Weather and Atmospheric Conditions Quiz

What causes variations in altimeter settings between weather reporting points?

• Unequal heating of the earth’s surface.

• Variation of terrain elevation.

• Coriolis force.

The wind at 5,000 feet AGL is southwesterly while the surface wind is southerly. This difference in direction is primarily due to

• stronger pressure gradient at higher altitudes.

• friction between the wind and the surface.

• stronger Coriolis force at the surface.

Convective circulation patterns associated with sea breezes are caused by

• warm, dense air moving inland from over the water.

• water absorbing and radiating heat faster than the land.

• cool, dense air moving inland from over the water.

Every physical process of weather is accompanied by, or is the result of, a

• movement of air.

• pressure differential.

• heat exchange.

What measurement can be used to determine the stability of the atmosphere?

• Atmospheric pressure.

• Actual lapse rate.

• Surface temperature.

What would decrease the stability of an air mass?

• Warming from below.

• Cooling from below.

• Decrease in water vapor.

What feature is associated with a temperature inversion?

• A stable layer of air.

• An unstable layer of air.

• Chinook winds on mountain slopes.

When there is a temperature inversion, you would expect to experience

• clouds with extensive vertical development above an inversion aloft.

• good visibility in the lower levels of the atmosphere and poor visibility above an inversion aloft.

• an increase in temperature as altitude increases.

The most frequent type of ground or surface-based temperature inversion is that which is produced by

• terrestrial radiation on a clear, relatively still night.

• warm air being lifted rapidly aloft in the vicinity of mountainous terrain.

• the movement of colder air under warm air, or the movement of warm air over cold air.

Which weather conditions should be expected beneath a low-level temperature inversion layer when the relative humidity is high?

• Smooth air, poor visibility, fog, haze, or low clouds.

• Light wind shear, poor visibility, haze, and light rain.

• Turbulent air, poor visibility, fog, low stratus type clouds, and showery precipitation.