NAME _____________________________________________________ METEOROLOGY TEST # 2
___ 1. ? are alternating light and dark bands of light that appear to fan out from the sun's position.
A.haloes B.sun dogs C.crepuscular rays D.sun pillars E.heiligenschein
___ 2. Fibrous, feather, "mare's tails" would be classified as ? clouds. A.altostratus B.altocumulus
C.cirrocumulus D.cirrostratus E.cirrus
___ 3. ? fog is often termed ground fog. It usually occurs over marshy areas or wet soils. A.radiation
B.advection C.steam D.upslope
___ 4. ? measures the amount of water vapor in the air by measuring the air's actual vapor pressure.
A.psychrometers B.electrical hygrometers C.dew cells D.infrared hydrometers
___ 5. Conditional unstable air begins ascent as ? air. Above the condensation level it is ?. A.stable,
unstable B.stable, stable C.unstable, stable D.unstable, unstable
___ 6. Relative humidity may be varied by A.changing air pressure B.adding moisture to the air by
evapotranspiration C.all of the above may affect relative humidity D.none of the above affect relative
humidity
___ 7. At sea level atmospheric pressure averages ? pounds per square inch. A.15.8 B.14.7 C.15.9
D.16.8 E.12.3
___ 8. The freezing temperature at which saturation occurs is termed the A.dew point B.frost point
C.all of the above represent the freezing temperature at which saturation occurs D.none of the above
represents the freezing temperature at which saturation occurs
___ 9. For a particle to remain suspended the terminal velocity must ? the updraft. A.exceed B.be less
than
___ 10. Snow pellets A.are also termed ice pellets B.consist of five to ten millimeter snow flakes C.are
formed where supercooled droplets freeze on ice crystals D.all of the above are true E.none of the above
is true
___ 11. ? clouds have great horizontal extent. A.stratus B.cumulus
___ 12. Rate of evaporation depends primarily on A.water temperature B.amount of water vapor in the
air C.wind speed D.all of the above influence evaporation rates E.none of the above influence
evaporation rates
___ 13. A descending air parcel will ? temperature according to the ? adiabatic lapse rate. A.increase,
wet B.decrease, wet C.increase, dry D.decrease, dry E.descending air parcels do not follow adiabatic
rates
___ 14. The shaft of falling precipitation below a cloud is termed the A.bergeron B.advection
C.convection current D.mist E.virga
___ 15. For unsaturated air the A.temperature decreases from about three to ten degrees celsius per
kilometer B.the dew point decreases at about eight degrees celsius per kilometer C.all of the above are
true D.none of the above is true
___ 16. The mass of water vapor per unit mass of air defines A.the standard atmosphere B.atmospheric
pressure C.absolute humidity D.relative humidity E.specific humidity
___ 17. Which of the following is true concerning surface convergence? A.with descending air from
above B.wind pattern with net outflow from a central point C.all of the above are true concerning
convergence D.none of the above is true concerning convergence
___ 18. Falling pressure typically indicates ? weather. A.fair B.stormy C.falling pressure does not
indicate any particular weather pattern
___ 19. Which of the following would enhance atmospheric instability? A.forceful lifting of air
B.intense solar heating of air C.movement of air mass over warm surface D.all of the above enhance
atmospheric instability E.none of the above enhance atmospheric instability
___ 20. During the Bergeron Process A.water droplets tend to condense B.ice crystals tend to evaporate
C.precipitation forms within "cold clouds" D.all of the above are true E.none of the above is true
___ 21. Which of the following is true concerning freezing rain? A.consists of transparent or translucent
ice that is less than five millimeters in diameter B.is formed by raindrops falling through air layers with
freezing temperature C.all of the above are true D.none of the above is true
___ 22. ? fog occurs where cold air moves over warm water and evaporates it. A.radiation B.advection
C.steam D.upslope
___ 23. For condensation to take place A.the temperature must be above the dew point B.hygroscopic
nuclei must be present C.all of the above must be present for condensation to take place D.none of the
above are needed for condensation to take place
___ 24. Which of the following cloud types is characterized by the presence of a halo? A.cirrocumulus
B.cirrostratus C.altostratus D.stratus E.cirrus
___ 25. Which of the following air parcels would be most dense? A.cool, wet air B.warm, humid air
C.warm, dry air D.cold, dry air E.all of the above would have the same density
___ 26. The greater the temperature, the ? the air density. A.greater B.less C.temperature does not
influence air density
___ 27. The mean vertical profile of temperature, pressure and density within the atmosphere is termed
the A.absolute stability B.absolute instability C.frost point D.low-level inversion E.standard
atmosphere
___ 28. Above which of the following terrestrial environments would absolute instability be most
common? A.above a desert B.above a temperate forest C.above a tropical jungle D.all of the above
environments would have equal opportunities to develop absolute atmospheric instability E.all of the
above environments would be overlain by stable air
___ 29. ? air contains the maximum amount of water vapor for a given temperature. A.humid
B.absolutely specific C.relatively specific D.psychrometric E.saturated
___ 30. Mass per unit volume defines A.air density B.standard atmosphere C.pressure D.specific
humidity E.absolute instability
___ 31. Which of the following is not a high cloud type? A.cirrus B.cirrostratus C.altostratus
D.cirrocumulus E.all of the above are high cloud types
___ 32. Atmospheric stability may be enhanced by A.radiation warming Earth's surface B.warming air
mass from below as it traverses a warm surface C.subsidence of air masses D.all of the above enhance
atmospheric stability E.all of the above enhance atmospheric instability
___ 33. There is ? evaporation over oceans than over continents. A.greater B.less C.evaporation rates
are equal over oceans and continents
___ 34. Which of the following is true concerning saturated air parcels? A.the altitude at which
condensation first takes place is at the tops of clouds B.condensation lowers the rate at which the air
parcel cools while ascending C.all of the above are true D.none of the above is true
___ 35. The rate of decreasing pressure is much ? at low altitudes than at higher altitudes. A.less
B.greater C.there is no difference in the rate of decreasing pressure at low or high altitudes
___ 36. Which of the following would most likely be used in a radiosonde? A.infrared hygrometer
B.psychrometer C.electrical hygrometer D.all of the above are used in radiosondes E.none of the above
is used in radiosondes
___ 37. Which of the following cloud types would most likely yield the least precipitation?
A.cumulonimbus B.cumulus C.nimbostratus D.all of the above would likely yield the same amount of
precipitation E.none of the above would yield much precipitation
___ 38. ? is formed where humid, cold air deposits water vapor on vegetation as fern-like crystals.
A.dew B.freezing rain C.sleet D.ice pellets E.hoarfrost
___ 39. Which of the following is true concerning snow? A.typically forms just south of a center of high
pressure B.is created where rain freezes into six-sided crystals C.all of the above are true D.none of the
above is true
___ 40. Which of the following is true concerning surface divergence? A.with ascending air from the
surface B.wind pattern has a net inflow toward a central point C.all of the above are true concerning
divergence D.none of the above is true concerning divergence
___ 41. Which of the following is true concerning a rainbow? A.arc of concentric colored bands due to
refraction and internal reflection of sunlight by raindrops B.in order to see one you must have the sun in
front of you and must be looking at a distant rain shower C.all of the above are true D.none of the above
is true
___ 42. Frontal fog is typically associated with ? fronts. A.warm B.cold C.frontal fogs are equally
associated with cold fronts and warm fronts
___ 43. ? are also termed "parhelia". A.haloes B.sun dogs C.sun pillars D.optical coronas
E.heiligenschein
___ 44. ? clouds are "flying saucer"-like clouds that form on the lee side of mountains. A.cirrus uncinus
B.noctilucent C.nacreous D.lenticular altocumulus E.contrails
___ 45. If absolute stability is attained the wet adiabatic lapse rate is ? the environmental lapse rate.
A.greater than B.less than C.the same temperature as
___ 46. Force per unit area of surface confining a fluid defines A.air density B.standard atmosphere
C.pressure D.specific humidity E.absolute instability
___ 47. ? are lines on a map connecting equal pressures. A.isotherms B.mesotherms C.teleotherms
D.isobars E.none of the above are lines on a map connecting equal pressures
___ 48. Water is temporarily stored in the hydrologic cycle in A.glaciers B.bodies of water
C.groundwater aquifers D.all of the above store water E.none of the above store water in the hydrologic
cycle
___ 49. The process by which water is released into the atmosphere by plants is termed A.evaporation
B.photosynthesis C.transpiration D.humidification E.humidity
___ 50. Probably the major precipitation process at mid- and high-latitudes is the ? process. A.Bergeron
B.collision-coalescence
___ 51. ? fog occurs where air moves upward along a ground surface. A.radiation B.advection C.steam
D.upslope
___ 52. With decreased water vapor in the air, density A.increases B.decreases C.water vapor does not
influence density
___ 53. Which of the following is true concerning millibars? A.average sea level pressure is 1470
millibars B.worldwide air pressure range is 1150 to 1600 millibars C.millibars are the conventional air
pressure unit D.all of the above are true E.none of the above is true
___ 54. Which of the following is true concerning orographic lifting? A.sloping terrain acts as a barrier
over which air ascends B.air on the windward side loses moisture C.all of the above are true D.none of
the above is true
___ 55. The mass of water vapor per unit volume of air defines A.the standard atmosphere
B.atmospheric pressure C.absolute humidity D.relative humidity E.specific humidity
___ 56. In conditional instability moist air has a lapse rate ? the dry and wet adiabatic lapse rates.
A.greater than B.less than C.between
___ 57. ? clouds are "mother-of-pearl" clouds. A.cirrus uncinus B.fractus C.cumulus congestus
D.nacreous E.noctilucent
___ 58. Which of the following is most similar to fog? A.drizzle B.mist C.all of the above are similar to
fog D.none of the above is similar to fog
___ 59. During subsidence A.upper portion of subsiding air is cooled due to expansion B.air near the
surface is typically warmed by compression C.warming often evaporates clouds D.all of the above
occur during subsidence E.none of the above occur during subsidence
___ 60. Which of the following measures relative humidity? A.altimeter B.anemometer C.aneroid
barometer D.barograph E.psychrometer
___ 61. During a low-level inversion A.air near the surface is warmer than air aloft B.there is
considerable vertical mixing of air C.all of the above are true D.none of the above is true
___ 62. A ? cloud is often termed a thunderhead and is characterized by an "anvil top". A.nimbostratus
B.stratus C.stratocumulus D.cumulus E.cumulonimbus
___ 63. Sun Pillars are due to light reflection off A.ice crystals B.supercooled water C.both ice crystals
and supercooled water are involved
___ 64. ? clouds are rare, silvery-blue clouds that may be formed from meteoric dust particles within the
mesosphere. A.cirrus uncinus B.fractus C.nacreous D.noctilucent E.lenticular
___ 65. For absolute instability to be attained the ascending air is always ? the environment. A.warmer
than B.colder than C.the same temperature as
___ 66. Which of the following is true concerning adiabatic processes? A.compression of air parcels
leads to cooling B.expansion of air parcels leads to warming C.air parcels are cooled or warmed by
advection D.all of the above are true concerning adiabatic processes E.none of the above is true
concerning adiabatic processes
___ 67. ? fog is where warm, humid air moves over a chilled surface. A.radiation B.advection C.steam
D.upslope
___ 68. Which of the following is true concerning fog? A.restricts visiblity to one kilometer or less B.is
a cloud layer in contact with the Earth's surface C.all of the above are true concerning fog D.none of the
above is true concerning fog
___ 69. Collision-coalescence processes form ? clouds. A.warm B.cold
___ 70. ? is a white ring around an observer's head due to reflection off of dew droplets. A.optical corona
B.glory C.heiligenschein D.halo E.crepuscular rays
___ 71. Which of the following results from low level saturation processes? A.fog B.frost C.dew D.all
of the above result from low level saturation processes E.none of the above result from low level
saturation processes
___ 72. The amount of water vapor in the air is termed A.precipitation B.humidity C.the sum of the
above represents the water vapor in the air and therefore both terms should be used
___ 73. The ratio of water vapor in the air to the maximum allowable amount of water vapor for a given
temperature defines A.the standard atmosphere B.atmospheric pressure C.absolute humidity D.relative
humidity E.specific humidity
___ 74. ? measure the atmospheric humidity by the amount of energy absorbed by water vapor in a
sample of air. A.psychrometers B.electrical hygrometers C.infrared hygrometers D.dew cells
___ 75. A colored ring around the shadow of an observers head that appears on a cloud surface below the
observer is termed a A.optical corona B.halo C.glory D.rainbow
___ 76. The temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor is termed the A.dry adiabatic
lapse rate B.wet adiabatic lapse rate C.condensation point D.dew point E.hygroscopic point
___ 77. Which of the following is true concerning drizzle? A.water droplets range from two to five
millimeters in size B.is often associated with fog C.is typically associated with cumulus clouds D.all of
the above are true E.none of the above is true
___ 78. In absolute instability the dry and wet adiabatic lapse rates are ? the environmental lapse rate.
A.greater than B.less than C.the same temperature as
___ 79. Cloud seeding is accomplished by the addition of ? to clouds. A.carbon monoxide B.silver
iodide C.all of the above D.none of the above
___ 80. ? is caused primarily by nocturnal radiational cooling. A.dew B.frost C.all of the above D.none
of the above
___ 81. Hail A.ranges in size from five to 190 millimeters B.consist of concentric milky rings due to
rapid freezing alternating with clear rings due to slow freezing C.are due to cycling pellets in large
updrafts and downdrafts D.commonly occur in thunderstorms 15 kilometers or more in height E.all of
the above are true concerning hail
___ 82. ? fog occurs where calm, humid air overlies a chilled land surface. A.radiation B.advection
C.steam D.upslope
___ 83. Which of the following is not a low cloud? A.stratus B.nimbostratus C.stratocumulus
D.altocumulus E.all of the above are low clouds
___ 84. Which of the following is true concerning frontal wedging? A.is responsible for most
precipitation in many areas B.warm, moist air acts as a barrier over which cooler air rises C.all of the
above are true D.none of the above is true
___ 85. Which of the following is true concerning rain? A.raindrops range in size from approximately
one to eight millimeters in diameter B.often start as snowflakes or hail within the cloud C.is the most
common type of precipitation D.all of the above are true E.none of the above is true
___ 86. A ring of light around the sun or moon due to refraction of sunlight by tiny ice crystals suspended
in the troposphere is a A.halo B.optical corona C.glory D.rainbow
___ 87. Which of the following is true concerning radiation cooling of clouds? A.tops of clouds become
cool due to radiation B.bottoms of clouds are warmer C.atmospheric instability is produced D.nocturnal
thunderstorms often result E.all of the above are true concerning radiation cooling of clouds
___ 88. ? clouds look like a comma resting on its side; they may indicate that rainy weather is "on the
way". A.fractus B.cumulus congestus C.mammatus D.lenticular E.cirrus uncinus
___ 89. Which of the following measure temperature? A.mercurial barometer B.aneroid barometer
C.barograph D.all of the above measure temperature E.none of the above measure temperature
___ 90. A colored ring around the moon or sun due to diffraction of light around spherical cloud droplets
is a A.glory B.rainbow C.optical corona D.halo
___ 91. In a neutral air layer the rising or descending air parcel will have ? temperature compared to its
surroundings. A.greater B.less C.the same
___ 92. ? rain gauges can be used for measurement of all types of precipitation. A.standard B.tipping
bucket C.weighing bucket D.all of the above can be used for measurement of all types of precipitation
___ 93. Which of the following is true concerning sleet? A.is also termed ice pellets B.usually produces
hazardous glaze C.is formed where water condenses in the warmer atmsophere and freezes at the ground
D.all of the above are true E.none of the above is true
___ 94. The greater the temperature, the ? the air pressure. A.greater B.less C.temperature does not
influence air pressure
___ 95. ? pressure typically represents a fair weather system. A.high B.low C.all of the above usually
represent fair weather systems D.none of the above represent fair weather systems
___ 96. The best explanation of a secondary rainbow is A.double reflection B.refraction around the
edges of water C.reflection off of ice particles D.all of the above create secondary rainbows
___ 97. ? clouds have great vertical extent. A.stratus B.cumulus
___ 98. A ? is a complex mirage that is characterized by objects being distorted in such a way as to
appear as castle-like figures. A.Fata Mogana B.Heiligenschein C.Optical Corona D.Sun Pillar E.Halo