Practice Test for Science Olympiad

Front

From September 9-13, 2013, Boulder, Colorado picked up 14.62 inches of rain, nine times its average monthly rainfall for September. Which of the following best describes why this happened? a fast moving stationary front got caught in the jet stream, which was over the state of Colorado, remnant moisture from Hurricane Patricia stalled over the state of Colorado, the environment was unfavorable for lift, a factor that weakens severe weather development, an upper level low pressure center was stalled over the region, blocked by a dome of high pressure over the Pacific Northwest, the strong La Niña increased water temperatures in the central Pacific, allowing for bands of rainfall to come in through the west coast

Back

an upper level low pressure center was stalled over the region, blocked by a dome of high pressure over the Pacific Northwest

Front

Mammatus clouds, cellular patches of pouches that often extend from the base of a cloud, are often associated with which of the following cloud types? cumulonimbus, cirrocumulus, asperatus , altostratus , lenticular

Back

cumulonimbus

Front

The Enhanced Fujita Scale uses which of the following to determine its ratings? wind speed, damage, central pressure, tornado size, distance of path

Back

damage

Front

When the downdraft of a thunderstorm is stronger than the updraft, which stage is the thunderstorm in?

Back

dissipating stage

Front

The most common form of lightning is

Back

intracloud lightning

Front

Lift can be most accurately described as the trigger that initiates thunderstorm formation

Back

the trigger that initiates thunderstorm formation

Front

Floodwaters are most destructive in which of the following landscapes? grassy terrain, narrow canyons, small hills, rain forests, floodwaters are equally destructive along all landscapes

Back

narrow canyons

Front

When forecasting a hurricane, which aspect is often the most difficult to predict accurately? Options: hurricane track, hurricane intensity, wind shear, water temperatures, dry air

Back

hurricane intensity

Front

The polar easterlies blow toward the

Back

west

Front

You observe a bolt of lightning and hear thunder 20 seconds later. How far away was the lightning bolt?

Back

4 miles away