DEPARTMENT OF EARTH & CLIMATE SCIENCES
SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
NAME _______________________
Fall 2013
Metr 356.01
FINAL EXAMINATION
200 points
There are 50 questions. Read each carefully. Each question worth 4 points.
Figure 1a and 1b are the surface charts for 12 and 09 UTC 30 November 2012. Note the fronts labeled
as Fronts 1, 2 and 3 on Fig. 1b. The track of the Low (Pressure System A on both charts) is shown as
solid arrow on Fig. 1b. Questions are asked about conditions in Regions 1, 2 and 3 on Fig. 1b Pressure
The weather data for four of the weather stations on Fig. 1a are reproduced on the bottom of the next
page. (Fig. 2 is the 500 mb chart for 0000 UTC 30 November 2012. You may have to look at the 500
mb chart to help you answer questions in this section too). Questions 1 through 11 refer to Figure 1a and
1b and the weather stations shown at the bottom of the next page.
Figure 1a: Surface Chart, 12 UTC 30 November 2012
Figure 1b: Surface Chart, 9 UTC 30 November 2012
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1. Station 2 is reporting the following wind direction
a. west
b. northwest
c. southeast.
d. northeast
e. south.
2. Station 1 is reporting a wind speed of
a. 0 knots.
b. 40 knots.
c. 5 knots.
d. 10 knots.
e. 55 knots.
3. Station 1 is a reporting pressure of
a. 933.2 mb
b. 1098.0 mb
c. 1093.2 mb
d. 9320 mb
e. 998.0 mb
4. The information for station 4 implies that
a. More water vapor is present at Station 4 than at the other stations.
b. The relative humidity at Station 4 is the lowest of that suggested at the other stations.
c. The atmosphere is most unstable at Station 4.
d. More rain will occur at Station 4 than at any of the other stations.
e. Rain will shortly occur at Station 4.
5. The present weather symbol at Station 3 indicates
a. A thunderstorm is occurring.
b. Heavy rain is occurring.
c. Sleet is occurring.
d. Moderate Snow is occurring.
e. Moderate fog is occuring.
6. On figure 1a and 1b, the feature labeled "Pressure System A" is (Note: you may have to look at Fig. 2
to help you here).
a. a wave cyclone.
b. a thermal high.
c. a thermal low .
d. a dynamic low.
e. (a) and (d) above.
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7. On figure 1b, the track of Pressure System A indicates that it is a
a. Pineapple Connection Storm.
b. Middle Latitude Type Storm.
c. High Latitude Type Storm
d. Low Latitude Type Storm.
e. (a) and (d) above.
8. On figure 1b, Front 2 is
a. an occluded front
b. a warm front.
c. a stationary front.
d. a cold front.
e. the dry line.
9. On figure 1b, in Region 3 one should find
a. northwest winds.
b. southeast winds.
c. southwest winds.
d. north winds.
e. east winds.
10. On figure 1b, in Region 1 one should find
a. northwest winds.
b. southeast winds.
c. southwest winds.
d. northeast winds.
e. east winds.
11. On figure 1b, in Region 2 one should find
a. northwest winds.
b. east-southeast winds.
c. southwest winds.
d. northeast winds.
e. west winds.
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Figure 2 is the 500 mb chart for 00 UTC 30 November 2012. Note the following: Lines labeled “1”,
“2” and “3”; Regions 1, 2 and 3. Questions 12 through 15 refer to Figure 2.
Figure 2: 500 mb Chart, 00 UTC 30 November 2012
12. On fig. 2, divergence aloft probably is occurring at
a. Line 2
b. Region 1
c. Region 2
d. Region 3
e. Region 1 and 3
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13. On fig. 2, convergence aloft probably is occurring at
a. Line 2
b. Region 1
c. Region 2
d. Region 3
e. Region 1 and 3
14. On fig. 2, a ridge is located at
a. Line 2
b. Region 1
c. Region 2
d. Region 3
e. Lines 1 and 3
15. On fig. 2, a dynamic high at sealevel is probably located underneath
a. Line 2
b. Region 1
c. Region 2
d. Region 3
e. Region 1 and 3
16. In the High Latitude Storm Type, along the California coast, dewpoints are typically
a. Moderate (Td=45o to 50os)
b. Limited (Td=30os to lower 40os)
c.
d.
e.
Great (Td= upper 50os to 60so)
absent.
as high as those in the Gulf of Mexico.
17. In the Middle Latitude Storm Type, along the Northern California coast, total precipitation is
typically
a. Very light.
b. In the form of heavy continuous rain.
c. Light
d. Moderate to heavy
e. In the form of heavy continuous snow.
18. In the Middle Latitude Storm Type, along the California coast, snowlines in the Lake Tahoe region
are typically
a. 7500 to 9000 feet.
b. 5000 feet.
c. near the top of Mt. Whitney
d. 3000 feet.
e. Higher than the passes.
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19. Which of the following regions in California has the highest numbers of tornadoes?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
the Cascade Range.
the Central Valley.
the Sierra Nevada.
the north coast area.
(a) and (b).
20. “Atmospheric Rivers” are chiefly associated with the High Latitude Type storm.
a. T
b. F
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a weir/bypass/levee system along the Sacramento River.
Questions 21 through 26 refer to this figure.
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21. On fig. 3,
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
the region that is purposefully flooded during times of high water is located at
A
B
C
D
E
22. On fig. 3, the weir that is opened during times of high water/possible flooding is located at
a.
A
b.
B
c.
C
d.
D
e.
E
23. On fig. 3,
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
a bypass is located at
A
B
C
D
E
24. On fig. 3, which letter best locates the levee on this river system?
a.
A
b.
B
c.
C
d.
D
e.
E
25. On fig. 3, once the high water event is over and the risk of flooding is reduced, water is allowed to
escape back into the river at
a.
A
b.
B
c.
C
d.
D
e.
E
26. On fig. 3, rice is liable to be grown at location C.
a.
T
b.
F
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The figure below is Fig. 4, the infrared satellite image for 1530 UTC 4 January 2008. The arrow shows
the track of successive position of this wave cyclone. Questions 27 through 29 refer to this image.
Figure 4: infrared satellite image for 1530 UTC 4 January 2008.
27. On figure 4, the track of the wave cyclone indicates that it this storm was a
a.
Pineapple Connection Storm.
b.
Middle Latitude Type Storm.
c.
High Latitude Type Storm
d.
Low Latitude Type Storm.
e.
(a) and (d) above.
28. The satellite image suggests that
a.
extensive stratus was along the California coast.
b.
heavy rainfall can be inferred to be occurring at San Francisco at the time of the image.
c.
a dynamic high was located west of California.
d.
snowfall to sealelvel was probably occurring from around Cape Mendocino south to Big
Sur.
e.
(b) and (d) are probably correct.
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29. The coldest temperatures on this infrared image probably correspond to
a.
tops of cumulonimbus clouds.
b.
stratus clouds.
c.
areas of snowfall.
d.
areas of high winds.
e.
radiation fog.
Figure 5 shows the surface and upper level patterns that we discussed in association with some feature
of the California climate. Questions 30 through 33 refer to this pattern.
Figure 5: Surface and upper tropospheric patterns discussed in class.
30.
The patterns depicted in Fig. 5 were discussed in class in our discussions of
a.
advection fog.
b.
tornadic thunderstorms in the cool season.
c.
summer thunderstorms in coastal California.
d.
La Niña.
e.
low latitude type storms.
31.
If the patterns shown in Fig. 5 occurred, one would expect that the dew point temperatures over
the eastern Pacific immediately adjacent to the California would be
a.
unusually low.
b.
favoring low relative humidity.
c.
favoring stability.
d.
unusually high.
e.
(b) and (d).
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32.
In the patterns shown in Fig. 5, the fact that hurricane tracks extend unusually far north is
consistent with the unusual sea surface temperature pattern.
a.
T
b.
F
33.
In the patterns shown in Fig. 5, occurred, one would expect
a.
Less advection fog than usual, at the latitude of San Francisco.
b.
More advection fog than usual, at the latitude of San Francisco.
34.
Common thunderstorms tend to dissipate quickly because
a.
the summer sun is particularly intense.
b.
the air is stable.
c.
they are not usually associated with air that is very unstable.
d.
the updrafts are not very strong.
e.
the cold air downdraft suppresses the storm’s updraft area quickly at the time the storm
matures.
35.
The California Thermal Low is not associated with precipitation because
a.
the Pacific High is too strong.
b.
the pressures are not low enough at sea level in the Central Valley.
c.
the air moving into the Central Valley during the summer tends to be stable.
d.
the vertical currents in the Central Valley do not loft the air high enough to cool air
parcels to the dew point.
e.
(c) and (d) (both)
36.
The air moving into the Central Valley during the summer is usually very stable because the dew
points in Pacific air during the summer are relatively low compared to the dew points found in
the air masses streaming into North America east of the Rockies.
a.
T
b.
F
37.
The two reasons for the summer dry season in the Mediterranean climate zone are: (1) air
masses are not unstable, so thunderstorms do not occur; and (2) the jet stream is far north, so
wave cyclones rarely occur during the warm season.
a.
T
b.
F
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Figure 6 presents the so-called Depth-Return Period information for seasonal rainfall in downtown San
Francisco. Questions 38 and 39 refer to this table.
3.78
10
5.64
4.26
6.06
10
3.47
6.03
9.23
31.13
Figure 6: Depth/Return Period Information for Downtown San Francisco
4.69
5.06
6.67
7.90
1 day
10 days
Season
5.40
8.91
Return Pd (Yr)
4.57
6.44
10.40
2
2.06
4.79
20.95
5
2.9
6.67
27.40
10
3.47
7.85
31.13
25
4.17
9.28
35.38
50
4.68
10.3
38.28
100
5.17
11.28
41.00
200
5.66
12.23
43.57
500
6.27
13.39
46.88
1000
6.76
14.36
49.14
10,000
8.29
17.26
56.45
5.14
7.21 7.85
12.25 18.10
38. Based upon Fig. 6, the seasonal total that has a 2% (1 in 50) chance of occurring in any given
season is
a.
35.38”
b.
38.28”
c.
41.00”
d.
49.14”
e.
46.88”
39.
The newspaper reports that San Francisco just experienced the “200 yr 1-day storm event”.
Based upon the data given in Fig. 6, this means that
a.
a storm that won’t occur again for one century occurred.
b.
14.36” of rainfall occurred..
c.
a lot of wind occurred.
d.
thunderstorms occurred.
e.
a rainfall total of about 5.7” in 24 hours occurred.
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Figure 7 shows paired surface and 500 mb charts for a weather pattern that we discussed in class.
These charts were in your reader. Question 40 refers to these charts.
40.
The patterns evident in Figure 7 was associated with
a.
advection fog along the coast.
b.
a Chinook in the Rockies.
c.
Diablo Winds in Northern California.
d.
a low-latitude type storm in Southern California.
e.
sub-freezing temperatures and winds 50 knots or greater in many areas of the Bay
Region.
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Figure 8 shows the evolution of a pattern that we have discussed in class. Questions 41 through 44
refer to this pattern.
41.
The patterns depicted in Fig. 8 were discussed in class in our discussions of
a.
High Latitude Type storms.
b.
Atmospheric Rivers.
c.
the so-called Pineapple Connection Storm.
d.
Diablo Wind events.
e.
(b) and (c).
42.
The third (bottom) pattern shown in Fig. 8 would be most likely associated with a
a.
cold temperature event in California.
b.
Low Latitude Type storm.
c.
very high snowlines in the Sierra Nevada.
d.
low elevation snow event in California.
e.
(b) and (c).
43.
A significant issue in the evolution of the pattern shown in Fig. 8 is whether a southern or
subtropical branch of the jet stream develops.
a.
T
b.
F
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44.
Projections through the 21st century that include Global Warming impacts indicate
a.
less precipitation in California associated with Atmospheric River events.
b.
a net increase in the frequency and intensity of storms associated with Atmospheric
Rivers.
c.
shortening of the seasons within which Atmospheric River events occur.
d.
slightly higher average precipitation in Northern California with greater rainfall
variability.
e.
(b) and (d).
Figure 9 shows all the hurricane tracks in the eastern Pacific for the year 1997. Questions 45 and 46
refer to this figure.
45.
On balance, the tracks of hurricanes during 1997 suggests that
a.
sea surface temperatures were probably unusually warm along the West Coast.
b.
advection fog was more frequent along the West coast in 1997.
c.
wave cyclones affected California often.
d.
sea surface temperatures were probably unusually cold along the West Coast.
e.
(b) and (d).
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46.
On balance, the tracks of hurricanes during 1997 were unusual
a.
because many hurricanes moved from east to west.
b.
because several intact hurricances/tropical storms made it to the latitude of Southern
California or even further north.
c.
because normally there are few hurricanes in the eastern tropical Pacific.
d.
because there were many hurricanes that appeared to form in the area of the Pacific south
of Mexico.
e.
(a) and (d).
Figure 10 is a two part diagram.
Questions 47 through 50 relate to this diagram.
Fig. 10a (left) Sea-surface temperatures (top) and sea surface temperature anomalies (bottom) for 10
December 1997; Fig. 10b (right) Sea-surface temperatures (top) and sea surface temperature anomalies
(bottom) for 8 December 2010.
47.
During 1997, sea surface temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific were much warmer than
normal.
a.
T
b.
F
48.
To evaluate whether the chart depicts unusual sea surface temperature conditions, one would
look closely at the panel that shows sea surface temperature anomalies.
a.
T
b.
F
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49.
Fig. 10a indicates that currently
a.
La Nada conditions were ongoing for the pattern shown.
b.
La Niña conditions were ongoing for the pattern shown.
c.
El Niño conditions were ongoing for the pattern shown.
d.
El Gato conditions were ongoing for the pattern shown.
e.
La Cuenta conditions were ongoing for the pattern shown.
50.
Which of the two charts would be associated with a meteorological pattern favoring heavy
precipitation in the Pacific Northwest.
a.
Fig. 10a
b.
Fig. 10b
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