Question 1

The type of weather system known as a "mid-latitude cyclone" cannot form over the tropical ocean because:
A)surface temperature contrasts are not large.
B)the ocean surface has a lot of waves.
C)the Coriolis force is weak in the tropics.
D)both (a)and (b)
E)both (a)and (c)

Accepted Answer

Mid-latitude cyclones form due to the presence of strong temperature contrasts and the Coriolis force, which is the result of the Earth's rotation. In the tropics, surface temperature contrasts are not large enough to create the necessary conditions for mid-latitude cyclones to form, and the Coriolis force is weaker closer to the equator. The presence of waves on the ocean surface would not prevent mid-latitude cyclones from forming.

Question 2

When an upper-level low lies directly above a surface low:
A)the surface low will probably weaken.
B)thunderstorms will develop.
C)a wave cyclone will begin to form.
D)the pressure of the surface low will decrease.
E)cyclogenesis will occur.

Accepted Answer

When an upper-level low lies directly above a surface low, the surface low will probably weaken because the vertical alignment enhances the divergence aloft, which can lead to a decrease in surface convergence and thus a weakening of the surface low.

Question 3

Atmospheric shortwaves usually move __________ at a speed that is __________ than longwaves.
A)east to west,faster
B)west to east,faster
C)east to west,slower
D)west to east,slower

Accepted Answer

Atmospheric shortwaves usually move from west to east at a speed that is faster than longwaves. Shortwaves are smaller-scale disturbances in the atmosphere, and they typically travel at a speed of about 30 to 60 mph. Longwaves, on the other hand, are larger-scale disturbances and typically move more slowly, at a speed of about 10 to 20 mph. Therefore, the correct answer is B - west to east, faster.

Question 4

For a surface storm system to intensify,the upper-level low (or trough)should be located to the __________ of the surface low.
A)north
B)south
C)east
D)west

Accepted Answer

For a surface storm system to intensify, the upper-level low (or trough) should be located to the west of the surface low. This is because the counterclockwise circulation of the surface low will be enhanced by the divergence of air aloft in the right entrance region of the jet stream, which is typically located to the east of the upper-level low. The closer the upper-level low is to the surface low, the greater the enhancement of the surface low's circulation, resulting in stronger winds and more intense precipitation.

Question 5

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)none of the above

Accepted Answer

Strong storms that develop over water, poleward of the polar front, are called polar lows. Nor'easters are storms that develop along the east coast of North America. Upslope lows are storms that form when moist air is forced up a mountain slope, and lee-side lows form on the lee side of a mountain range.

Question 6

On a surface weather map that shows an open wave cyclone,the warm sector can be observed:
A)ahead of an advancing cold front.
B)behind an advancing cold front.
C)ahead of an advancing cold-occluded front.
D)behind an advancing cold-occluded front.
E)ahead of an advancing warm front.

Accepted Answer

The answer of On a surface weather map that shows...

Question 7

For cyclogenesis to occur along a frontal wave,the winds aloft directly above the wave should be:
A)diverging.
B)converging.
C)blowing straight from west to east.
D)increasing in speed uniformly over a broad area.

Accepted Answer

Diverging winds aloft directly above a frontal wave encourage air from below to rise and fill the low-pressure area created by the divergence, facilitating cyclogenesis.

Question 8

Like hurricanes,__________ have a clear area in their center.
A)polar lows
B)cut-off lows
C)conveyer belts
D)wrap-around bands

Accepted Answer

Polar lows, like hurricanes, have a clear area in their center, known as an eye. Cut-off lows, conveyor belts, and wrap-around bands do not have this feature.

Question 9

According to the model of the life cycle of a wave cyclone,the storm system is normally most intense:
A)as a frontal wave.
B)as a stable wave.
C)as an open wave.
D)as a stationary wave.
E)when the system first becomes occluded.

Accepted Answer

According to the life cycle model, the storm system reaches its maximum intensity when it first becomes occluded. This occurs when the cold front catches up to and overtakes the warm front, lifting the warm air and creating instability. The occluded front acts as a barrier that separates the warm and cold air masses, leading to the intensification of the system.

Question 10

Cyclogenesis is the __________ of a mid-latitude cyclone.
A)development or strengthening
B)weakening or dissipation
C)term for the exact midpoint
D)none of the above

Accepted Answer

Cyclogenesis refers to the process of development or strengthening of a mid-latitude cyclone.

Question 11

An upper-level pool of cold air that has broken away from the main flow is called:
A)a cut-off low.
B)a shortwave.
C)a wave cyclone.
D)a lee-side low.

Accepted Answer

A cut-off low is an upper-level low-pressure system that has become separated or cut off from the main flow of the jet stream. It can lead to cooler temperatures and stormy weather in the area it affects.

Question 12

Which region is not considered to be a region where cyclogenesis often occurs:
A)eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
B)Atlantic Ocean near Cape Hatteras,North Carolina.
C)California.
D)the Great Basin of the United States.
E)Gulf of Mexico.

Accepted Answer

California is not considered to be a region where cyclogenesis often occurs. Cyclogenesis is the development or intensification of a low-pressure system or cyclone. The other options all have geographical locations that are known for frequent cyclogenesis.

Question 13

Which of the following is not associated with rising air motions?
A)overrunning
B)convergence of air at the surface
C)convergence of air aloft
D)divergence of air aloft

Accepted Answer

Convergence of air aloft typically leads to sinking air rather than rising air, as it increases atmospheric pressure at higher altitudes, pushing air downwards.

Question 14

Northeasters (or nor'easters)are midlatitude storms commonly found:
A)along the Pacific coast of North America.
B)along the Atlantic coast of North America.
C)along the Gulf coast of North America.
D)both a and b

Accepted Answer

Nor'easters are named for the northeasterly winds that blow in from the ocean and are most common along the Atlantic coast of North America, especially in the winter months. They can cause significant snowfall, high winds, and coastal flooding in affected areas.

Question 15

If the flow of air into a surface low pressure area is greater than the divergence of air aloft,the surface pressure in the center of the low will:
A)increase.
B)decrease.
C)remain the same.
D)deepen.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the flow of air into a...

Question 16

In the polar front theory of a developing wave cyclone,energy for the storm is usually derived from all but one of the following:
A)rising of warm air and the sinking of cold air
B)latent heat of condensation
C)an increase in surface winds
D)heat energy stored in the ground

Accepted Answer

Heat energy stored in the ground is not typically a significant source of energy for a developing wave cyclone. The other options (rising of warm air and sinking of cold air, latent heat of condensation, and an increase in surface winds) are all typical sources of energy for a developing storm in the polar front theory.

Question 17

When a deep upper-level trough is located to the east of a surface anticyclone,the surface anticyclone will tend to move toward the:
A)northwest.
B)northeast.
C)southwest.
D)southeast.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

When upper-level divergence of air above a surface low pressure area is stronger than the convergence of surface air,the surface pressure will __________ and the storm itself will __________.
A)increase,intensify
B)increase,dissipate
C)decrease,intensify
D)decrease,dissipate

Accepted Answer

When upper-level divergence of air is stronger than the convergence of surface air, it effectively removes more air mass from above the surface low pressure area than is being added by surface convergence. This leads to a decrease in surface pressure because less air mass above the area means lower pressure. The storm intensifies because lower pressure enhances the storm's ability to draw in more air and moisture, fueling its strength.

Question 19

If the outflow of air around a surface high pressure area is greater than the convergence of air aloft,you would observe:
A)in increase in pressure in the center of the high.
B)movement of the high toward the northeast.
C)a decrease in the central pressure.
D)strengthening in the high.

Accepted Answer

When the outflow of air around a surface high pressure area is greater than the convergence of air aloft, it leads to a decrease in the central pressure because more air is leaving the area than is being replaced from above.

Question 20

Developing low pressure areas generally have __________ air near the surface and __________ air aloft.
A)converging,diverging
B)diverging,converging
C)converging,converging
D)diverging,diverging

Accepted Answer

Developing low pressure areas are characterized by air converging near the surface, which forces air upwards, leading to divergence aloft as the air spreads out.

Quiz 10: Mid-Latitude Cyclonic Storms

The type of weather system known as a "mid-latitude cyclone" cannot form over the tropical ocean because:

When an upper-level low lies directly above a surface low:

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

For a surface storm system to intensify,the upper-level low (or trough) should be located to the __________ of the surface low.

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

On a surface weather map that shows an open wave cyclone,the warm sector can be observed:

For cyclogenesis to occur along a frontal wave,the winds aloft directly above the wave should be:

Like hurricanes,__________ have a clear area in their center.

According to the model of the life cycle of a wave cyclone,the storm system is normally most intense:

Cyclogenesis is the __________ of a mid-latitude cyclone.

An upper-level pool of cold air that has broken away from the main flow is called:

Which region is not considered to be a region where cyclogenesis often occurs:

Which of the following is not associated with rising air motions?

Northeasters (or nor'easters) are midlatitude storms commonly found:

If the flow of air into a surface low pressure area is greater than the divergence of air aloft,the surface pressure in the center of the low will:

In the polar front theory of a developing wave cyclone,energy for the storm is usually derived from all but one of the following:

When a deep upper-level trough is located to the east of a surface anticyclone,the surface anticyclone will tend to move toward the:

When upper-level divergence of air above a surface low pressure area is stronger than the convergence of surface air,the surface pressure will and the storm itself will .

If the outflow of air around a surface high pressure area is greater than the convergence of air aloft,you would observe:

Developing low pressure areas generally have air near the surface and air aloft.