Question 1

Which of the following is an accurate statement about polar lows?
A)They are smaller than middle-latitude cyclones and typically form in winter.
B)They are smaller than middle-latitude cyclones and typically form in summer.
C)They are larger than middle-latitude cyclones and typically form in winter.
D)They are larger than middle-latitude cyclones and typically form in summer.

Accepted Answer

Polar lows are smaller than middle-latitude cyclones, typically measuring only a few hundred kilometers in diameter compared to the thousands of kilometers of a typical cyclone. They are also associated with cold air masses and strong temperature gradients, making winter the most favorable season for their formation.

Question 2

Which of the following scientists was one of the meteorologists who helped develop the polar-front theory of a developing wave cyclone?
A)Rossby
B)Bjerknes
C)Thornthwaite
D)McSorley

Accepted Answer

The polar-front theory of a developing wave cyclone was developed by a team of meteorologists led by Norwegian scientist Vilhelm Bjerknes. Bjerknes was one of the pioneers of modern meteorology and made significant contributions to the understanding of weather systems.

Question 3

Nor'easters are middle-latitude storms. In which of the following regions are they commonly found?
A)along the Pacific coast of North America
B)along the Atlantic coast of Europe
C)along the Atlantic coast of North America
D)along the Gulf coast of North America

Accepted Answer

Nor'easters are commonly found along the Atlantic coast of North America, particularly in the northeastern region of the United States. They are often associated with winter weather and can bring heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding to areas such as New England and the Mid-Atlantic.

Question 4

In which of the following orders of measurement are the lengths of longwaves in the middle and upper troposphere usually described?
A)tens of km
B)hundreds of km
C)thousands of km
D)millions of km

Accepted Answer

Longwaves in the middle and upper troposphere are typically described in terms of thousands of kilometers, as they represent large-scale atmospheric waves.

Question 5

Which of the following is another name given to a middle-latitude cyclone?
A)extratropical cyclone
B)frontal cyclone
C)anticyclone
D)deep cyclone

Accepted Answer

A middle-latitude cyclone is also known as an extratropical cyclone because it forms outside of the tropics, typically between 30-60 degrees latitude. It is not known as a frontal cyclone, anticyclone, or deep cyclone.

Question 6

Which of the following statements describes the usual speed and strength of atmospheric shortwaves?
A)They are slower than longwaves and weaken when they move through a longwave ridge.
B)They are faster than longwaves and weaken when they move through a longwave ridge.
C)They are faster than longwaves and strengthen when they move through a longwave ridge.
D)They are slower than longwaves and strengthen when they move through a longwave ridge.

Accepted Answer

Atmospheric shortwaves are faster than longwaves, but they also weaken when they move through a longwave ridge. This is because the longwave ridge tends to disrupt the shortwave, causing it to lose energy and weaken.

Question 7

Which of the following is another name for Rossby waves?
A)shortwaves
B)stable waves
C)tidal waves
D)longwaves

Accepted Answer

Rossby waves are also known as longwaves, as they have long wavelengths compared to other atmospheric waves.

Question 8

Which of the following describes the warm conveyor belt?
A)It is very dry.
B)It has few clouds associated with it.
C)It contains stratospheric ozone.
D)It rises above the warm front.

Accepted Answer

The warm conveyor belt is a rising and moist air mass that moves over the warm front. It is important for cloud formation and precipitation in mid-latitude cyclones.

Question 9

Which of the following processes occurs when an anticyclone develops?
A)The anticyclone is causing a middle-latitude storm to form.
B)Separate anticyclones are merging.
C)The anticyclone is moving toward the east coast.
D)The central pressure is increasing.

Accepted Answer

When an anticyclone develops, the central pressure is increasing. This is because an anticyclone is an area of high pressure, which means the air is sinking and moving outward, causing the pressure to increase. The other choices do not accurately describe the process of anticyclone development.

Question 10

Which of the following is a characteristic that polar lows share with hurricanes?
A)temperature uniformly warm
B)weak Coriolis force
C)clear area in their centres
D)cloudy areas in their centres

Accepted Answer

Both polar lows and hurricanes can have a clear area in their centers, known as the eye, where the weather is relatively calm.

Question 11

Which of the following defines the term vorticity?
A)the formation of clouds
B)the spin of air parcels
C)the rising and sinking of air along weather fronts
D)the development of a wave cyclone

Accepted Answer

Vorticity refers to the measure of a fluid's or air parcel's rotation, specifically its spin. It plays a critical role in the development and evolution of weather patterns and atmospheric phenomena.

Question 12

Which of the following describes the location where a lee-side low forms?
A)near the poles
B)near the equator
C)on the downwind side of a mountain
D)on the upwind side of a mountain

Accepted Answer

A lee-side low forms on the downwind side of a mountain where air is forced to rise and cool, leading to the formation of clouds and precipitation. This is also known as an orographic low or a mountain low.

Question 13

Which of the following terms refers to a small, moving disturbance embedded in a longwave?
A)wave cyclone
B)lee-side low
C)frontal wave
D)shortwave

Accepted Answer

A shortwave refers to a small, moving disturbance embedded in a longwave.

Question 14

Which of the following defines a comma cloud?
A)a high wispy cirrus cloud that takes on the shape of a comma
B)an organized band of clouds that looks like a comma on a satellite photograph
C)the spiraling arms of a hurricane
D)a large cumulonimbus cloud whose anvil is in the shape of a comma

Accepted Answer

A comma cloud is an organized band of clouds that looks like a comma on a satellite photograph.

Question 15

When a deep upper-level trough is located to the east of a surface anticyclone, in which of the following directions will the surface anticyclone tend to move?
A)northwest
B)southwest
C)northeast
D)southeast

Accepted Answer

The answer of When a deep upper-level trough is located...

Question 16

Which of the following terms refers to a strong storm that develops over water, poleward of the polar front?
A)nor'easter
B)upslope low
C)lee-side low
D)polar low

Accepted Answer

A polar low is a strong storm system that develops over water, poleward of the polar front. It is characterized by a cyclonic circulation and a steep pressure gradient. Nor'easters, upslope lows, and lee-side lows are all types of storm systems, but they do not develop specifically over water poleward of the polar front.

Question 17

Which of the following terms is true about middle-latitude cyclones in North America?
A)They travel from east to west.
B)They are less intense in the winter months.
C)They travel from south to north.
D)Their storm tracks shift to the south in winter, and to the north in summer.

Accepted Answer

Middle-latitude cyclones in North America typically move from west to east, but their storm tracks can shift north or south depending on the season. In winter, the storm tracks tend to shift southward and in summer they tend to shift northward. Therefore, choice D is the correct option.

Question 18

Hurricane Hazel is an example of a storm that had undergone which of the following?
A)tropical conversion
B)extratropical transition
C)teleconnection
D)middle-latitude transformation

Accepted Answer

Hurricane Hazel underwent an extratropical transition as it moved northward and merged with a frontal system, leading to a change in its structure and characteristics.

Question 19

For cyclogenesis to occur along a frontal wave, which of the following conditions must be exhibited by the winds directly aloft of the wave?
A)convergence
B)direct movement from west to east
C)divergence
D)uniform increase in speed over a broad area

Accepted Answer

Cyclogenesis along a frontal wave requires the presence of upper-level divergence, which would be exhibited by the winds directly aloft of the wave. Convergence (choice A) would not lead to cyclogenesis, while direct movement from west to east (choice B) and uniform increase in speed over a broad area (choice D) are not necessarily indicative of the necessary conditions for cyclogenesis.

Question 20

Which of the following statements describes the usual direction and speed of atmospheric shortwaves?
A)They move west to east, and are faster than longwaves.
B)They move east to west, and are slower than longwaves.
C)They move east to west and are faster than longwaves.
D)They move west to east, and are slower than longwaves.

Accepted Answer

Atmospheric shortwaves typically move west to east and are faster than longwaves.

Quiz 12: Middle-Latitude Cyclones

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

Which of the following scientists was one of the meteorologists who helped develop the polar-front theory of a developing wave cyclone?

Nor'easters are middle-latitude storms. In which of the following regions are they commonly found?

In which of the following orders of measurement are the lengths of longwaves in the middle and upper troposphere usually described?

Which of the following is another name given to a middle-latitude cyclone?

Which of the following statements describes the usual speed and strength of atmospheric shortwaves?

Which of the following is another name for Rossby waves?

Which of the following describes the warm conveyor belt?

Which of the following processes occurs when an anticyclone develops?

Which of the following is a characteristic that polar lows share with hurricanes?

Which of the following defines the term vorticity?

Which of the following describes the location where a lee-side low forms?

Which of the following terms refers to a small, moving disturbance embedded in a longwave?

Which of the following defines a comma cloud?

When a deep upper-level trough is located to the east of a surface anticyclone, in which of the following directions will the surface anticyclone tend to move?

Which of the following terms refers to a strong storm that develops over water, poleward of the polar front?

Which of the following terms is true about middle-latitude cyclones in North America?

Hurricane Hazel is an example of a storm that had undergone which of the following?

For cyclogenesis to occur along a frontal wave, which of the following conditions must be exhibited by the winds directly aloft of the wave?

Which of the following statements describes the usual direction and speed of atmospheric shortwaves?