfa
B)Cs
C)Cfb
D)Cwa

Question 25

Which of the following climate types is the most abundant on Earth?

A)dry climate
B)moist continental climate
C)moist subtropical mid-latitude climate
D)moist tropical climate

Question 26

Which of the following is an accurate statement about tropical rain forest climates?

A)They are influenced by the ITCZ year-round.
B)They experience a cold season.
C)Thunderstorms rarely occur there.
D)They contain many xerophytes.

Question 27

Which of the following conditions characterizes the Mediterranean climate type?

A)mild, wet winters and mild, humid summers
B)cool, wet winters and mild to hot, dry summers
C)cold, wet winters and hot, humid summers
D)cold, relatively dry winters and mild, humid summers

Question 28

Which of the following climate types normally has the largest annual range in temperature?

A)humid subtropical climate
B)subpolar climate
C)polar ice cap climate
D)tropical climate

Question 29

Which of the following climate classifications refers to a region that has average monthly temperatures that remain above 18°C throughout the year and abundant rainfall, except for a short one- or two-month dry period?

A)tropical monsoon (Am)
B)humid continental (Dfa)
C)tropical wet (Af)
D)moist subtropical (Cs)

Question 30

In which of the following climates does the thawing of an upper layer of permafrost most likely occur?

A)humid subtropical climate
B)polar ice cap climate
C)polar tundra climate
D)humid continental climate with warm summers

Question 31

According to the Köppen system of classifying climates, which of the following climate types has xerophytes?

A)climate A
B)climate B
C)climate C
D)climate D

Question 32

Compare the following places: Dallol, Ethiopia; Death Valley, California; and El Azizia, Libya. Which of the following statements describes a climatic condition they have in common?

A)They are three of the sunniest places on Earth.
B)They are three of the wettest places on Earth.
C)They are three of the coldest places on the Earth.
D)They are three of the hottest places on the Earth.

Question 33

According to the Köppen system of classifying climates, which of the following climate types normally has the highest afternoon temperatures during the summer?

A)climate A
B)climate B
C)climate C
D)climate D

Question 34

Which of the following places are the coldest areas of the northern hemisphere?

A)at the centre of large bodies of water
B)on the periphery of large land masses
C)in the interior of large land masses
D)in coastal waters

Question 35

Which of the following describes the likely conditions in the centre of a large, middle-latitude continent?

A)abundant precipitation all year long
B)a precipitation maximum during winter
C)little precipitation at any time of year
D)a precipitation maximum during summer

Question 36

In a tropical wet-and-dry climate, which of the following is associated with the dry season?

A)subtropical high is distant
B)low sun period (winter)
C)low sun period (summer)
D)close proximity of the ITCZ

Question 37

Which of the following statements characterizes a humid continental climate?

A)Monthly average temperatures fall below -3°C during the winter.
B)Total rainfall exceeds 1500 mm.
C)Winter snowfall exceeds summer rainfall.
D)The location is more than 800 km from the nearest ocean.

Question 38

Which of the following locations is most likely to experience a dry month of February?

A)along the equator
B)along the west coast of Mexico (latitude 20°N)
C)along the Gulf Coast near New Orleans (latitude 30°N)
D)along the southern California coast (latitude 35°N)

Question 39

According to the Köppen system of classifying climates, where are marine climates mainly observed in Canada?

A)coast of Hudson Bay
B)coastal areas of the Maritimes
C)coastal margins of the Great Lakes
D)Pacific coast

Question 40

Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding average annual precipitation?

A)The highest amounts occur in subtropical latitudes.
B)Precipitation tends to increase with latitude toward the poles.
C)The highest average values occur along the equator.
D)High mountain ranges receive the greatest precipitation.

Question 41

Differences in which of the following factors are mainly responsible for the variety of climatic zones on a mountain?

A)rainfall amounts
B)relative humidity
C)atmospheric pressure
D)temperature

Question 42

A yearly rainfall of 350 mm in a hot climate will support only sparse vegetation. The same total amount of rain in north central Canada supports a coniferous forest. Why is this possible?

Question 43

Which of the following types of vegetation can grow in a region where the average temperature of the warmest month is above freezing, but below 10°C?

A)taiga
B)long grass
C)savanna grass
D)tundra

Question 44

According to the Köppen system of classifying climates, which of the following represents the climate of a city situated high in the mountains of the middle latitudes?

A)highland
B)tundra
C)subpolar
D)alpine

Question 45

Which of the following conditions characterizes a dry climate?

A)There is no precipitation.
B)Potential evaporation and transpiration exceed precipitation.
C)Air temperatures seldom drop below freezing, and days are always hot.
D)Winters are short and cold.

Question 46

In which of the following locations do the lowest average temperatures in the world occur?

A)Arctic
B)northwestern Europe
C)Antarctic
D)North America

Question 47

Which of the following climate types is most likely associated with savanna grass?

A)tropical monsoon (Am)
B)tropical rainforest (Af)
C)semi-arid (BS)
D)tropical wet-and-dry (Aw)

Question 48

Which of the following statements describes the primary reason for the dry summer subtropical climate in North America?

A)The ITCZ moves north in summer.
B)The Bermuda high intensifies and shifts northward in summer.
C)The Pacific high moves north in summer.
D)Storms do not form in summer.

Question 49

Which of the following explains why the West Coast of Canada is a moist environment?

A)the effect of continental air masses
B)the presence of mountains
C)Arctic outflows that bring cold air into the area
D)warm ocean currents

Question 50

In which of the following locations would you expect to find the rainiest places in the world?

A)in the middle of continents
B)downwind from mountain ranges
C)on the windward side of mountains
D)in the region of the subtropical highs

Question 51

Which of the following features is associated with the global distribution of precipitation?

A)distribution of mountain ranges and high plateaus
B)longitude
C)albedo of the land surface
D)deep water ocean circulation

Question 52

Which of the following climates characterizes the regions of the Earth's rainforests?

A)humid subtropical (Cfa)
B)tropical wet (Af)
C)tropical monsoon (Am)
D)tropical wet and dry (Aw)

Question 53

Which of the following is an accurate statement about polar climates?

A)They extend far to the south of the Arctic circle.
B)They are characterized by strong low-pressure systems.
C)They have little precipitation.
D)They are a source of cT air masses.

Question 54

Which of the following describes the climate of city that has warm summers and mild winters (where the average temperature of the coldest month is above -3°C)?

A)Mediterranean (Cs) climate
B)moist subtropical (Cfa) climate
C)tropical wet and dry (Aw) climate
D)moist continental (Dfb) climate

Question 55

Which of the following refers to the climate near Earth's surface that may be distinct from the climate in surrounding areas due to local conditions?

A)macroclimate
B)microclimate
C)mesoclimate
D)global climate

Question 56

Which of the following defines the term monsoon?

A)the short summer rainy season observed in some locations
B)a period of heavy rainfall produced by thunderstorms
C)a short dry season
D)a seasonal shift in wind circulation

Question 57

In which of the following locations is a rainshadow desert normally found?

A)in the centre of a large surface anticyclone
B)in polar regions where the air is cold and dry
C)on the back (western) side of a large thunderstorm
D)on the downwind side of a mountain range

Question 58

Which of the following factors are represented by the "P" and "E" in Thornthwaite's P/E ratio?

A)potential sunlight and energy
B)precipitation and energy (available)
C)potential sunlight and evaporation
D)precipitation and evaporation

Question 59

Which of the following does the second letter in the Köppen classification system represent?

A)characteristics of precipitation
B)average wind speeds
C)approximate latitude
D)characteristics of temperature

Question 60

According to the figure below, from which of the following directions do the prevailing winds blow?

A)north
B)east
C)west
D)south

Question 61

Why can regions with a desert climate be found next to an ocean, which is generally an abundant source of moist air?

Question 62

The hottest places on Earth are not found near the equator in tropical wet climates but rather in arid climate regions. Why?

Question 63

The greatest one-month rainfall total (9300 mm) occurred in Cherrapunji, India, in July of 1861. The greatest 24 hour rainfall total (489.2 mm) in Canada occurred at the Ucluelet Brynnor Mines, British Columbia, on October 6, 1967. What meteorological conditions do you think produced these record precipitation amounts?

Question 64

Where is the Mojave Desert located? What factors account for the Mojave Desert being found there?

Question 65

In general, is there more rainfall on the western side or the eastern side of subtropical high-pressure centres? How does this affect climatic conditions along the East and West Coast of Canada?

Question 66

What meteorological information is the primary basis for climate classification using the Köppen system?

Question 67

Describe the climate of your neighbourhood and the microclimatic variations within it.

Question 68

During the summer months strong regions of high pressure exist off Canada's East and West coasts. How do these high-pressure areas combine with the different ocean currents off the coasts to cause a summer dry season on the West Coast and plentiful rain on the East Coast?

Question 69

Compare the climate of your town with that of another location at the same latitude, but in a different continent. Explain any similarities or differences.

Question 70

Describe the differences in climate that occur in cities located upwind and downwind of a large, north-south oriented mountain range.

Question 71

Vancouver, British Columbia (latitude 49°N) has a West Coast marine climate (Cfb). Halifax, Nova Scotia (45°N) has a moist continental (Dfb) climate. What differences in climate do you expect to find between these two locations?

Question 72

Which climate type(s) are most affected by climate change? Why?

Question 73

Identify and describe the different climatic zones you would observe if you travelled from west to east across the middle of Canada.

Question 74

What differences exist between tropical wet (Af), tropical monsoon (Am), and tropical wet and dry (Aw) climates? Do you expect to observe any significant differences in types of vegetation in these different climates groups?

Question 75

Make a rough sketch of North America and indicate approximately where the following climatic types would be found:
tropical moist climates
moist subtropical climates
dry climates
moist continental climates
polar climates
highland climates
List the principal characteristics of each climate type, and describe the climatic controls that influence the location of each climatic region shown on your map.

Question 76

Discuss some of the factors that determine where the wettest places in the world are found.