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WorksheetsFINAL EXAM CHAPT. 9-15
Total questions: 73
Worksheet time: 37mins
What is the relationship between semi-permanent subtropical anticyclones and the location of global subtropical deserts?
The world’s deserts are located under the eastern flanks of subtropical anticyclones, where subsiding stable air creates low humidity and fair skies.
The world’s deserts are located under the western flanks of subtropical anticyclones, where rising air creates high humidity.
The world’s deserts are located at the poles due to cold temperatures.
The world’s deserts are found only near the equator due to high rainfall.
Describe the circulation around a semi-permanent subtropical anticyclone. What wind belts are formed on the equatorward and poleward flanks?
Surface winds blow clockwise and outward, forming mid-latitude westerlies on the poleward flank and trade winds on the equatorward flank.
Surface winds blow counterclockwise and inward, forming polar easterlies on both flanks.
Surface winds blow randomly, forming no distinct wind belts.
Surface winds blow only toward the equator, forming only trade winds.
Describe the weather along the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). Why does the position of the ITCZ shift during the year?
The ITCZ marks the confluence of trade winds and is a discontinuous band of thunderstorms; its position shifts with the Sun, moving toward the poles in spring and toward the equator in autumn.
The ITCZ is always located at the equator and never shifts position.
The ITCZ is a region of dry weather and its position is fixed by ocean currents.
The ITCZ marks the confluence of polar winds and shifts randomly throughout the year.
Why does the climate of Southern California feature a wet winter and dry summer?
Southern California is influenced by the eastern flank of the Hawaiian high in summer, bringing dry weather, and in winter, the high shifts equatorward causing the rainy season.
Southern California receives rain only in summer due to monsoon winds.
Southern California is always dry due to its desert location.
Southern California has a wet summer and dry winter due to ocean currents.
What is meant by a monsoon circulation? What causes the monsoon in Asia and Africa?
Monsoon circulation involves seasonal reversals in wind direction due to contrasts in heating between land and ocean, leading to wet summers and dry winters; Asian and African monsoons are caused by ocean areas with higher thermal inertia than land areas.
Monsoon circulation is caused by constant wind direction and uniform temperatures throughout the year.
Monsoon circulation is only found in polar regions due to ice melting.
Monsoon circulation is caused by volcanic eruptions and mountain ranges.
Which of the following factors contributes to the development of the Southwest Monsoon?
Intense solar heating of the ground and moisture from the Gulf of California and Gulf of Mexico
Cold air masses moving southward from Canada
High pressure systems over the Atlantic Ocean
The formation of hurricanes in the Caribbean Sea
What is the association between weather extremes and a blocking pattern in the westerlies?
Blocking patterns cause weather systems to persist, leading to extremes like floods or droughts
Blocking patterns always result in mild and stable weather
Blocking patterns increase the frequency of tornadoes
Blocking patterns only affect tropical regions
Why does a jet stream occur over the polar front?
Because of strong horizontal pressure gradients between warm and cold air masses
Due to the rotation of the Earth alone
Because of high humidity in the polar regions
As a result of volcanic activity near the poles
How do atmospheric circulation and sea-surface temperature patterns change during El Niño compared to neutral conditions?
Prevailing winds weaken and sometimes reverse, shifting highest SSTs eastward
Prevailing winds strengthen and shift highest SSTs westward
Sea-surface temperatures decrease in the west and increase in the east
Atmospheric circulation remains unchanged
How is the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) measured and what does a positive phase indicate?
By the air pressure gradient between the Icelandic Low and the Subtropical High; positive phase means lower pressure in Icelandic Low and higher in Subtropical High
By temperature differences between North America and Europe; positive phase means warmer temperatures in North America
By humidity levels in the Atlantic Ocean; positive phase means higher humidity
By wind speed over the Atlantic; positive phase means stronger winds
Which process leads to the formation of a thermal low during the development of the Southwest Monsoon?
Intense solar radiational heating of the ground
Cooling of the upper troposphere
Increased precipitation over the ocean
Movement of cold air from the north
What effect does the Coriolis Effect have on the movement of air in the jet stream over the polar front?
It causes the air to turn and blow parallel to isotherms and the polar front
It causes the air to move directly northward
It increases the temperature of the air
It reduces the speed of the jet stream
If a blocking pattern persists for several weeks, what types of weather extremes might you expect in the affected region, and why?
Floods, droughts, or excessive heat or cold due to prolonged weather patterns
Only mild weather due to stable conditions
Increased tornado activity due to rapid changes
Frequent hurricanes due to increased ocean temperatures
During La Niña, how do atmospheric circulation and sea-surface temperature patterns differ from El Niño, and what are the implications for global weather?
La Niña enhances normal conditions with stronger west to east winds and westward shift of rising air and convection, while El Niño weakens and reverses winds, shifting highest SSTs eastward
La Niña causes complete reversal of wind direction compared to El Niño
Both La Niña and El Niño result in identical atmospheric and SST patterns
La Niña leads to higher SSTs in the east and El Niño leads to higher SSTs in the west
What happens to the Azores High during the NAO negative phase?
It has higher than normal pressure and the pressure gradient strengthens.
It becomes weaker and the air pressure gradient is lessened.
It has lower than normal pressure and the pressure gradient strengthens.
It remains unchanged.
During which phase are both the Azores High and the air pressure gradient stronger?
NAO negative phase
NAO positive phase
Winter phase
Summer phase
Explain how the pressure gradient changes during the NAO negative phase and discuss the potential impact on weather patterns in the region.
The pressure gradient strengthens, leading to more stable weather.
The pressure gradient is lessened, which may result in weaker winds and altered weather patterns.
The pressure gradient remains unchanged, so weather patterns are unaffected.
The pressure gradient reverses, causing extreme weather events.
Which type of air mass has a greater average temperature contrast between winter and summer: continental polar (cP) or maritime tropical (mT)?
Continental polar (cP)
Maritime tropical (mT)
Both have the same contrast
Neither has any contrast
Why is continental polar (cP) air very cold in winter?
Because daylight is short and radiational cooling is extreme
Because the air mass originates over tropical oceans
Because the ground is always warm
Because of high humidity
What allows maritime tropical (mT) air to retain its warm, humid characteristics year round?
Originating from tropical and subtropical oceans
Originating from polar regions
Originating from deserts
Originating from mountain ranges
How does Pacific air over the continental U.S. acquire its relatively mild and dry characteristics?
By descending on the leeward sides of mountains and becoming unsaturated
By remaining over the ocean
By mixing with polar air masses
By absorbing moisture from the plains
What happens to air as it moves up the windward side of a mountain?
It cools and becomes saturated, forming clouds and precipitation
It warms and becomes unsaturated
It remains unchanged
It loses all moisture instantly
Why is the cloud and precipitation pattern associated with a warm front usually broader than that of a cold front?
The slope of a warm front is less steep and moves more slowly
Warm fronts always have more moisture
Cold fronts never produce precipitation
Warm fronts are always associated with thunderstorms
Where does surface cyclogenesis typically take place in relation to the upper troposphere?
Directly under an area of upper-tropospheric horizontal divergence
Directly under a high-pressure system
Directly under a mountain range
Directly under a warm front
In which region of a Northern Hemisphere extratropical cyclone is the warm sector located?
Southeast region
Northwest region
Northeast region
Southwest region
What are the general weather conditions in the warm sector of a Northern Hemisphere extratropical cyclone?
Mildest air with south and southeast winds advecting warm, moist air northward
Coldest air with strong winds from the north
Dry air with clear skies and no wind
Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures
Why is snowfall most likely in the northwest sector of a mature extratropical cyclone?
Because the lowest air temperatures occur where continental polar or Arctic air flows southward and eastward.
Because the highest air temperatures occur where tropical air flows northward and westward.
Because the northwest sector receives the most sunlight during the day.
Because the cyclone's center is always coldest.
What type of weather might develop along the leading edge of a sea breeze front, which resembles a miniature cold front?
Showers or possible thunderstorms due to ascending warm air cooling and cloud formation.
Clear skies and calm winds due to descending cold air.
Heavy snowfall due to cold air mixing with warm air.
Fog formation due to high humidity.
Why is a chinook both warm and dry?
Because descending unsaturated air is warmed by compression, increasing temperature and decreasing relative humidity.
Because ascending saturated air cools and increases humidity.
Because the air is cooled by expansion as it rises over the mountain.
Because chinooks only occur during rainy seasons.
What are Santa Ana winds and how do they form?
Santa Ana winds are hot, dry winds that blow from the northeast or east, originating in the Great Basin and Mojave Desert, driven by a strong air pressure gradient and adiabatic compression.
Santa Ana winds are cold, moist winds that blow from the Pacific Ocean, forming during spring.
Santa Ana winds are gentle breezes that occur only at night in southern California.
Santa Ana winds are humid winds that originate from tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico.
How does a dust devil typically form?
A dust devil forms when a hot spot is heated and air rises, with cooler surface winds converging and horizontal wind causing the column of rising hot air to spin about a vertical axis, lifting dust off the ground.
A dust devil forms when cold air descends rapidly, pushing dust downward.
A dust devil forms during heavy rainfall when water mixes with dust.
A dust devil forms only at night when temperatures drop suddenly.
What are the three stages of thunderstorm development? Briefly describe the characteristics of the mature stage of the life cycle of a thunderstorm cell.
Towering cumulus, mature, dissipating; mature stage has both updraft and downdraft, lightning, thunder, strong gusty winds, and possibly hail.
Cumulus, stratus, cirrus; mature stage has only updraft and no precipitation.
Initial, middle, final; mature stage is characterized by calm weather and no lightning.
Growth, peak, decline; mature stage has only downdraft and no thunder.
Distinguish between a roll cloud and a shelf cloud.
Roll clouds are long, tube-shaped and rotate slowly; shelf clouds are wedge-shaped with a flat base and are attached to cumulonimbus clouds.
Roll clouds are flat and attached to cumulonimbus clouds; shelf clouds are tube-shaped and rotate.
Roll clouds are wedge-shaped and attached to cumulonimbus clouds; shelf clouds are tube-shaped and rotate.
Roll clouds and shelf clouds are both tube-shaped and rotate slowly.
What causes a cumulonimbus cloud to have an anvil top?
Strong winds at high altitudes shape the anvil top; rising cloud air encounters stable air at the tropopause and lower stratosphere.
Low pressure at the surface causes the anvil top to form.
The presence of rain at the base of the cloud creates the anvil top.
The cloud's rotation causes the anvil top to form.
What is a mesoscale convective system (MCS)? Describe distinguishing features of a large MCS.
A large, organized cluster of thunderstorms; distinguished by very cold cirrus cloud hiding the underlying structure.
A single thunderstorm cell; distinguished by warm air at the surface.
A group of stratus clouds; distinguished by high humidity.
A small, isolated thunderstorm; distinguished by strong surface winds.
Describe how and why thunderstorm frequency varies with Earth’s surface characteristics.
Thunderstorm frequency is greatest over continental interiors of tropical latitudes; less frequent over water, more frequent in mountainous areas due to topographical heating differences.
Thunderstorm frequency is highest over oceans and lowest over land.
Thunderstorm frequency does not vary with surface characteristics.
Thunderstorm frequency is greatest in polar regions due to cold temperatures.
Why do we hear thunder after seeing lightning? Describe the flash-to-bang method of determining the distance to an approaching thunderstorm cell.
Light travels faster than sound, so we see lightning before hearing thunder; the flash-to-bang method involves counting seconds between lightning and thunder to estimate distance.
Sound travels faster than light, so we hear thunder before seeing lightning; the flash-to-bang method involves measuring the brightness of lightning.
Thunder and lightning occur simultaneously; the flash-to-bang method is not used for distance estimation.
Lightning is silent; thunder is caused by rain hitting the ground.
How can you estimate the distance to a thunderstorm using the flash-to-bang method?
Count the seconds between lightning and thunder, then divide by 3 to get kilometers.
Count the seconds between thunder and lightning, then multiply by 3 to get kilometers.
Measure the brightness of lightning and compare to thunder volume.
Divide the number of thunderclaps by the number of lightning flashes.
Which of the following best describes the distinguishing features of a derecho?
A long-lived, convectively-induced windstorm with straight-line, downburst winds and a curved or bowed shape.
A short-lived tornado with circular winds and a funnel shape.
A thunderstorm with heavy rainfall and lightning but no strong winds.
A hurricane with rotating winds and a central eye.
What thunderstorm characteristics promote the formation of hail?
Strong updrafts, extensive vertical development, and abundance of supercooled water droplets.
Weak updrafts, low vertical development, and warm water droplets.
High humidity, low pressure, and strong sunlight.
Rapid cooling, low wind speeds, and dry air.
How does a hailstone form within a thunderstorm?
An ice particle moves vertically in updrafts and grows by accretion of freezing water droplets.
Water vapor condenses directly into large ice crystals at ground level.
Rain droplets freeze instantly upon leaving the cloud.
Snowflakes melt and refreeze repeatedly in the atmosphere.
What force is primarily responsible for producing and maintaining a tornado’s vigorous circulation?
Extremely strong horizontal air pressure gradient.
High humidity and temperature.
Rapid cooling of the atmosphere.
Solar radiation and wind shear.
What is the basis of the EF-scale for rating tornadoes?
Rotational wind speeds estimated from property damage.
The size and shape of the tornado funnel.
The amount of rainfall produced by the tornado.
The duration of the tornado’s activity.
Approximately what percentage of tornadoes are rated EF-3 or higher?
About 5%
About 25%
About 50%
About 75%
A thunderstorm produces both lightning and thunder. If you count 9 seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder, how far away is the storm?
3 kilometers
9 kilometers
27 kilometers
1 kilometer
Describe the role of the centripetal force in maintaining a tornado’s circulation.
The inward-directed pressure gradient force produces the centripetal force that maintains air circulation.
The centripetal force is produced by the sun’s heat.
The centripetal force is unrelated to tornado formation.
The centripetal force is produced by rainfall within the tornado.
What role does selective memory play in personal assessment of weather forecasts?
People tend to remember missed weather forecasts, but overlook the fact that most forecasts are on target.
People always remember accurate weather forecasts and forget the missed ones.
Selective memory has no impact on personal assessment of weather forecasts.
People only remember weather forecasts that predict extreme events.
How does the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) coordinate, analyze, and forecast for so many countries? Why must weather observations be taken at the same time everywhere?
By using a global weather-monitoring program called World Weather Watch, which combines standardized observing systems and data centers, and by taking observations at standard times (UTC).
By allowing each country to use its own system and time for weather observations.
By only focusing on weather in a few major countries.
By relying solely on satellite data without standardized observation times.
On a national scale, what NOAA National Weather Service entity is responsible for forecasting and how are specialized forecasting areas addressed?
The NOAA/NWS National Centers for Environmental Prediction are responsible, with special forecast centers focusing on hazardous weather systems and regional offices providing analysis and products.
Local news stations are responsible for all national forecasting.
Only the National Hurricane Center handles all types of weather forecasting.
The National Weather Service does not address specialized forecasting areas.
List the main steps involved in the preparation of a weather forecast.
Acquisition of weather data, representation on maps, analysis and interpretation, generation of forecasts and guidance products, and dissemination to users.
Only collecting weather data and sending it to users.
Generating weather forecasts without any data analysis.
Preparing weather forecasts by guessing based on past weather.
What are the sources of weather information over the land and the ocean?
Geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites, weather radar, surface and upper air stations, ships, aircraft, radiosonde stations, dropsondes, and drifting and moored buoys.
Only satellites and ships.
Only weather radar and surface stations.
Only aircraft and dropsondes.
What are radiosondes and how are they used in the construction of upper-air weather maps?
Radiosondes are radio-equipped instrument packages carried aloft by balloons and tracked by GPS, enabling vertical profiles of temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed and direction.
Radiosondes are satellites that measure only surface temperature.
Radiosondes are ships that collect ocean weather data.
Radiosondes are computer models that predict weather without any instruments.
Why is it essential that surface air pressure readings are adjusted to sea level?
It enables meteorologists to compare surface pressure readings at weather stations across the country as though they are at the same altitude.
It helps to measure the temperature more accurately.
It allows for easier calculation of wind speed.
It is necessary for predicting rainfall amounts.
Explain why the height of the 500-mb surface is generally much higher in the tropics than in polar regions.
The air is warmer and less dense in the tropics, causing air pressure to drop less rapidly with height.
The tropics have more rainfall, which increases the height of the 500-mb surface.
The polar regions have stronger winds, which lower the 500-mb surface.
The tropics are closer to the equator, which automatically raises the 500-mb surface.
Why does weather forecast skill decline as the forecast period lengthens?
Because of inaccuracies in initializing numerical models, missing data (especially over the ocean), and approximations in the models.
Because the weather becomes more predictable over time.
Because computers cannot process data for long periods.
Because the atmosphere becomes less active as time passes.
Why are high-speed, high-capacity supercomputers essential for global-scale numerical models?
They can handle the huge number of data points and computations run by a numerical weather model.
They are needed to store weather maps for future reference.
They help meteorologists travel faster to weather stations.
They are used to create visualizations for weather reports.
Which components make up Earth's climate system?
Atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and their interactions
Only atmosphere and hydrosphere
Lithosphere and biosphere only
Atmosphere, hydrosphere, and stratosphere only
Why might a 30-year period be inappropriate for averaging weather data in some climate studies?
Climate can change significantly in periods much shorter than 30 years
30 years is too long to observe any changes
Weather data is only reliable for 10 years
Climate does not vary over time
What is the main purpose of peer review in the sciences?
To maintain high levels of quality and credibility
To publish articles faster
To allow only students to review work
To avoid collecting observations
How does climatology utilize the scientific method?
By proposing hypotheses, collecting observations, designing experiments, and repeating the process for verification
By guessing weather patterns without evidence
By ignoring observations and relying on tradition
By only using computer models without experiments
What has been the general consensus in the scientific community regarding the global climate change trend since the 1880s?
A warming trend has generally prevailed
There has been no change in global temperature
A cooling trend has prevailed
Temperatures have remained constant
Since 1981, how has the rate of global temperature increase changed?
The rate of increase has more than doubled
The rate of increase has halved
The rate of increase has remained the same
The rate of increase has stopped
Why is it important for climate scientists to repeat experiments and test hypotheses multiple times?
To validate results and ensure reliability
To speed up the research process
To avoid using evidence
To reduce the number of observations
What does it mean for climate change to be geographically non-uniform?
Climate change affects different regions in different ways
Climate change affects all regions equally
Only polar regions experience climate change
Climate change does not affect any region
Which term refers to the magnitude of temperature change increasing with latitude, especially in polar regions?
Polar temperature amplification
Tropical temperature reduction
Equatorial temperature stabilization
Continental temperature fluctuation
What are Milankovitch cycles?
Regular variations in the precession and tilt of Earth's axis and orbital eccentricity
Sudden changes in Earth's magnetic field
Seasonal changes in ocean currents
Daily fluctuations in atmospheric pressure
Do Milankovitch cycles significantly alter the total amount of solar radiation received by the Earth system?
No, but they alter the latitudinal distribution of radiation
Yes, they greatly increase the total solar radiation
Yes, they greatly decrease the total solar radiation
No, they have no effect on solar radiation or its distribution
How do volcanoes influence climate change?
By adding solid particulates and sulfur dioxide to the atmosphere
By increasing ocean salinity
By reducing atmospheric oxygen levels
By causing rapid cooling of the Earth's core
What effect can particulates of sulfur from volcanoes have on Earth's atmosphere?
They can remain suspended in the stratosphere and impact Earth's radiation balance
They immediately fall to the ground and have no effect
They increase the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere
They cause instant warming of the Earth's surface
How does a global climate model (GCM) differ from a numerical weather prediction (NWP) model?
GCMs focus on long-term changes and boundary conditions, while NWP models focus on short-term atmospheric states
GCMs predict daily weather, while NWP models predict climate trends
GCMs use only local data, while NWP models use global data
GCMs ignore physical laws, while NWP models apply them
What do global climate models (GCMs) project?
Positive and negative temperature and precipitation anomalies
Only positive temperature changes
Only negative precipitation changes
Daily weather forecasts for local areas
Compare current global sea level to that of the last glacial maximum.
Current global sea level is considerably higher than during the last glacial maximum
Current global sea level is lower than during the last glacial maximum
Current global sea level is unchanged since the last glacial maximum
Current global sea level is only slightly higher than during the last glacial maximum
What do scientists predict about global sea level during the current century if current climate trends continue?
It will continue to rise
It will remain stable
It will decrease rapidly
It will fluctuate unpredictably
