Question 1

The forecasting of weather by a computer is known as ____.
A)weather type forecasting
B)climatology forecasting
C)extended weather forecasting
D)analog prediction
E)numerical weather prediction

Accepted Answer

Numerical weather prediction (NWP) uses mathematical models of the atmosphere and oceans to predict the weather based on current weather conditions. It is the primary method used in modern weather forecasting, utilizing computers to simulate the weather.

Question 2

A forecast of an extended period of dry weather would be made for a region beneath ____.
A)an upper-level trough
B)the polar jet stream
C)a cold pool of air aloft
D)an upper-level ridge
E)a shortwave trough

Accepted Answer

An upper-level ridge is associated with high pressure and subsiding air, which typically leads to clear skies and dry weather.

Question 3

A probability forecast that calls for a "40 percent chance of rain" means that ____.
A)there is a 40 percent chance that it will not rain within the forecast area
B)there is a 40 percent chance that any random place in the forecast area will receive measurable rain
C)it will rain on 40 percent of the forecast area
D)it will rain during 40 percent of the time over the forecast area
E)it will definitely rain

Accepted Answer

This statement means that there is a 40 percent chance that any given location within the forecast area will experience measurable rainfall. It does not specify the duration or the extent of the area that will be affected, just the probability of rain occurring at any point in the area.

Question 4

An accurate forecast ____.
A)always shows skill
B)may or may not show skill
C)never shows skill
D)requires complex computer equipment
E)can only be accomplished after many years of experience

Accepted Answer

An accurate forecast may or may not show skill because skill in forecasting implies the ability to consistently predict more accurately than a simple or naive model. An accurate forecast could sometimes be the result of luck or very predictable conditions, rather than the forecaster's skill.

Question 5

Meteorological cancer is when ____.
A)a meteorologist develops cancer
B)a meteorologist makes too many forecasting mistakes in his/her career
C)a meteorologist no longer has the necessary skills to make an authoritative forecast
D)a meteorologist relies too much on forecast models, without bringing his/her own knowledge and experience into the forecasting process
E)consumers no longer have confidence in a meteorologist's aptitude

Accepted Answer

Meteorological cancer refers to the over-reliance on forecast models by meteorologists, neglecting their own expertise and experience in the forecasting process.

Question 6

The ____ forecasting method assumes that weather systems will move in the same direction and at the same speed as they have been moving.
A)persistence
B)probability
C)weather type
D)climatological
E)steady-state (trend)

Accepted Answer

The steady-state (trend) forecasting method is based on the assumption that weather systems will continue to move in the same direction and at the same speed as they have been moving. This method extrapolates the current motion of weather elements into the future to predict their positions.

Question 7

A forecast method that compares past weather maps and weather patterns to those of the present is ____.
A)persistence forecasting
B)the analog method
C)the trend method
D)nowcasting
E)steady-state forecasting

Accepted Answer

The analog method involves comparing past weather maps and patterns to current ones to predict future weather, making it the correct choice.

Question 8

The most direct protection against the risk of weather-related financial downturns comes from ____.
A)linear forecasts
B)persistence forecasts
C)the analog method
D)insurance
E)futures contracts

Accepted Answer

Insurance provides direct financial protection by compensating for losses incurred due to weather-related events, thus mitigating the financial impact.

Question 9

Suppose that where you live, the middle of January is typically several degrees warmer than the rest of the month. If you forecast this "January thaw" for the middle of next January, you would have made a ____.
A)forecast based on the analog method
B)persistence forecast
C)forecast based on weather types
D)probability forecast
E)climatological forecast

Accepted Answer

A climatological forecast is based on the average weather conditions for a particular time of year, which aligns with predicting a "January thaw" based on historical patterns.

Question 10

The greatest improvement in forecasting skill during the past 30 years has been made in forecasting ____.
A)snowstorms along the eastern seaboard
B)the development of middle latitude cyclones in the Pacific Ocean
C)severe storm warnings for hurricanes and tornadoes
D)the movement of warm and cold fronts
E)maximum and minimum temperatures 6 to 10 days into the future

Accepted Answer

Advancements in technology, such as satellite and radar improvements, alongside better computer models, have significantly enhanced the accuracy of severe storm warnings for hurricanes and tornadoes over the past 30 years.

Question 11

By examining a surface map, the movement of a surface low-pressure area can be predicted because ____.
A)low-pressure areas tend to move parallel to isobars of the warm sector
B)lows tend to move toward the area with the greatest pressure
C)movement is the same as it was during the previous 24 hours
D)once a low is established it always moves toward the east at double the original speed
E)current weather in the region will remain the same

Accepted Answer

Low-pressure areas tend to move parallel to isobars (lines of equal atmospheric pressure) in the warm sector, guided by the surrounding pressure patterns and atmospheric conditions.

Question 12

Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS)measure ____.
A)wind speed and direction
B)temperature and pressure
C)cloud-base height
D)runway visibility at various airports
E)All of these are correct.

Accepted Answer

Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) are comprehensive weather monitoring systems that measure various atmospheric parameters including wind speed and direction, temperature and pressure, cloud-base height, and runway visibility at various airports, making all the listed options correct.

Question 13

A weather forecast for the immediate future that employs the trend method is called ____.
A)nowcasting
B)extrapolation
C)first-order forecasting
D)linear forecasting
E)persistence forecasting

Accepted Answer

Nowcasting is the term used for weather forecasts that predict the immediate future, typically a few hours ahead, by using the current state and recent changes in the atmosphere.

Question 14

A persistence forecast could be quite accurate when ____.
A)a frontal system approaches your location at a constant speed
B)you are positioned in the middle of a large, stationary air mass
C)the weather has been unusually cold for several days
D)upper-level winds blow straight from west to east
E)when a warm front is approaching

Accepted Answer

Persistence forecasts assume that current weather conditions will continue into the future. This is most likely to be accurate in stable conditions, such as when you are in the middle of a large, stationary air mass, where significant changes in weather are less likely to occur suddenly.

Question 15

A prog is ____.
A)a chart that interprets the current state of the atmosphere
B)an instrument that draws lines on an upper-level chart
C)a new method of forecasting the weather
D)a forecast chart that shows the atmosphere at a specified time
E)another name for a probability forecast

Accepted Answer

A prog is a forecast chart that shows the atmosphere at a specified future time, used by meteorologists to predict weather conditions.

Question 16

An analysis is a ____.
A)forecast chart that shows the atmosphere at some future time
B)forecast chart that compares past weather maps with those of the present
C)surface or upper-level chart that interprets the present weather patterns
D)forecast method used in long-range weather prediction
E)method used to determine skill in predicting the weather

Accepted Answer

An analysis in meteorology refers to a surface or upper-level chart that interprets the present weather patterns, providing a snapshot of current atmospheric conditions rather than future predictions or comparisons with past data.

Question 17

For a forecast to show skill it must ____.
A)be better than one based on persistence or climatology
B)be accurate to within 2 degrees Celsius of the predicted temperature
C)be accurate for over more than 90 percent of the forecast area
D)use the analog method of forecasting
E)use a probability

Accepted Answer

A forecast shows skill when it performs better than a simple forecast based on persistence (assuming current conditions will continue) or climatology (assuming average conditions for a location and time of year). The other options are specific methods or accuracy thresholds, not general criteria for forecast skill.

Question 18

What would be the least accurate forecast method of predicting the weather two days into the future during changeable weather conditions?
A)Trend method
B)Persistence forecast
C)Analog method
D)Prediction by weather types
E)Numerical weather prediction

Accepted Answer

Persistence forecasts assume that future weather conditions will be the same as the current conditions. This method is least accurate for predicting weather in changeable conditions, as it does not account for any changes that may occur.

Question 19

A weather forecast that predicts that the future weather will be the same as the present weather is called ____.
A)a steady-state forecast
B)the trend method
C)a persistence forecast
D)the analog method
E)an extended weather forecast

Accepted Answer

A persistence forecast is based on the assumption that the future weather condition will remain the same as the current condition. This method is particularly used for short-term forecasts.

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct statement regarding numerical weather prediction?
A)It uses physical models that paint a picture of a developing storm.
B)It uses mathematical models consisting of one equation that describes how weather conditions will change with time.
C)The models fully represent the real atmosphere.
D)The models are useful approximations.
E)The models are formulated to retain all aspects of the atmosphere's behavior.

Accepted Answer

The models are useful approximations.

Quiz 13: Weather Forecasting

The forecasting of weather by a computer is known as ____.

A forecast of an extended period of dry weather would be made for a region beneath ____.

A probability forecast that calls for a "40 percent chance of rain" means that ____.

An accurate forecast ____.

Meteorological cancer is when ____.

The ____ forecasting method assumes that weather systems will move in the same direction and at the same speed as they have been moving.

A forecast method that compares past weather maps and weather patterns to those of the present is ____.

The most direct protection against the risk of weather-related financial downturns comes from ____.

Suppose that where you live, the middle of January is typically several degrees warmer than the rest of the month. If you forecast this "January thaw" for the middle of next January, you would have made a ____.

The greatest improvement in forecasting skill during the past 30 years has been made in forecasting ____.

By examining a surface map, the movement of a surface low-pressure area can be predicted because ____.

Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) measure ____.

A weather forecast for the immediate future that employs the trend method is called ____.

A persistence forecast could be quite accurate when ____.

A prog is ____.

An analysis is a ____.

For a forecast to show skill it must ____.

What would be the least accurate forecast method of predicting the weather two days into the future during changeable weather conditions?

A weather forecast that predicts that the future weather will be the same as the present weather is called ____.

Which of the following is a correct statement regarding numerical weather prediction?