Meteorology MCQs Quiz Multiple Choice Questions & Answers Page 2

51. The vertical motions that occur when the air is unstable are termed

1. convergence
2. subsidence
3. convection
4. geostrophic

52. This method of frost prevention relies heavily on the release of latent heat of fusion:

1. orchard heaters
2. sprinklers
3. smudge pots
4. wind machines

53. Thunderstorm tops most likely occur

1. in the lower troposphere
2. in the mesosphere
3. near the tropopause
4. in the middle stratosphere

54. Tornadoes most often move toward what direction?

1. west
2. southeast
3. northeast
4. northwest

55. What causes the dissipating stage of a thunderstorm?

1. spreading downdraft cuts off air inflow
2. release of latent heat within the cloud
3. converging surface winds
4. converging winds aloft

56. What causes the winds of a hurricane to be so fast?

1. stronger Coriolis force
2. weaker Coriolis force
3. very strong pressure gradient force
4. coupling with the jet stream

57. What determines when a tropical depression or storm is given hurricane status?

1. wind speed
2. central pressure
3. diameter
4. water temperature

58. What general circulation wind belt is the place of origin for hurricanes?

1. westerlies
2. doldrums
3. trade winds
4. horse latitudes

59. What type of clouds is most common in a hurricane?

1. cirrus
2. stratus
3. nimbostratus
4. cumulonimbus

60. Which of the following should have the steepest pressure gradient?

1. tornado
2. middle-latitude cyclone
3. hurricane
4. a, b and c should have equally steep pressure gradients

61. Which of the following would not be associated with stable atmospheric conditions?

1. widespread fog
2. temperature inversion
3. afternoon thundershowers
4. buildup of pollutants

62. Which of these is common to both cold and warm fronts?

1. light to calm winds
2. lifting of warm air over cold
3. decreasing precipitation rates
4. divergence of surface winds

63. Why are maritime air masses from the north Atlantic of only limited concern for weather in the U.S.?

1. they never cause severe storms
2. prevailing winds move them away from the U.S.
3. temperatures are usually mild over this region
4. polar fronts block these air masses from the U.S.

64. Why do clouds represent a source of heat for the atmosphere?

1. they increase the absorption of solar radiation
2. they conduct heat from the earths surface
3. cloud formation releases latent heat to the air
4. melting ice crystals in the cloud absorb heat

65. Why do hurricanes initially form only in the tropics?

1. stronger pressure gradients are found there
2. warm water temperatures are found there
3. subsiding air currents are found there
4. Coriolis is weaker there

66. Why do most tornadoes in the central U.S. occur during the spring months?

1. upper-air temperatures are warmest
2. air-mass contrasts are greatest
3. divergence of air aloft is greatest
4. surface air is most humid

67. Why do surface wind speeds increase toward the center of a hurricane?

1. reduced friction
2. stronger Coriolis effect
3. warmer water
4. conservation of angular momentum

68. Why is strong heating of the ground by the sun associated with thunderstorms?

1. leads to greater instability
2. reduces the relative humidity
3. reduces the dew point
4. increases the pressure gradient

69. Why is the number and intensity of wave cyclones greatest during the late fall, winter and spring months?

1. air is drier then
2. density of the air is greatest
3. temperature contrasts are greater
4. temperatures are below freezing