Term
The atmosphere near the earth's surface is "heated from below." Which of the following is NOT responsible for the heating?
a. conduction of heat upward from a hot surface
b. heat energy from Earth’s inner core
c. convection from a hot surface
d. absorption of infrared energy that has been radiated from the surface |
|
Definition
| b. heat energy from Earth’s inner core |
|
|
Term
The highest temperature is usually observed:
a. a few hours before noon.
b. at noon.
c. a few hours past noon.
d. near sunset. |
|
Definition
| c. a few hours past noon. |
|
|
Term
Warm air rising and forming a cloud BEST illustrates which two energy transport processes?
a. convection, electromagnetic radiation
b. convection, latent heat energy transport
c. conduction, latent heat energy transport |
|
Definition
| b. convection, latent heat energy transport |
|
|
Term
Which of the following weather elements ALWAYS decreases as we climb upward in the atmosphere?
a. moisture
b. temperature
c. density |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
If the amount of energy lost by the earth to space each year were not approximately equal to that received, a. the length of the year would change.
b. the sun's output would change.
c. the Earth’s average temperature would change.
d. the mass of the atmosphere would change. |
|
Definition
| c. the Earth’s average temperature would change. |
|
|
Term
Clouds ____ visible radiation and ____ infrared radiation.
a. absorb; reflect
b. reflect; absorb
c. absorb; absorb
d. reflect; reflect |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The atmospheric greenhouse effect is produced mainly by the:
a. absorption and re-emission of visible light by clouds.
b. absorption and re-emission of microwave radiation by the atmosphere.
c. absorption and re-emission of infrared radiation by the atmosphere. |
|
Definition
| c. absorption and re-emission of infrared radiation by the atmosphere. |
|
|
Term
Warming in the troposphere is mainly caused by:
a. energy transfer from the ground up to the lower atmosphere.
b. frictional heating caused by meteorites.
c. absorption of ultraviolet radiation by ozone.
d. chemical reactions between ozone and chlorofluorocarbons. |
|
Definition
| a. energy transfer from the ground up to the lower atmosphere. |
|
|
Term
Which latitude below would experience the greatest number of daylight hours on Dec. 22?
a. 0° (Equator)
b. 20° N
c. 60°N
d. 20° S |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The earth's radiation is often referred to as ____ radiation, while the sun's radiation is often referred to as ____ radiation.
a. longwave; shortwave
b. shortwave; longwave
c. shortwave; shortwave
d. longwave; longwave |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Hurricane Sandy’s path was common for the northeastern United States. |
|
Definition
FALSE
IT WAS NOT IN THE EXPECTED PATH OF THE HURRICANE |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
The greatest variation in daily temperature usually occurs at the ground. |
|
Definition
TRUE
THE GROUND HEATS UP AND COOLS DOWN FASTER THAN AIR |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Atmospheric temperature is defined as the average speed of air molecules. |
|
Definition
TRUE
FASTER MOLECULES = HIGHER TEMPERATURE |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
A meteorologist is a person with a college degree in meteorology or atmospheric sciences |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Heat is matter in the process of being transferred from cold objects to hot object. |
|
Definition
FALSE
HEAT IS THE TRANSFER OF ENERGY |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
The most important reason why summers in the Southern Hemisphere are not warmer than summers in the Northern Hemisphere is that much more surface ocean water is found in the Northern Hemisphere. |
|
Definition
FALSE
MORE SURFACE OCEAN WATER IS FOUND IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
During the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the noon sun is overhead at 23.5 degrees South. |
|
Definition
TRUE
SPRING: 50 DEGREES
SUMMER: 73.5 DEGREES
WINTER: 26.5 DEGREES |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
The proper order from shortest to longest wavelength is ultraviolet, visible, and microwave. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Standing at the top of a tall mountain, a breath of air would contain a lot fewer molecules than a breath of air taken at sea level. But the proportion of oxygen in the two breaths of air, relative to the other constituents, would remain the same. |
|
Definition
TRUE
THE MOLECULES EXPAND WITH ELAVATION, OXYGEN STAYS THE SAME |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Last January’s below average rainfall is an example of climate. |
|
Definition
TRUE
WEATHER: DAY TO DAY
CLIMATE: EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME |
|
|
Term
The Gulf Coast states are more humid in summer than the coastal areas of Southern California mainly because of the:
a. higher air temperature in the Gulf States.
b. higher water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico.
c. low relative humidity of the air over the Pacific Ocean.
d. lower air temperature in Southern California. |
|
Definition
| b. higher water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico. |
|
|
Term
If the air temperature in a room is 40
°
F, the saturation vapor pressure is 10 mb, the dew point temperature is
20
°
F, and the actual vapor pressure is 2 mb, then the relative humidity must be about ____ percent.
a. 35
b. 50
c. 20
d. 15 |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Radiation fog forms best on a:
a. clear summer night with a strong breeze.
b. clear winter night with a slight breeze.
c. cloudy winter night with a strong breeze. |
|
Definition
| b. clear winter night with a slight breeze. |
|
|
Term
If an air parcel is given a small push upward and it falls back to its original position, the atmosphere is said to be:
a. unstable.
b. stable.
c. neutral.
d. isothermal. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is an indicator of a high amount of water vapor in the air? |
|
Definition
| High Dew Point Temperature |
|
|
Term
| How do you identify High Relative Humidity? |
|
Definition
| Similar Air Temperature and Dew Point Temperature |
|
|
Term
If an air parcel is given a small push upward and it continues to move on its own, the atmosphere is said to be:
a. unstable.
b. stable.
c. dynamic.
d. buoyant. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
A conditionally unstable atmosphere is ____ with respect to saturated air and ____ with respect to unsaturated air.
a. unstable; unstable
b. stable; unstable
c. stable; stable
d. unstable; stable |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
If an addition of water vapor occurred, with no change in temperature, actual vapor pressure would:
a. increase.
b. stay the same.
c. decrease. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
As the air temperature increases, the saturation vapor pressure:
a. decreases.
b. is unrelated to air temperature and can either increase or decrease.
c. remains constant.
d. increases. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
If the temperature and dewpoint temperature are the same, then evaporation usually occurs. |
|
Definition
FALSE
IT CAUSES HIGH RELATIVE HUMIDITY |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Adiabatic processes involve heat exchanges between a parcel and the surrounding air. |
|
Definition
FALSE
ADIABATIC PROCESS: CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE WITHIN A PARCEL OF AIR WITHOUT GIVING OR REMOVING HEAT |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Condensation nuclei are necessary for cloud development. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Afternoons usually have the lowest relative humidity values throughout a typical day. |
|
Definition
TRUE
EARLY MORNING USUALLY HAS THE MOST, AFTERNOONS HAVE THE LESS |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Cirrus clouds are made of ice crystals. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Condensation is a warming process. |
|
Definition
FALSE
CONDENSATION IS A COOLING PROCESS |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Unstable conditions can lead to prolonged periods of smog in the Los Angeles area. |
|
Definition
FALSE
STABLE CONDITIONS LEAD TO SMOG IN LA |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
All three phases of water can occur naturally in the atmosphere. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
If the temperature stays the same, but the actual water vapor content increases, then relative humidity will decrease. |
|
Definition
FALSE
Relative humidity=
actual H2O(specific humidity)/Saturation H2O (temperature)
DENOMINATOR DOESNT CHANGE |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Advection fog is commonly found near the Golden Gate Bridge |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
DAR: DRY ADIABATIC RATE 10 DEGREES C/1000M (RH IS LESS THAN 100%)
MAR: MOIST ADIABATIC RATE 6 DEGREES C/1000M (RH=100%)
ELR=ENVIRONMENTAL LAPSE RATE ABSOLUTELY STABLE - LESS THAN MAR
CONDITIONABLY UNSTABLE - BETWEEN MAR & DAR
ABSOLUTELY UNSTABLE - GREATER THAN DAR |
|
|
Term
. During the ice crystal process of rain formation,
a. ice crystals grow larger at the expense of the surrounding liquid cloud droplets.
b. the temperature in the cloud must be -40 °C (-40 °F) or below.
c. the cloud must be a cumuliform cloud.
d. only ice crystals need be present in a cloud. |
|
Definition
| a. ice crystals grow larger at the expense of the surrounding liquid cloud droplets. |
|
|
Term
Which of the following forces only changes the direction of the wind?
a. frictional force
b. Coriolis force
c. pressure gradient force |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The large thermally-driven convection cell that is fueled by convective towers along the equator is the ____.
a. El Niño cell
b. Ferrel cell
c. Ekman spiral
d. Hadley cell |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
On a 500 millibar chart, ____ are drawn to represent horizontal changes in altitude which correspond to horizontal changes in pressure.
a. isobars
b. contour lines
c. isotachs
d. isotherms |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The merging of liquid cloud droplets by collision is called:
a. riming.
b. deposition.
c. accretion.
d. coalescence. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Which of the statements below is NOT correct concerning the pressure gradient force?
a. The PGF points from high to low pressure in the Northern Hemisphere.
b. It is non-existent at the equator.
c. It can cause the wind to speed up or slow down.
d. The PGF points from high to low pressure in the Southern Hemisphere. |
|
Definition
| b. It is non-existent at the equator. |
|
|
Term
The Coriolis force is the result of:
a. the poles being colder than the equator.
b. the rotating earth.
c. wind.
d. the gravitational force exerted by the moon. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The jet stream usually flows:
a. directly from east to west.
b. in a wavy pattern from west to east.
c. directly from west to east.
d. from the equator towards the pole |
|
Definition
| b. in a wavy pattern from west to east |
|
|
Term
In the winter you read in the newspaper that a large section of the Northeast is without power due to downed power lines. Which form of precipitation would most likely produce this situation?
a. hail
b. sleet
c. freezing rain
d. rain
e. snow |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The force that would cause a stationary parcel of air to begin to move horizontally is called the:
a. frictional force.
b. gravity force.
c. Coriolis force.
d. pressure gradient force. |
|
Definition
| d. pressure gradient force. |
|
|
Term
During a major El Niño event,
a. Peruvian fishermen harvest a record amount of fish around December.
b. extensive ocean warming occurs over the tropical Pacific.
c. California experiences severe drought conditions.
d. the Northeast trade winds increase in strength. |
|
Definition
| b. extensive ocean warming occurs over the tropical Pacific. |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
When it comes to cloud formation, there are usually more particles in the atmosphere conducive to ice crystal formation than liquid water formation. |
|
Definition
FALSE
LIQUID WATER NEEDS MORE PARTICLES TO KEEP ITS FORM |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Rain drops are actually shaped as flattened spheres when greater than 2 mm. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Santa Ana winds are warm due to adiabatic compression. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Warm air aloft is normally associated with low atmospheric pressure aloft. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
The polar jet steers most of the weather systems in North America from east to west. |
|
Definition
FALSE
WAVY PATTERNS FROM WEST TO EAST |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
The average winds aloft are strongest in the summer. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
Ocean currents at the surface are mainly produced by large-scale winds. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is a region where northeast trades converge with the subtropical high. |
|
Definition
FALSE
ITCZ IS AROUND THE EQUATOR |
|
|
Term
TRUE/FALSE
On an upper-level map the wind tends to blow parallel to isobars or contour lines. |
|
Definition
TRUE
THERE IS NO FRICTION SO IT BLOWS PARALLEL |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| COLD, WARM, ACLUDED, STATIONARY |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Cold
Cold, dry stable air replaces warm, moist unstable air
Blue line with blue triangles
Clouds of vertical development
Clouds of vertical development
Thunderstorms, squall lines |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Warm
Warm, moist unstable air overrides cold, dry stable air
Red line with red semi-circles
Horizontal cloud development with steady rain |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Occluded Front
Cold front catches up to and over takes a warm front
Purple line with purple triangles and semi-circles
Cold occlusion, warm occlusion |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Stationary
Front with no movement (or almost no movement)
Alternating red and blue line with blue triangles and red semi-circles semi-circles
Winds parallel but opposite direction
Variable weather |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Mid-latitude cyclone (wave cyclone) forms and
Mid-latitude cyclone (wave cyclone) forms and moves along polar front in wavelike manner |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Thunderstorms
A stormis an atmospheric disturbance containing lightning and thunder; e.g., convective storms.
Severe thunderstorms: one of large hail, wind gusts greater than or equal to 50 kts (58 mph), or a greater than or equal to 50 kts (58 mph), or a tornado
Thunderstorms
A stormis an atmospheric disturbance containing lightning and thunder; e.g., convective storms.
Severe thunderstorms: one of large hail, wind gusts greater than or equal to 50 kts (58 mph), or a greater than or equal to 50 kts (58 mph), or a tornado |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Lightning and Thunder:
Lightning: discharge of electricity in mature storms (within cloud, cloud to cloud, cloud to ground, etc.)
Thunder: explosive expansion of air due to heat from
Thunder: explosive expansion of air due to heat from lightning
Electrification of Clouds: graupel and hailstones fall through supercooled water, ice crystals become positively charged
Upper cloud positive, bottom cloud negative |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Multi-cell Thunderstorms
Thunderstormsthat contain a numberof convection cells, each in a different stage of development, moderate to strong wind shear; tilt, over shooting top. moderate to strong wind shear; tilt, over shooting top.
Gust Front: leading edge of the cold air out-flowing air; shelf cloud, roll cloud, outflow boundary.
Micro-bursts: localized downdraft that hits the ground and spreads horizontally in a radial burst of wind; wind shear, virga. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Supercell thunderstorms:
Large, long-lasting thunderstorm with a single rotatingupdraft
Strong vertical wind shear
Strong vertical wind shear
Outflow never undercuts updraft
Classic, high precipitation and low precipitation supercells
About 50%of these produce a tornado
Wind sheer causes spinning vortex tube that is pulled into thunderstorm by the updraft. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
CAUSES ROTATING UPDRAFT IN TORNADOES
KILLS HURRICANES |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Tornadoes
Rapidly rotating column of air that blows around a small area of intense low pressure with a circulation that reaches the ground.
Tornado life cycle
Tornado life cycle
Organizing, mature, shrinking, decay stage
Tornado outbreaks
Families, super outbreak |
|
|
Term
| Hurricane Formation and Dissipation |
|
Definition
The Right Environment
Tropical waters with lightwind.
26.5°C (80°F) sea surface temperatures (June- November) November)
Surface converge trigger (tropical wave)
Coriolis effect: 5-20º latitude
The Developing Storm
Cluster of thunderstorms around a rotating Low pressure.
Release of latent heat, divergence aloft.
VERTIAL WIND SHEAR KILLS TORNADOES |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
U.S.experiences most tornadoes
Tornado Alley (warm, humid surface; cold dry air aloft)
Highest spring, lowest winter |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Measurement based upon damage after storm or Doppler radar.
For southwest approaching storms, winds strongest in the northeast of the storm, up to 318 mph!!!
Multi-vortex tornados: BIG TORNADO MADE UP OF SMALLER TORNADOES |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Basic requirements are an intense thunderstorm, conditional instability, and extreme vertical wind extreme vertical wind shear |
|
|
Term
| Hurricane Formation and Dissipation |
|
Definition
The Storm Dies Out
Cold water, land, or strong wind shear.
Hurricane Stages of Development
Tropical Disturbance
Tropical Depression (22-34kts)
Tropical Storm (35-64kts)
Hurricane (>65kts or 74 mph) |
|
|
