METR 140 Final Exam Review Questions plus Answers
Tropical Waves serve as a triggering mechanism for convection that can form into tropical
cyclones if conditions are favorable. ** Answ** True
Tropical cyclones are likely to be more intense and more destructive in the future. ** Answ**
True
15 C is equivalent to 75 F ** Answ** False
Radar can be used to monitor tropical cyclones even when they are in the middle of the ocean
thousands of miles from the radar site. ** Answ** False
The Saffir Simpson scale of hurricane intensity categorizes hurricanes on a scale from 1 (least
intense) to 5 (most intense). ** Answ** True
The vertical movement of air parcels is driven by the buoyancy force which results form
differences in density (temperature). ** Answ** True
Friction has a big impact near the surface but almost no impact higher up in the atmosphere. **
Answ** True
Air flows cyclonically around low pressure centers. ** Answ** True
Numerical weather prediction models are 100% accurate representations of current and future
atmospheric conditions. ** Answ** False
A tropical weather system is given a name when it reaches which status? ** Answ**
Tropical Storm
List tropical weather systems from weakest to strongest. ** Answ** Tropical distribution,
tropical depression, tropical storm, hurricane
If you choose to avoid encountering a hurricane on a cruise, which body of water would you
choose to tour? ** Answ** Atlantic Ocean in Southern Hemisphere
What is the approximate minimum sea surface temperature for hurricane development? **
Answ** 80 F
What force doesn't impact windspeed or direction at any height? ** Answ** Gravitational
force
What forces impact windspeed or direction at any height? ** Answ** Pressure Gradient
Force, Coriolis Force, and Frictional Force
, What term describes the force per unit area applied by water vapor molecules only? **
Answ** Vapor Pressure
... decreases with height ** Answ** Pressure
... weakens tropical cyclones ** Answ** Vertical Shear
... can occur even in tropical cyclones with weaker wind speeds ** Answ** Excessive
Rainfall
... is strongest just to the right of a tropical cyclone's eye ** Answ** Storm Surge
... is directed from high to low pressure ** Answ** The Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)
Doppler radar can detect particle type (rain, snow, hail, insects, etc), intensity, and motion. **
Answ** True
Most flashes of lightning occur over the oceans ** Answ** False
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that must be in contact with the ground **
Answ** True
Without vertical wind shear you cannot get a thunderstorm. ** Answ** False
A hailstone experiencing wet growth can undergo dry growth later on in its lifetime **
Answ** True
Evaporational cooling refers to the cooling of air as a result of raindrops evaporating **
Answ** True
Hailstones come in a variety of sizes and are not always completely round and smooth. **
Answ** True
Strong wind shear exists when the wind changes rapidly over a small distance. ** Answ**
True
Lifting Mechanisms to trigger a thunderstorm ** Answ** Surface Convergence Zones,
Topography, and Fronts
In order for downdrafts to devlop, the air parcels must be _____ ** Answ** Negatively
Buoyant
The lifted condensation level (LCL) refers to the height at which ____ ** Answ** An air
parcel becomes saturated
What activity results in the most lighting deaths? ** Answ** Leisure Activities
Tropical Waves serve as a triggering mechanism for convection that can form into tropical
cyclones if conditions are favorable. ** Answ** True
Tropical cyclones are likely to be more intense and more destructive in the future. ** Answ**
True
15 C is equivalent to 75 F ** Answ** False
Radar can be used to monitor tropical cyclones even when they are in the middle of the ocean
thousands of miles from the radar site. ** Answ** False
The Saffir Simpson scale of hurricane intensity categorizes hurricanes on a scale from 1 (least
intense) to 5 (most intense). ** Answ** True
The vertical movement of air parcels is driven by the buoyancy force which results form
differences in density (temperature). ** Answ** True
Friction has a big impact near the surface but almost no impact higher up in the atmosphere. **
Answ** True
Air flows cyclonically around low pressure centers. ** Answ** True
Numerical weather prediction models are 100% accurate representations of current and future
atmospheric conditions. ** Answ** False
A tropical weather system is given a name when it reaches which status? ** Answ**
Tropical Storm
List tropical weather systems from weakest to strongest. ** Answ** Tropical distribution,
tropical depression, tropical storm, hurricane
If you choose to avoid encountering a hurricane on a cruise, which body of water would you
choose to tour? ** Answ** Atlantic Ocean in Southern Hemisphere
What is the approximate minimum sea surface temperature for hurricane development? **
Answ** 80 F
What force doesn't impact windspeed or direction at any height? ** Answ** Gravitational
force
What forces impact windspeed or direction at any height? ** Answ** Pressure Gradient
Force, Coriolis Force, and Frictional Force
, What term describes the force per unit area applied by water vapor molecules only? **
Answ** Vapor Pressure
... decreases with height ** Answ** Pressure
... weakens tropical cyclones ** Answ** Vertical Shear
... can occur even in tropical cyclones with weaker wind speeds ** Answ** Excessive
Rainfall
... is strongest just to the right of a tropical cyclone's eye ** Answ** Storm Surge
... is directed from high to low pressure ** Answ** The Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)
Doppler radar can detect particle type (rain, snow, hail, insects, etc), intensity, and motion. **
Answ** True
Most flashes of lightning occur over the oceans ** Answ** False
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that must be in contact with the ground **
Answ** True
Without vertical wind shear you cannot get a thunderstorm. ** Answ** False
A hailstone experiencing wet growth can undergo dry growth later on in its lifetime **
Answ** True
Evaporational cooling refers to the cooling of air as a result of raindrops evaporating **
Answ** True
Hailstones come in a variety of sizes and are not always completely round and smooth. **
Answ** True
Strong wind shear exists when the wind changes rapidly over a small distance. ** Answ**
True
Lifting Mechanisms to trigger a thunderstorm ** Answ** Surface Convergence Zones,
Topography, and Fronts
In order for downdrafts to devlop, the air parcels must be _____ ** Answ** Negatively
Buoyant
The lifted condensation level (LCL) refers to the height at which ____ ** Answ** An air
parcel becomes saturated
What activity results in the most lighting deaths? ** Answ** Leisure Activities
