Download SO weather test[2]

General Knowledge
1)
The wind direction is:
a. the direction from which the wind is blowing
b. the direction to which the wind is blowing
c. always directly from high toward low pressure
d. always directly from low toward high pressure
2)
Storms vary in size (diameter). Which list below arranges storms from largest to smallest?
a. hurricane, tornado, middle latitude cyclone, thunderstorm
b. tornado, middle latitude cyclone, hurricane, thunderstorm
c. hurricane, middle latitude cyclone, thunderstorm, tornado
d. middle latitude cyclone, tornado, hurricane, thunderstorm
e. middle latitude cyclone, hurricane, thunderstorm, tornado
3)
Which of the following is most likely associated with fair weather?
a. high pressure area
b. low pressure area
c. a cold front
d. a warm front
4)
The change of state of ice into water vapor is known as:
a. deposition
b. sublimation
c. melting
d. condensation
e. crystallization
5)
Rising air cools by this process:
a. expansion
b. evaporation
c. compression
d. condensation
6)
Evaporation is a _________ process.
a. cooling
b. heating
c. can’t tell - it depends on the temperature
d. both a and c
7)
Suppose last night was clear and calm. Tonight low clouds will be present. From this you would
conclude that tonight's minimum temperature will be:
a. higher than last night's minimum temperature
b. lower than last night's minimum temperature
c. the same as last night's minimum temperature
d. above freezing
8)
Suppose you are outside in very cold temperatures, wearing a winter coat that is quite effective at
keeping you warm. Which of the following is true?
a. The coat is the source of the heat that keeps you warm.
b. Your body generates the heat that keeps you warm.
c. The coat prevents your body’s heat from escaping to the surrounding air.
d. both (a) and (c) are true.
e. both (b) and (c) are true.
9)
During an equinox:
a. the days and nights are of equal length except at the poles
b. at noon the sun is overhead at the equator
c. the earth is not tilted toward nor away from the sun
d. all of the above
10) The north-facing side of a hill in a mountainous region in the US tends to:
a. receive less sunlight during a year than the south-facing side
b. grow a variety of trees that are typically observed at higher elevation
c. be a better location for a ski run than the south-facing side
d. have snow on the ground for a longer period of time in winter compared to the
south-facing side
e. all of the above
11) Our seasons are caused by:
a. the changing distance between the earth and the sun
b. the angle at which sunlight reaches the earth
c. the length of the daylight hours
d. all of the above
e. only (b) and (c) are correct
12) The earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5º with respect to the plane of its orbit around the sun. If the
amount of tilt were increased to 40º, we would expect in middle latitudes:
a. hotter summers and colder winters than at present
b. cooler summers and milder winters than at present
c. hotter summers and milder winters than at present
d. cooler summers and colder winters than at present
e. no appreciable change from present conditions
13) Lines connecting points of equal temperature are called:
a. isobars
b. isotherms
c. thermals
d. thermographs
14) In calm air the air temperature is -10º C, if the wind speed should increase to 30 knots (with no
change in air temperature) the thermometer would indicate:
a. a much higher temperature than -10º C
b. a much lower temperature than -10º C
c. a temperature of -10º C
d. a temperature of -30º C
15) Which of the following will increase in a rising parcel of air?
a. saturation vapor pressure
b. relative humidity
c. mixing ratio
d. air temperature
e. none of the above
16) 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. lower air temperature in Southern California
c. higher water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico
d. low relative humidity of the air over the Pacific Ocean
17) The temperature to which air must be cooled in order to become saturated is the:
a. minimum temperature
b. dew point temperature
c. wet-bulb temperature
d. freezing point
18) Frost typically forms on the inside of a windowpane (rather than the outside) because
a. the inside of the pane is colder than the outside
b. there is more water vapor touching the inside of the pane
c. there is less water vapor touching the inside of the pane
19) Condensation nuclei may be:
a. particles of dust
b. nitric acid particles
c. smoke from forest fires
d. salt from the ocean
e. all of the above
20) Under what circumstances could the relative humidity exceed 100 percent without producing fog?
a. the dew point is higher than the air temperature
b. the air is perfectly dry
c. there are no condensation nuclei present
d. there are too many electrically-charged ions in the air
e. it’s impossible for the humidity to be greater than 100 percent
21) When fog "burns off" it:
a. absorbs sunlight and warms up
b. evaporates
c. thickens from the ground up
d. settles to the ground in the form of rain
22) Geostationary satellites:
a. orbit the earth once each day
b. remain above a fixed spot above the equator
c. are placed in higher orbits than most polar orbiting satellites
d. all of the above
23) Rain which falls from a cloud but evaporates before reaching the ground is referred to as:
a. sleet
b. virga
c. graupel
d. dry rain
24) A true blizzard is characterized by:
a. low temperatures
b. strong winds
c. reduced visibility
d. blowing snow
e. all of the above
25) In the winter you read in the newspaper that a large section of the Midwest is without power due
to downed power lines. Which form of precipitation would most likely produce this situation?
a. snow
b. hail
c. freezing rain
d. sleet
e. rain
26) Radar gathers information about precipitation in clouds by measuring the:
a. energy emitted by the precipitation particles
b. absorption characteristics of falling precipitation
c. amount of energy reflected back to a transmitter
d. amount of sunlight scattered off the precipitation
e. amount of solar energy passing through the cloud
27) The scale on an altimeter indicates altitude, but an altimeter actually measures:
a. temperature
b. density
c. pressure
d. humidity
28) If a liquid with a lower density than mercury were used in a barometer the height of the column in the
barometer would:
a. increase
b. decrease
c. remain the same
d. not provide an accurate measure of atmospheric pressure
29) Which statement below is not correct concerning the Coriolis force?
a. It causes the winds to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere
b. It is strongest at the equator
c. It can cause winds to change direction, but not to increase or decrease in speed
d. It deflects winds in opposite directions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
30) The wind around a surface high pressure center in the Northern Hemisphere blows:
a. counterclockwise and outward from the center
b. counterclockwise and inward toward the center
c. clockwise and outward from the center
d. clockwise and inward toward the center
31) A wind reported as 045º would be a wind blowing from the:
a. NE
b. S
c. SW
d. NW
32) Which below is usually not true concerning a sea breeze circulation?
a. they mainly occur at night
b. they usually occur when the water is cooler than the land
c. they occur when the surface wind blows from the water toward the land
d. can cause clouds to form over the land
33) Chinook winds are:
a. warm, dry downslope winds
b. warm, moist downslope winds
c. cold, dry downslope winds
d. cold, moist downslope winds
e. warm, dry upslope winds
34) Chicago, Illinois (latitude 42o N) is located in the
a. northeast trades
b. southeast trades
c. westerlies
d. doldrums
.
35) In terms of the three-cell model of the general circulation, areas of surface low pressure should be
found at:
a. the equator and the poles
b. the equator and 30o latitude
c. the equator and 60o latitude
d. 30o latitude and 60o latitude
e. 30o latitude and the poles
36) During a major El Niño event:
a. Peruvian fishermen harvest a record amount of fish near Christmas time
b. extensive ocean warming occurs over the tropical Pacific
c. the Northeast trade winds increase in strength
d. California experiences severe drought conditions
e. all of the above
The Atmosphere
37) The primary source of energy for the earth's atmosphere is:
a. energy from within the earth
b. the sun
c. erupting volcanoes
d. lightning discharges associated with thunderstorms
e. latent heat released during the formation of hurricanes
38) The gas that shows the most variation from place to place and from time to time in the lower
atmosphere:
a. ozone (O3)
b. carbon dioxide (CO2)
c. water vapor (H2O)
d. methane (CH4)
e. argon (Ar)
39) The most abundant greenhouse gas in the earth's atmosphere:
a. carbon dioxide (CO2)
b. nitrous oxide (N2O)
c. water vapor (H2O)
d. methane (CH4)
e. chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
40) Which of the following weather elements always decreases as we climb upward in the atmosphere?
a. wind
b. temperature
c. pressure
d. moisture
e. all of the above
41) The temperature of the tropopause:
a. is close to the temperature at the earth’s surface
b. is much colder than the temperature at the earth’s surface
c. has never been measured
d. is much warmer than the temperature at the earth’s surface
e. is nearly as warm as the sun
42) The rate at which temperature decreases with increasing altitude is known as the:
a. temperature slope
b. lapse rate
c. sounding
d. thermocline
Using the graph of Earth’s atmosphere, answer the following questions.
(INSERT ATMOSPHERE GRAPH)
43) The atmospheric pressure would be lowest at number _____
44) Which number is pointing to a temperature inversion?
45) The maximum concentration of ozone would be found nearest which number?
46) Which number is pointing to the tropopause?
Weather Instrumentation
Identify the weather instrument used to measure the following weather factors.
47) A wind instrument that indicates or records both wind speed and wind direction.
48) An instrument used to measure the water vapor content of the air. It consists of two
thermometers. After whirling the instrument, the dew point and relative humidity can be obtained
with the use of tables.
49) An electronic instrument used to detect objects (such as rainfall) by their ability to reflect and
scatter microwaves back to the receiver.
50) An instrument designed to measure atmospheric pressure.
51) A balloon-borne instrument that measures and transmits pressure, temperature, and humidity
to a ground-based receiving station.
52) An instrument designed to measure the air’s water vapor content. The sensing part of the
instrument can be hair, a plate coated with carbon, or an infrared sensor.
53) An instrument that automatically measures and records cloud height by using a laser or other
light source.
54) An instrument with little cups designed to measure wind speed.
55) A balloon-borne instrument that measures and transmits pressure, temperature, humidity,
and wind speed and direction to a ground-based receiving station.
56) A satellite that orbits the earth at the same rate that the earth rotates and thus remains over a
fixed place above the equator.
Water Vapor
The following table provides air temperature and dew-point temperatures for four cities at 6 pm. Also given is
the minimum temperature for the following morning. If the sky remains clear during the night, decide whether
the city should expect dew, frozen dew, visible frost, or none of these during the morning.
Cities
Air Temperature, ºF (6 pm)
Milwaukee
50ºF
Chicago
52ºF
Madison
46ºF
Rockford
48ºF
Dew Point, ºF (6 pm)
40ºF
30ºF
30ºF
35ºF
Minimum Temperature, ºF (6 am)
36ºF
28ºF
34ºF
32ºF
?
?
?
?
Expect to observe
57)
In Milwaukee, would you expect dew, frozen dew, visible frost, or none of these?
58)
In Chicago, would you expect dew, frozen dew, visible frost, or none of these?
59)
In Madison, would you expect dew, frozen dew, visible frost, or none of these?
60)
In Rockford, would you expect dew, frozen dew, visible frost, or none of these?
Questions 5 through 8 refer to the temperature and dew point data in the following cities:
City
Houston
Detroit
Chicago
Atlanta
Air Temperature (ºF)
95ºF
10ºF
30ºF
50ºF
61) Which city has the highest relative humidity?
a. City A
c. City C
b. City B
d. City D
62) Which city has the least amount of water vapor in the air?
a. City A
c. City C
b. City B
d. City D
63) Which city has the greatest amount of water vapor in the air?
a. City A
c. City C
b. City B
d. City D
64) Which city has the highest saturation vapor pressure?
a. City A
c. City C
b. City B
d. City D
Clouds
65) Which association below is not correct?
a. cirrocumulus - high cloud
b. cumulus - cloud of vertical extent
Dew Point (ºF)
76ºF
10ºF
21ºF
42ºF
c. altostratus - high cloud
d. stratus - low cloud
66) Which association below is not correct?
a. cumulus congestus - anvil top
b. cumulus - fair weather cumulus
c. altocumulus castellanus - resemble "little castles"
d. stratus fractus - scud
e. cumulonimbus - thunderstorm clouds
67) Which of the following cloud types would be found at the highest elevation above the earth's
surface?
a. cumulonimbus
b. cirrocumulus
c. noctilucent
d. cumulus congestus
68) Which of the following pairs of cloud types could be very similar in appearance?
a. cumulus and cirrus
b. cirrostratus and stratus
c. altocumulus and cirrocumulus
d. cirrocumulus and cumulonimbus
69) An anvil-shaped top is most often associated with:
a. cumulonimbus
b. cumulus congestus
c. altocumulus
d. cumulus humilis
70) As Apollo 12 ascended into the atmosphere, the height of the surrounding clouds was noted to be
42,000 feet. A lightning stroke was seen within these clouds, indicating that they must have been:
a. cumulus congestus
b. cumulonimbus
c. cirrus
d. cirrocumulus
e. lenticular
71) Which cloud would most likely produce drizzle?
a. stratus
b. cumulus
c. cumulus congestus
d. cirrostratus
e. cumulonimbus
72) When only ice crystals exist in a cloud, the cloud is said to be:
a. frozen
c. supercooled
b. glaciated
d. supersaturated
Interpreting Weather Station Models
Use the weather station model below to answer the questions that follow. Be sure to label correctly!
-3
**
995
-7
+13
73) What is the wind speed?
74) What is the wind direction?
75) What is the air temperature?
76) What does the -7 represent?
77) What is the sky coverage?
78) What is the barometric pressure at sea level?
79) Has the barometric pressure increased, decreased, or stayed the same recently?
80) What type of middle-level clouds are present?
Reading Meteograms
Use the meteogram above to answer the following questions.
81) At 2:00 pm, what was the air temperature in °F?
82) At 2:00 pm, what was the dew point temperature in °F?
83) At 2:00 pm, what was the present weather data?
84) At 7:00 pm, what was the wind speed?
85) At 7:00 pm, what was the wind direction?
86) Describe the cloud cover at 9:00 am (clear, scattered, broken, or overcast)
87) At what time, were the wind gusts the strongest?
88) How many knots were the strongest wind gusts?
89) What was the lowest sea level pressure?
90) At what time was the lowest sea level pressure reached?
Tie Breakers
Identify the name of the cloud that is depicted in each photograph.
(Insert Cloud Photos)
2009-2010
NEW TRIER REGIONALS
SCIENCE
OLYMPIAD
METEOROLOGY:
EVERDAY WEATHER
DIVISION B
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Everyday Weather Answer Sheet
School: __________________________ V or JV
Student Names:
Team Number: ___________
_______________________________
Raw Score: __________
_______________________________
Rank: __________
General Knowledge:
1)
____________________________
29)
____________________________
2)
____________________________
30)
____________________________
3)
____________________________
31)
____________________________
4)
____________________________
32)
____________________________
5)
____________________________
33)
____________________________
6)
____________________________
34)
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7)
____________________________
35)
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8)
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36)
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9)
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10)
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11)
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37)
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12)
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38)
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13)
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39)
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14)
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40)
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15)
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41)
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16)
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42)
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17)
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43)
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18)
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44)
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19)
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45)
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20)
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46)
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21)
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22)
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23)
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24)
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25)
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26)
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27)
____________________________
28)
____________________________
The Atmosphere
Weather Station Models
Weather Instruments
73)
____________________________
47)
____________________________
74)
____________________________
48)
____________________________
75)
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49)
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76)
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50)
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77)
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51)
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78)
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52)
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79)
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53)
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80)
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54)
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55)
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56)
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Water Vapor
Reading Meteograms
81)
____________________________
82)
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83)
____________________________
84)
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57)
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85)
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58)
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86)
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59)
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87)
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60)
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88)
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61)
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89)
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62)
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90)
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63)
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64)
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TIE BREAKERS
Clouds
A)
____________________________
65)
____________________________
B)
____________________________
66)
____________________________
C)
____________________________
67)
____________________________
D)
____________________________
68)
____________________________
E)
____________________________
69)
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F)
____________________________
70)
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71)
____________________________
72)
____________________________
Everyday Weather Answer Sheet
School: __________________________ V or JV
Student Names:
Team Number: ___________
_______________________________
Raw Score: __________
_______________________________
Rank: __________
General Knowledge:
1)
___________A________________
29)
____________B_______________
2)
___________E________________
30)
____________C_______________
3)
___________A________________
31)
____________A_______________
4)
___________B________________
32)
____________A_______________
5)
___________A________________
33)
____________A_______________
6)
___________A________________
34)
____________C_______________
7)
___________A________________
35)
____________C_______________
8)
___________E________________
36)
____________B_______________
9)
___________D_________________
10)
___________E_________________
11)
___________E_________________
37)
____________B_______________
12)
___________A________________
38)
____________C_______________
13)
___________B_________________
39)
____________C_______________
14)
___________C_________________
40)
____________C_______________
15)
___________B_________________
41)
____________B_______________
16)
___________C_________________
42)
____________B_______________
17)
___________B_________________
43)
____________4_______________
18)
___________B_________________
44)
____________2_______________
19)
___________E________________
45)
____________2_______________
20)
___________C_________________
46)
____________1_______________
21)
___________B_________________
22)
___________D_________________
23)
___________B_________________
24)
___________E_________________
25)
___________C_________________
26)
___________C_________________
27)
___________C_________________
28)
___________A_________________
The Atmosphere
Weather Station Models
Weather Instruments
73)
15 knots (13-17) or 17mph
47)
____aerovane
74)
NW
48)
____psychrometer
75)
-3°
49)
____radar
76)
dew point
50)
____barometer
77)
50% or 1/2
51)
____radiosonde
78)
999.5 mb
52)
____hygrometer
79)
increased
53)
____ceilometer
80)
thick altostratus
54)
____anemometer
55)
____rawinsonde
56)
__geostationary satellite
Water Vapor
Reading Meteograms
81)
32°F
82)
30°F
83)
haze
84)
10 knots (8-12 knots)
57)
_________dew________________
85)
North
58)
_________frost________________
86)
overcast
59)
_________none________________
87)
8:00 am
60)
______frozen dew______________
88)
22 knots
61)
___________B________________
89)
1007 mb
62)
___________B________________
90)
11:00 am
63)
___________A________________
64)
___________A________________
TIE BREAKERS
Clouds
A)
cumulonimbus
65)
____________C_______________
B)
cirrostratus
66)
____________A_______________
C)
altocumulus
67)
____________C_______________
D)
cumulus
68)
____________C_______________
E)
stratocumulus
69)
____________A_______________
F)
cirrus
70)
____________B_______________
71)
____________A_______________
72)
____________B_______________