Deck 5: Weather Systems and Severe Weather

Question 1

Which of the following air masses pictured here is typically unstable, with cold air overlying warm air? The westerlies often push this cool, damp wind of this air mass eastward.

A) cT
B) cP
C) mP
D) mT

Answer 1

C

Question 2

In regard to the occlusion process, at which segment has warm air been lifted above the cooler and cold air?

A) F-E
B) D-C
C) B-A

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which of the following locations would spawn a storm track known as a "Noreaster" that is difficult to forecast and can bring heavy snow?

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

Answer 3

E

Question 4

Which of the following best explains for the Mid-latitude cyclone tracking to the northeast and strengthening?

A) upper air accelerating and converging
B) upper air slowing and diverging
C) upper air accelerating and diverging
D) surface level winds accelerating and diverging

Question 5

Find the largest front located north of the Great Lakes on the map.The likely air mass to the south of the this front is a _______ mass which is likely to be __________ than the air mass to the north.

A) mP; moister
B) cP; drier
C) cP; moister
D) mT; moister

Question 6

Which of the following locations would best represent a storm track characterized as bringing cold moist air to inland Canada?

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

Question 7

Find the largest cold front located on the map.The likely air mass to the west of the cold front is a _______ mass which is likely to be __________ than the air mass to the east.

A) mT; moister
B) mP; moister
C) cP; drier
D) cP; moister

Question 8

Which of the following segments best illustrates the end of a mid-latitude cyclones occlusion process?

A) F-E
B) D-C
C) B-A

Question 9

The cP air masses pictured here originate

A) over land masses and bring cold air during the winter.
B) over land masses and bring warm air during the summer.
C) over water and bring warm air during the summer.
D) over water and bring cold air during the winter.

Question 10

As mP air mass in the U.S.moves eastward over the northern Great Plains of the U.S.The air mass is likely going to be modified to a

A) cP air mass.
B) mT air mass.
C) cT air mass.
D) It will stay as a mP air mass.

Question 11

Which of the following locations would contribute to mid-latitude cyclogenesis?

A) where air converges and accelerates as it passes from an upper air ridge to an upper air trough
B) where air spreads out and accelerates as it passes from an upper air ridge to an upper air trough
C) where air converges and slows as it passes from an upper air trough to an upper air ridge principles
D) where air spreads out and accelerates as it passes from an upper air trough to an upper air ridge

Question 12

Which of the following air masses pictured her is dry, unstable, and hot?

A) mP
B) mT
C) cP
D) cT

Question 13

In regard to the occlusion process, at which segment is warm air in contact with the surface?

A) F-E
B) D-C
C) B-A

Question 14

In the cross section of the front pictured here

A) stratiform clouds tend to form with precipitation being relatively short-lived.
B) stratiform clouds tend to form with precipitation being of relatively long duration.
C) cumuliform clouds tend to form with precipitation being relatively short-lived.
D) cumuliform clouds tend to form with precipitation being of relatively long duration.

Question 15

Which conditions are correctly listed below in regard to the formation of lake effect snows?

A) Area A is colder than area B with an stable atmosphere.
B) Area A is warmer than area B with an unstable atmosphere.
C) Area B is colder than area A with an stable atmosphere.
D) Area B is warmer than area B with an stable atmosphere.

Question 16

Which of the following locations would contribute to mid-latitude cyclogenesis?

A) the upwind side of a mountain chain
B) along cold constant pressure surfaces
C) relatively warm water offshore from a cold land mass
D) relatively cold water offshore from a warm land mass

Question 17

Find the stationary front located in northwestern Canada.The likely air mass to the west of the stationary front is a _______ airmass which is likely to be __________ than the air mass to the east.

A) mT; warmer
B) mP; warmer
C) cP; cooler
D) cP; warmer

Question 18

In the cross section of the front pictured here

A) cumuliform clouds tend to form with precipitation being relatively short-lived.
B) cumuliform clouds tend to form with precipitation being of relatively long duration.
C) stratiform clouds tend to form with precipitation being relatively short-lived.
D) stratiform clouds tend to form with precipitation being of relatively long duration.

Question 19

When an occlusion occurs

A) the warm front overtakes the cold front and the colder air is lifted from the surface.
B) the warm front overtakes the cold front and the warmer air is lifted from the surface.
C) the cold front overtakes the warm front and the colder air is lifted from the surface.
D) the cold front overtakes the warm front and the warmer air is lifted from the surface.

Question 20

The mT air masses pictured here originate

A) over water, are stable, and bring cold air during the summer.
B) over water, are unstable, and bring warm air during the winter.
C) over land, are stable, and bring cold air during the summer.
D) over land, are unstable, and bring warm air during the winter.

Question 21

Which stage in thunderstorm formation is characterized by updrafts accompanied by downdrafts induced by falling precipitation?

A) cloud merger stage
B) cumulus stage
C) dissipating stage
D) mature stage

Question 22

Where is the difference between frontal boundaries so slight that the uplift necessary to create thunderstorms is lacking?

A) Northeast
B) Southwest
C) Pacific Northwest
D) Southeast

Question 23

The most frequent time of day for hail based on a sample of five U.S.cities is

A) 6 a.m.
B) noon.
C) 4 p.m.
D) 10 p.m.

Question 24

Thunderstorms would be most frequent

A) in January in the Northern Hemisphere over land.
B) in July in the Northern Hemisphere over oceans.
C) in January in the Southern Hemisphere over oceans.
D) in July in the Southern Hemisphere over land.

Question 25

Where in the cloud is Bergeron process going to be most vigorous?

A) less developed areas on land
B) developed areas along coasts
C) developed areas on land

Question 26

All of the following will enhance the formation of hail EXCEPT

A) great vertical development of the cloud.
B) little temperature contrast between fronts.
C) great amounts of cloud water droplets and water vapor.
D) strong updrafts and downdrafts found within the cloud.

Question 27

All of the following could enhance a single-celled thunderstorm EXCEPT

A) hot surface and an updraft dominated cloud.
B) cool surface and a downdraft dominated cloud.
C) extensive areas of cloud mergers between adjacent clouds.
D) vertical wind shear keeping precipitation separated from the uplift zone.

Question 28

Mid-latitude anticyclones are likely to form at which part of a Rossby Wave? Where

A) air diverges and accelerates.
B) air diverges and slows.
C) air converges and accelerates.
D) air converges and slows.

Question 29

Which of the following statements is true regarding U.S.hail seasonality?

A) Hail occurs later in the calendar year in northern states than southern states.
B) Hail occurs earlier in the calendar year in northern states than southern states.
C) Hail occurs most frequently in Southeastern states in January and October.
D) Hail occurs most frequently in High Plains states in January and October.

Question 30

In the anticyclone pictured here, the winds at "B" are from the _________ bringing _________ temperatures.

A) north; warmer
B) south; warmer
C) north; cooler
D) south; cooler

Question 31

Which of the following group of regions receive the most frequent thunderstorms?

A) Gulf of Mexico, central Africa, Southeast Asia
B) Great Lakes, north Africa, Japan
C) west Coast of U.S., northern Canada, Antarctica
D) west coast of South America, west coast of south Africa, southern Australia

Question 32

Migrating mid-latitude anticyclones typically

A) move easterly driven by the prevailing westerlies.
B) move westerly driven by the prevailing westerlies.
C) move easterly driven by the prevailing easterlies.
D) move westerly driven by the prevailing easterlies.

Question 33

Which of the following represents the correct charge sequence to create lightning?

A) A-negative, B-positive, C- negative
B) A-positive, B-negative, C- positive
C) A-positive, B-negative, C- negative
D) A- negative, B-negative, C-positive

Question 34

Which of the following is likely to strengthen a supercell thunderstorm?

A) evaporational cooling associated with downdrafts cooling updrafts
B) extensive blasts of thunder causing increased latent heat release
C) dry line with air masses of similar moisture content
D) tightening of updraft rotationfound in the mesocyclone

Question 35

The best evidence of vertical wind shear in this development of a multi-cell thunderstorm is at

A) cumulus stage.
B) cloud merger stage.
C) dissipating stage.
D) mature stage.

Question 36

Annual U.S.hail frequency is greatest

A) in Southeastern states like North and South Carolina.
B) in Pacific Northwest states like Washington and Oregon.
C) in northern High Plains states like North and South Dakota.
D) in southern High Plains states like Oklahoma and Kansas.

Question 37

In the anticyclone pictured here, the winds at "A" are from the _________ bringing _________ temperatures.

A) north; warmer
B) south; warmer
C) north; cooler
D) south; cooler

Question 38

For the U.S.as a whole, thunderstorm activity is most intense in

A) September.
B) July.
C) April.
D) March.

Question 39

The formation of a mid-latitude anticyclone is favored

A) on the eastern side of an upper-level trough.
B) on the western side of an upper-level ridge.
C) on the eastern side of an upper-level ridge.
D) on either the eastern or western side of a trough.

Question 40

Which state, as a whole, experiences the highest frequency of thunderstorms in the U.S.?

A) Michigan
B) South Carolina
C) Louisiana
D) Florida

Question 41

A tornado blows walls from homes.The likely EF categorization of the tornado producing this damage is

A) EF1.
B) EF2.
C) EF3.
D) EF4.

Question 42

One of the reasons why tornado frequency is lower in Europe than in North America is

A) the Gulf Stream encourages the clash or warm and cold air.
B) east west trending mountains inhibit the clash of warm and cold air.
C) lower population densities and storm reporting capabilities.
D) higher than normal temperatures due to the presence of the Gulf Stream.

Question 43

All of the following are conducive to the formation of tornadoes EXCEPT

A) vertical wind shear.
B) internal rotation and updrafts.
C) mountains and other topographic barriers.
D) tightening internal rotation.

Question 44

During the summer which of the following regions would experience the greatest number of tornadoes?

A) northern Great Plains
B) Florida
C) Gulf coast
D) southern Great Plains

Question 45

The most likely time for a tornado during the day is at

A) 6 a.m.
B) noon when the sun is highest in the sky.
C) 6 p.m.
D) midnight when temperatures are coolest.

Question 46

Which sequence best describe thunder formation?

A) cooling, expansion, air filling the vacuum
B) heating, contraction, air filling the vacuum
C) heating, expansion, air filling the vacuum
D) cooling, contraction, air filling the vacuum

Question 47

Microbursts

A) are never accompanied by rain, and are only associated with dust storms.
B) occur in the early stage of thunderstorms when latent heat release is maximized.
C) normally display a "starburst" (radial)damage pattern from rotating winds.
D) are characterized by strong updrafts that can cause airplanes to crash.

Question 48

The weather system most likely to produce the strongest tornadoes is generally associated with

A) cold fronts.
B) warm fronts.
C) hurricanes.
D) single-cell thunderstorms.

Question 49

Haboobs

A) occur where upper level wind patterns encourage rising motion.
B) normally display a "starburst" (radial)damage pattern from rotating winds.
C) are associated with waterspouts, usually created during the early phase of a thunderstorm.
D) are associated with dust storms, usually created during the dying phase of a thunderstorm.

Question 50

Where will the storm surge be greatest for this cyclone or hurricane making land fall in Louisiana?

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

Question 51

The frequency of reported tornadoes would be favored by all the conditions EXCEPT

A) proximity to a supply of warm moist air.
B) upper level wind shear.
C) sophisticated detection ability.
D) north south mountain chains.

Question 52

One of the ways to stay safe from the danger of lightning is to know who far away the approaching storm is.If you see a flash of lightning and then hear thunder approximately 15 seconds later, the lightning is

A) right on top of your location.
B) a mile of your location.
C) three miles of your location.
D) fifteen miles of your location.

Question 53

Fair-weather waterspouts generally

A) form from normal cumulus clouds.
B) are the strongest type of waterspout.
C) are associated with tornadoes.
D) form from thunderclouds.

Question 54

Strong updrafts and internal rotation are necessary to spawn tornadoes.Which location is most likely to have a tornado on the ground?

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

Question 55

If a storm can survive the west side of an easterly wave, there is a chance it can intensify into a hurricane.Which of the following is correct regarding an easterly wave?

A) the west side of the wave has rising, stable air
B) the west side of the wave has descending, unstable air
C) the east side of the wave has rising, unstable air
D) the east side of the wave has descending, stable air

Question 56

Each of the following is a wise strategy when lightning is sited EXCEPT

A) lying down outdoors to minimize ground contact.
B) seeking an automobile to wait out the storm.
C) avoiding touching or standing near tall metal objects.
D) staying away from windows or doors in the house.

Question 57

Which state would be the safest if you wanted to avoid death by lightning?

A) Maine
B) Washington
C) Wyoming
D) Florida

Question 58

Which of the following regions has the lowest annual frequency of tornadoes?

A) Florida
B) north Texas to the Dakotas
C) Gulf Coast
D) Northeast coast

Question 59

The origin of dust devils would be most similar to

A) tornadoes.
B) haboobs.
C) microbursts.
D) virga.

Question 60

Derechos are

A) strong updrafts that can cause airplanes to crash.
B) strong downdrafts often creating ominous looking shelf clouds.
C) concentrated on the Gulf Coast, particularly Florida.
D) normally display a "starburst" (radial)damage pattern from rotating winds.

Question 61

Most Atlantic tropical cyclones have their origin in

A) the Caribbean.
B) northwest Africa.
C) the Gulf of Mexico.
D) the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Question 62

Which of the following types of damage from tropical cyclones originates farthest from the coast?

A) flooding by rain swollen inland streams
B) storm surges that raise sea level
C) high winds eroding local beaches
D) burial of neighborhoods by sand

Question 63

Which of the following sources of data for weather forecasts are provided at the most intermittent intervals?

A) satellite data
B) radar
C) airborne instruments
D) marine data

Question 64

A tropical cyclone will be strengthened by

A) entrainment of dry air.
B) a path over cool water.
C) a path over warm water.
D) decreased release of latent heat.

Question 65

Which weather model would provide the best accuracy/precision but the greatest cost in terms of computer time?

A) finer spatial resolution, shorter time steps
B) finer spatial resolution, longer time steps
C) larger spatial resolution, longer time steps
D) larger spatial resolution, shorter time steps

Question 66

When contrasting a weather warning, with a weather watch, the warning is usually designated for a _____________ area and means you should ________________

A) smaller area; be aware that conditions are favorable for severe weather.
B) larger area; be aware that conditions are favorable for severe weather.
C) larger area; seek shelter immediately.
D) smaller area; seek shelter immediately.

Question 67

A tropical cyclone will be weakened by

A) entrainment of moist air.
B) decreased wind shear.
C) decreased friction.
D) when it makes land fall.

Question 68

A tropical cyclone in the southern hemisphere rotates ____________and has a storm track turning ________________

A) clockwise, south and southwest
B) clockwise, south and southwest
C) clockwise, north and northwest
D) counterclockwise, north and northwest

Question 69

Which phenomena involves the most equations in weather forecasting models?

A) changes in incoming energy
B) atmospheric moisture
C) density changes
D) atmospheric motion

Question 70

All of the following is true regarding Doppler radar EXCEPT

A) mountains can shield areas from coverage.
B) false echoes can occur from moving objects like birds.
C) complete coverage in large urban areas with skyscrapers.
D) false echoes can occur from stationary objects like skyscrapers.

Question 71

A tropical cyclone in the northern hemisphere rotates __________ and has a storm track turning ____________

A) clockwise; south and southeast.
B) counterclockwise; south and southeast.
C) clockwise; north and northeast.
D) counterclockwise; north and northeast.

Question 72

Which of the following is true concerning the Saffir-Simpson scale EXCEPT:

A) Category 3-5 storms are considered "major" hurricanes
B) Hurricane Katrina was a category 5 hurricane
C) a tropical storm becomes a hurricane when winds exceed 119 km/hr (74 mi/hr)
D) a category 5 hurricane produces more than five times the damage of a category 1 hurricane

Question 73

Doppler radar detects motion within a super-cell thunderstorm using the Doppler effect which states that objects

A) Immobile objects will result in an increase in wavelength.
B) moving away from the transmitter will result in an increase in wavelength.
C) moving toward the transmitter will result in an increase in wavelength.
D) moving away from the transmitter will result in an decrease in wavelength.