Question 1

An upper-level trough that shows retrograde motion would be moving toward the ____.
A)west
B)east
C)north
D)south
E)northeast

Accepted Answer

Retrograde motion in meteorology refers to the movement of weather systems in a direction opposite to the typical flow. In the Northern Hemisphere, where weather systems generally move from west to east, retrograde motion would mean the system is moving toward the west.

Question 2

The ____ type of clouds indicate that a storm is still developing and intensifying.
A)cumulus
B)stratus
C)period
D)semicolon
E)comma

Accepted Answer

The answer of The ____ type of clouds indicate that...

Question 3

Rossby waves are also known as ____.
A)stable waves
B)shortwaves
C)tidal waves
D)longwaves
E)macrowaves

Accepted Answer

Rossby waves are also known as longwaves. They are large-scale atmospheric waves that are driven by the planet's rotation and the distribution of temperature and pressure across the globe. These waves play a significant role in determining weather patterns, particularly in the mid-latitudes.

Question 4

On an upper-level chart where the isotherms cross the isobars (or contours)and temperature advection occurs, the atmosphere is called ____.
A)barotropic
B)geostrophic
C)hydrostatic
D)baroclinic
E)barometric

Accepted Answer

When isotherms cross isobars (or contours) and temperature advection occurs, the atmosphere is described as baroclinic. This indicates a state where temperature and pressure gradients do not align, leading to a more complex and often unstable atmospheric situation.

Question 5

Atmospheric shortwaves usually move ____ at a speed that is ____ than longwaves.
A)east to west; faster
B)west to east; faster
C)north to south; slower
D)west to east; slower
E)south to north; slower

Accepted Answer

Atmospheric shortwaves typically move from west to east and do so at a speed that is faster than longwaves. This is due to the general circulation patterns and jet stream dynamics in the atmosphere.

Question 6

A ____ disturbance imbedded in a longwave is called a shortwave.
A)small, stationary
B)large, stationary
C)small, moving
D)large, moving
E)None of these are correct.

Accepted Answer

A shortwave is a type of disturbance within a larger weather pattern, specifically a longwave, that is characterized by its smaller size and its movement. This movement is what differentiates it from being stationary and contributes to weather changes.

Question 7

Sometimes, an upper-level pool of cold air that has broken away from the main flow lies almost directly above the surface low. Occasionally the upper low will break away entirely from the main flow, producing a ____.
A)jet streak
B)shear low
C)cut-off low
D)bent-back occlusion
E)polar jet stream

Accepted Answer

A cut-off low is a term used to describe an upper-level pool of cold air that has become completely separated from the main flow of the jet stream, often lying above a surface low. This phenomenon occurs when the upper low breaks away entirely from the main flow, leading to a distinct and isolated weather system.

Question 8

Since the Northern Hemisphere's polar jet stream is strongest and moves farther south in ____, we can see why mid-latitude cyclonic storms are better developed and move more quickly during the ____ months.
A)spring; wetter
B)summer; warmer
C)fall; windier
D)winter; colder
E)spring and fall; wet and windy

Accepted Answer

The Northern Hemisphere's polar jet stream is strongest and moves farther south in winter, which explains why mid-latitude cyclonic storms are better developed and move more quickly during the colder months.

Question 9

Vorticity refers to the ____.
A)rising and sinking of air along weather fronts
B)formation of clouds
C)spin of air parcels
D)changing of the seasons
E)development of a wave cyclone

Accepted Answer

Vorticity is a measure of the rotation of air parcels in the atmosphere, indicating the tendency of fluid elements to spin.

Question 10

Divergence and convergence of air are due to changes in ____.
A)cloud pattern
B)solar radiation
C)radiational cooling
D)precipitation type
E)wind speed or wind direction

Accepted Answer

Divergence and convergence of air are primarily due to changes in wind speed or wind direction, which can lead to the accumulation or dispersion of air masses.

Question 11

Strong storms that develop over water, poleward of the polar front, are called ____.
A)nor'easters
B)upslope lows
C)lee-side lows
D)polar lows
E)tropical lows

Accepted Answer

Polar lows are intense, small-scale low-pressure systems that form over cold ocean waters in the polar regions, typically poleward of the main polar front. They are often referred to as "arctic hurricanes" due to their appearance and can bring strong winds and heavy snow.

Question 12

The entrance region occurs ____ of a jet streak, while the exit region occurs ____ of the jet streak.
A)downwind; upwind
B)upwind; downwind
C)ahead; above
D)downwind; above
E)above; below

Accepted Answer

The entrance region of a jet streak occurs upwind, where the air is flowing into the jet streak, and the exit region occurs downwind, where the air is flowing out of the jet streak.

Question 13

Lee-side lows are ____.
A)storms (extratropical cyclones)that form on the eastern (lee)side of a mountain range
B)thermal lows that form due to surface heating over deserts
C)storms (tropical cyclones)that form near the Leeward Islands
D)low pressure areas that form over oceans, then move onshore of the lee side of the coastline
E)storms that form on the lee side of lakes

Accepted Answer

Lee-side lows, also known as lee cyclogenesis, refer to the formation of extratropical cyclones on the downwind (lee) side of a mountain range, where the topography induces a decrease in surface pressure, often leading to storm development.

Question 14

The planetary vorticity of an air parcel moving from low toward high latitude in the Northern Hemisphere will ____.
A)increase
B)decrease
C)remain constant
D)change from positive to negative
E)change from negative to positive

Accepted Answer

Planetary vorticity increases with latitude due to the Coriolis effect, which strengthens as one moves from the equator towards the poles.

Question 15

The development of a mid-latitude cyclone, according to the Norwegian model, begins along the ____.
A)conveyor belt
B)wave cyclone
C)cyclone
D)incipient cyclone
E)anticyclone

Accepted Answer

The answer of The development of a mid-latitude cyclone, according...

Question 16

Atmospheric shortwaves usually move ____ longwaves, and ____ when they move through a longwave ridge.
A)faster than; weaken
B)faster than; strengthen
C)slower than; weaken
D)slower than; strengthen
E)at the same speed as; weaken

Accepted Answer

Atmospheric shortwaves typically move faster than longwaves because they are smaller-scale features. When shortwaves move through a longwave ridge, they tend to weaken due to the subsidence and stability associated with the ridge.

Question 17

In a mid-latitude cyclone, the warm sector is located ____.
A)behind the warm front
B)between the cold and warm fronts
C)below the occluded front and above the cold front
D)ahead of a stationary front
E)above the occluded front and below the cold front

Accepted Answer

The warm sector in a mid-latitude cyclone is the area between the cold front and the warm front, where warm air is found.

Question 18

Which statement about vorticity is least accurate?
A)Earth's vorticity in the Northern Hemisphere is positive.
B)Earth's vorticity is zero at the poles.
C)Air that spins cyclonically possesses positive vorticity.
D)Absolute vorticity is the sum of Earth's vorticity and the relative vorticity.
E)Vorticity is the measure of the spin of small air parcels.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which statement about vorticity is least accurate?
A)Earth's...

Question 19

If we assume that the absolute vorticity of flowing air is conserved, air moving northeastward will bend ____ to compensate for the ____ in Earth's vorticity.
A)anticyclonically; decrease
B)anticyclonically; increase
C)cyclonically; increase
D)cyclonically; decrease
E)cyclonically; lack of change

Accepted Answer

The answer of If we assume that the absolute vorticity...

Question 20

Longwaves often ____, or even move ____.
A)remain stationary; retrograde
B)move quickly; retrograde
C)remain stationary; south
D)move quickly; south
E)move quickly; north

Accepted Answer

Longwaves in the atmosphere can often remain stationary or even move retrograde, meaning they move westward contrary to the general eastward flow of weather systems in the mid-latitudes.

Quiz 12: Middle-Latitude Cyclones

An upper-level trough that shows retrograde motion would be moving toward the ____.

The ____ type of clouds indicate that a storm is still developing and intensifying.

Rossby waves are also known as ____.

On an upper-level chart where the isotherms cross the isobars (or contours) and temperature advection occurs, the atmosphere is called ____.

Atmospheric shortwaves usually move at a speed that is than longwaves.

A ____ disturbance imbedded in a longwave is called a shortwave.

Sometimes, an upper-level pool of cold air that has broken away from the main flow lies almost directly above the surface low. Occasionally the upper low will break away entirely from the main flow, producing a ____.

Since the Northern Hemisphere's polar jet stream is strongest and moves farther south in , we can see why mid-latitude cyclonic storms are better developed and move more quickly during the months.

Vorticity refers to the ____.

Divergence and convergence of air are due to changes in ____.

Strong storms that develop over water, poleward of the polar front, are called ____.

The entrance region occurs of a jet streak, while the exit region occurs of the jet streak.

Lee-side lows are ____.

The planetary vorticity of an air parcel moving from low toward high latitude in the Northern Hemisphere will ____.

The development of a mid-latitude cyclone, according to the Norwegian model, begins along the ____.

Atmospheric shortwaves usually move longwaves, and when they move through a longwave ridge.

In a mid-latitude cyclone, the warm sector is located ____.

Which statement about vorticity is least accurate?

If we assume that the absolute vorticity of flowing air is conserved, air moving northeastward will bend to compensate for the in Earth's vorticity.

Longwaves often , or even move .