Atmosphere and Weather Patterns

Explain which air mass affects the weather in North Carolina.

• Air mass #1 brings warm, moist weather to NC, because it is a continental polar air mass.

• Air mass #2 brings warm, moist weather to NC, because it is a maritime tropical air mass.

• Air mass #1 brings cold, dry weather to NC, because it is a maritime tropical air mass.

• Air mass #2 brings cold, dry weather to NC, because it is a continental polar air mass.

When a warm air mass takes over a cold air mass and causes drizzly rain, what type of front occurs?

• Warm Front

• Stationary Front

• Cold Front

• Occluded Front

A city near the ocean experiences thunderstorms on a frequent basis. Which of these is the BEST explanation for this?

• The cold fronts that only form over coastal areas cause thunderstorms.

• The tidal variations in coastal areas causes thunderstorms.

• The uneven heating of land and water in coastal areas creates fronts that cause thunderstorms.

• The interactions of the waves with the landmass change the air pressure to cause thunderstorms.

The maps above show a front as it moves east across the United States. Which of these describes the weather change that can be expected for Amarillo, Texas?

• The cold front will bring cooler temperatures and snow because the cold front is producing large amounts of energy and snow moving southeast.

• The cold front will bring cooler temperatures with thunderstorms and rain, which causes the moisture in the warm air to condense and release large amounts of energy.

• The warm front will bring warmer temperatures with hot air for several days because it pushes the cold air out of the way.

• The warm front will bring warmer temperatures with light rain for a few days because the warm air rises and cools producing rain.

Cold air is denser than warm air, so it sinks. What kind of pressure area does this create?

• Dense pressure

• High pressure

• Low pressure

• No pressure

Which of the following increases air’s ability to hold water vapor?

• Increase in wind speed

• Decrease in temperature

• Increase in temperature

• Decrease in air pressure

What do hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms all have in common?

• Cold temperatures

• Low air pressure

• Storm surge

• High air pressure

As a hurricane moves through warm waters, the water evaporates and the storm intensifies. What is the most likely effect as a hurricane moves inland?

• The hurricane gains moisture.

• The hurricane gains wind speed.

• The hurricane becomes weaker.

• The hurricane becomes stronger.

How can you compare the formation of tornadoes and hurricanes?

• Tornadoes form over warm, moist ocean water but hurricanes form over land.

• Tornadoes form over land, but hurricanes form over warm, moist ocean water.

• Hurricanes form over land, and tornadoes form over land.

• Hurricanes form over moist ocean water, and tornadoes form over moist ocean water.

What happens to most solar radiation when it reaches the surface of the earth?

• It reflects back

• It's collected in solar panels

• It's absorbed by land, water, and plants

• It disperses throughout the earth's atmosphere