Question 1

Suppose the eye of a hurricane passed directly above you, and you survived the experience. If winds were from the northeast as the eyewall first approached you, from what direction did the winds blow when the eyewall reached you the second time?
A)southeast
B)southwest
C)northeast
D)northwest

Accepted Answer

In the Northern Hemisphere, hurricanes rotate counterclockwise. If the winds were from the northeast as the eyewall first approached, they would come from the southwest when the eyewall reached you the second time, after the eye of the hurricane passed over.

Question 2

Which of the following was the most destructive hurricane ever to hit Atlantic Canada, in the past century?
A)Hurricane Juan
B)Hurricane Ivan
C)Hurricane Wilma
D)Hurricane Katrina

Accepted Answer

Hurricane Juan made landfall in Nova Scotia on September 29, 2003, with wind speeds of up to 176 km/hour (109 mph), causing widespread power outages and significant damage to structures and trees. It resulted in eight deaths and almost $300 million in damages, making it the most destructive hurricane to hit Atlantic Canada in the past century. Neither Hurricane Ivan, Hurricane Wilma, nor Hurricane Katrina hit Atlantic Canada.

Question 3

Assume a hurricane in the North Atlantic is travelling toward the northwest at 30 km/h and its average wind speed is 215 km/h. In this scenario, what is the wind speed on the southwestern side of the hurricane?
A)155 km/h
B)185 km/h
C)215 km/h
D)245 km/h

Accepted Answer

The velocity of the hurricane can be broken down into two components - its translational velocity towards the northwest and its rotational velocity around its center. The wind speed on the southwestern side of the hurricane can be obtained by subtracting the translational velocity from the average wind speed. Therefore, wind speed on southwestern side = 215 km/h - 30 km/h = 185 km/h. Therefore, the correct choice is B.

Question 4

Which of the following scales measures hurricane strength based on hurricane winds and central pressure?
A)Richter scale
B)Beaufort scale
C)Saffir-Simpson scale
D)Enhanced Fujita scale

Accepted Answer

The Saffir-Simpson scale measures hurricane strength based on hurricane winds and central pressure. The Richter scale measures the strength of earthquakes, the Beaufort scale measures wind speed in general, and the Enhanced Fujita scale measures tornado strength.

Question 5

Which of the following terms refers to the process by which a hurricane's innermost ring of clouds dissipates and then strengthens?
A)eyewall replacement
B)storm surge
C)spiral rain bands
D)landfall

Accepted Answer

Eyewall replacement is the process by which a hurricane's innermost ring of clouds dissipates and then strengthens. During this process, a new eyewall forms around the old one, causing the storm to weaken briefly before potentially strengthening again. Storm surge refers to the abnormal rise in water level during a hurricane, spiral rain bands are the outer bands of a hurricane that contain heavy rains and gusty winds, and landfall is when a hurricane makes landfall on a coast.

Question 6

Considering a hurricane heading westward toward Florida, where are the strongest winds most likely found?
A)on the eastern side
B)on the northern side
C)on the western side
D)on the southern side

Accepted Answer

The answer of Considering a hurricane heading westward toward Florida,...

Question 7

Which of the following conditions is generally observable as the eye of a hurricane passes directly overhead?
A)a decrease in surface temperature
B)light winds
C)a high surface pressure reading
D)heavy precipitation

Accepted Answer

When the eye of a hurricane passes directly overhead, there is usually a sudden decrease in wind speed or light winds. This is because the eye is the calmest part of the hurricane with no winds at all. The other conditions listed such as decrease in temperature, high surface pressure, and heavy precipitation are more characteristic of the outer bands of the hurricane, rather than the eye itself.

Question 8

Which of the following is represented by the eyewall in a hurricane?
A)a region of light winds and low pressure
B)the exact centre of the storm
C)the area of broken cloudiness at the centre of the storm
D)a zone of intense thunderstorms around the centre of the storm

Accepted Answer

The eyewall in a hurricane is a zone of intense thunderstorms around the center of the storm.

Question 9

Suppose that five of this year's tropical storms develop into hurricanes over the North Atlantic Ocean. Which of the following is the first letter of the name of the third hurricane that occurs this year?
A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Accepted Answer

The National Hurricane Center has six lists of hurricane names that they rotate through each year. Each name starts with a different letter of the alphabet. Therefore, the third hurricane name of this year must come from the third letter of the list, which is "C".

Question 10

Which of the following options correctly describes the air flow associated with a hurricane?
A)Air is sinking at the periphery of a hurricane and sinking in the eye of a hurricane.
B)Air is rising at the periphery of a hurricane and rising in the eye of a hurricane.
C)Air is rising at the periphery of a hurricane and sinking in the eye of a hurricane.
D)Air is sinking at the periphery of a hurricane and rising in the eye of a hurricane.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following options correctly describes...

Question 11

Which of the following describes a hurricane warning?
A)It indicates when a hurricane approaches to within 500 km of the mainland.
B)It indicates the location where a hurricane is forecasted to make landfall.
C)It indicates the probability that a hurricane's centre will pass within 100 km of a location.
D)It is issued whenever surface wind speeds exceed 120 km/h.

Accepted Answer

A hurricane warning indicates the location where a hurricane is forecasted to make landfall. It is issued when a hurricane is expected to hit within 36 hours, giving people time to take necessary precautions. Option A describes a hurricane watch, option C describes the cone of uncertainty, and option D refers to the category of a hurricane based on its wind speeds.

Question 12

During a hurricane, in which of the following locations do surface winds typically reach their maximum speed?
A)in the spiral rain band
B)in the eye
C)in the anvils
D)in the eyewall

Accepted Answer

In a hurricane, the region of maximum surface wind speed is typically located in the eyewall which surrounds the calm eye of the storm. The eyewall is where the strongest and most destructive winds are located. Choice A, spiral rain band, is where heavy rain and occasional gusty winds are located. Choice B, the eye, is the calm center of the storm where winds are light or even absent. Choice C, anvils, are the high cloud tops associated with thunderstorms and do not directly impact surface winds.

Question 13

In order for a hurricane to form, how deep must the surface layer of warm ocean water extend to?
A)40 metres
B)200 metres
C)20 metres
D)400 metres

Accepted Answer

For a hurricane to form, the surface layer of warm ocean water must extend to at least 26.5 degrees Celsius down to a depth of about 50 meters (approximately 20 metres). This warm water provides the energy needed for the hurricane to develop.

Question 14

Why are the winds in a hurricane so strong?
A)The Coriolis force causes hurricanes to spin quickly.
B)There is little friction to slow the wind.
C)The pressure in the centre of the hurricane is very low.
D)The pressure gradient is weak.

Accepted Answer

The winds in a hurricane are strong because the pressure in the centre of the hurricane is very low. As the air moves towards the centre of the low pressure zone, it accelerates, leading to high wind speeds.

Question 15

Which of the following is an accurate statement about the eyewall of a hurricane?
A)It contains strong thunderstorms.
B)It forms after the hurricane has made landfall.
C)It makes up the inner portion of the eye.
D)It is located on the outside of spiral rain bands.

Accepted Answer

The eyewall of a hurricane contains the strongest thunderstorms and is located immediately around the eye.

Question 16

In which of the following locations are hurricanes most likely to form?
A)an area where trade wind inversion is strong
B)along a jet stream
C)along the equator
D)along the ITCZ

Accepted Answer

Hurricanes are most likely to form along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), where warm, moist air from the ocean rises and cools, forming clouds and storms. The ITCZ is located near the equator and extends across the oceans.

Question 17

Which of the following hurricane strengths is indicated by Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale?
A)a very weak hurricane
B)a very strong hurricane
C)a weak hurricane
D)a moderately strong hurricane

Accepted Answer

Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale indicates a very strong hurricane with sustained winds over 156 mph (251 km/h) and catastrophic damage potential.

Question 18

What months of the year are hurricanes most likely to form in the Atlantic Ocean?
A)June and July
B)July and August
C)August and September
D)September and October

Accepted Answer

The peak hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean is from August to September, so C (August and September) is the best choice. While hurricanes can form as early as June and July and continue into October, the highest frequency of hurricanes occurs during the months of August and September.

Question 19

As latent heat is released inside the clouds of a hurricane, the warming of the air aloft creates which of the following areas of pressure aloft?
A)low pressure area aloft
B)high pressure area aloft

Accepted Answer

As latent heat is released inside the clouds of a hurricane, the warming of the air aloft creates a high-pressure area aloft. This high-pressure area is important for the formation of a hurricane's eye, which is characterized by calm winds and clear skies.

Question 20

Which of the following atmospheric conditions is most conducive to the formation of hurricanes?
A)warm air aloft
B)weak upper-level winds
C)dry surface air
D)diverging surface winds at the surface

Accepted Answer

Weak upper-level winds allow for vertical rises of humid air and reduced wind shear, which are necessary conditions for the formation of hurricanes. Warm air aloft can help sustain a storm but is not the most conducive condition for its formation. Dry surface air and diverging surface winds are not favorable for the formation of hurricanes.

Quiz 14: Thunderstorms

Suppose the eye of a hurricane passed directly above you, and you survived the experience. If winds were from the northeast as the eyewall first approached you, from what direction did the winds blow when the eyewall reached you the second time?

Which of the following was the most destructive hurricane ever to hit Atlantic Canada, in the past century?

Assume a hurricane in the North Atlantic is travelling toward the northwest at 30 km/h and its average wind speed is 215 km/h. In this scenario, what is the wind speed on the southwestern side of the hurricane?

Which of the following scales measures hurricane strength based on hurricane winds and central pressure?

Which of the following terms refers to the process by which a hurricane's innermost ring of clouds dissipates and then strengthens?

Considering a hurricane heading westward toward Florida, where are the strongest winds most likely found?

Which of the following conditions is generally observable as the eye of a hurricane passes directly overhead?

Which of the following is represented by the eyewall in a hurricane?

Suppose that five of this year's tropical storms develop into hurricanes over the North Atlantic Ocean. Which of the following is the first letter of the name of the third hurricane that occurs this year?

Which of the following options correctly describes the air flow associated with a hurricane?

Which of the following describes a hurricane warning?

During a hurricane, in which of the following locations do surface winds typically reach their maximum speed?

In order for a hurricane to form, how deep must the surface layer of warm ocean water extend to?

Why are the winds in a hurricane so strong?

Which of the following is an accurate statement about the eyewall of a hurricane?

In which of the following locations are hurricanes most likely to form?

Which of the following hurricane strengths is indicated by Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale?

What months of the year are hurricanes most likely to form in the Atlantic Ocean?

As latent heat is released inside the clouds of a hurricane, the warming of the air aloft creates which of the following areas of pressure aloft?

Which of the following atmospheric conditions is most conducive to the formation of hurricanes?