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CDC URE > 5B-1 Climo, RAFP, And Fcst Reviews > Flashcards

5B-1 Climo, RAFP, And Fcst Reviews Flashcards

0
Q

Descriptive climatology usually deals with

A

Geographic regions

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1
Q

The average or collective store of the earth’s atmosphere at any given location or area within a specified period is known as

A

Climate

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2
Q

The temperature of an area depends on latitude, distribution of incoming and outgoing radiation, nature of the surface (land or water), altitude, and

A

Prevailing winds

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3
Q

Which climatic element is an important factor in the formation of fog over bodies of water?

A

Evaporation

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4
Q

Which climatic element becomes especially important in desert areas?

A

Condensation

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5
Q

Which is a vectorial average?

A

The resultant wind

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6
Q

The most commonly used climatological parameter is the

A

Mean

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7
Q

The extreme highest and lowest values for any given meteorological element recorded at a place of observation is known as the

A

Absolute

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8
Q

The highest and lowest value for any given meteorological element that has occurred over a particular period is known as the

A

Extreme

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9
Q

What are the two types of frequency distributions?

A

Continuous and discrete

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10
Q

Thunderstorm occurrences are an example of

A

Discrete data

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11
Q

The most common value in a frequency distribution is known as the

A

Mode

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12
Q

The type of deviation used most often in meteorological studies is the

A

Standard deviation

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13
Q

The climate of a region is impacted most by

A

Latitude

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14
Q

What sets the air in motion, tending to develop a general pattern of motion all over the earth?

A

Latitudinal difference in the earth’s heating

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15
Q

Coastal areas take on the temperature characteristics of the land or water

A

To their windward side

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16
Q

Why is the mean temperature of the Northern Hemisphere higher than that of the Southern Hemisphere?

A

There is more land in the Northern Hemisphere
Oceans in the Northern Hemisphere are warmer
Oceans of the Northern Hemisphere are more protected from cold polar waters by land barriers

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17
Q

Rome, Italy and New York City are approximately the same latitude, yet Rome has a much milder winter climate. What factor is mostly responsible for this?

A

East-west orientation of the Alps

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18
Q

What two general topographical features have the greatest affect on the climate of an area?

A

Altitude and mountain barriers

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19
Q

Which pressure centers are the major climatic controls affecting climate?

A

Semipermanent pressure centers

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20
Q

The principal cause of the surface ocean currents is the

A

Frictional effect of wind

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21
Q

A secondary cause of the surface ocean currents is the

A

density differences due to salinity and temperature variations

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22
Q

Upwelling is the process by which

A

Subsurface water is displaced toward the surface

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23
Q

What are the two fastest ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere?

A

Kuroshio System and the Gulf Stream

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24
Q

The Gulf Stream System is made up of the

A

Florida Current, the Gulf Stream, and the North Atlantic Current

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25
Q

The northern extension of the Gulf Stream system is called the

A

North Atlantic Current

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26
Q

Although it is a high latitude, the climatic region of northwestern Europe has a somewhat moderate temperature in winter. This is due to the

A

Effects of the North Atlantic Current

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27
Q

Which North Atlantic current is similar to the Kuroshio current in its flow and climatological influence?

A

Florida Current

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28
Q

What are the two best clues for locating the North Pacific Current?

A

Temperature and salinity

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29
Q

In the fall, upwelling along the California coast gives way to a countercurrent that flows northward along the coast to about 48 deg latitude. What is the name of that countercurrent?

A

Davidson Current

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30
Q

In the Southern Hemisphere, surface ocean circulations are much the same as in the Northern Hemisphere, except that the circulations move

A

Counterclockwise in response to the winds around the subtropical highs

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31
Q

Which statement reflects the relationship between open land and forests on wind speed at the same latitude?

A

Open land wind speeds are higher

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32
Q

What is the effect of large human settlements on temperatures?

A

Daily maximum and minimum temperatures are higher

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33
Q

If the boundaries of the hot belt are determined by given isotherms, the width of the zone

A

Increases over the continents

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34
Q

A climatic province that is classified as humid mesothermal by Koppen is the

A

Oceanic moderate

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35
Q

Koppen’s climate classification is based mainly on temperature, precipitation amount, and season of maximum precipitation. These elements were selected primarily because of their effect on

A

Plant growth

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36
Q

Thornthwaite’s classification of climates places a great deal of emphasis on the effectiveness of precipitation, which is the relationship between precipitation and

A

Evaporation at a certain place

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37
Q

Trewartha’s climatic classification states that mountainous (highland H) climates are difficult to group climatologically on a small scale map due to the added

A

Vertical dimension and the markedly change in atmospheric conditions

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38
Q

An area has a stationary air mass over its coastline and the land surface is warmer then the sea surface because of radiational heating. In what direction do local winds blow?

A

From water to land during the day and from land to water at night.

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39
Q

What type of modified air mass is observed over India and Burma during the winter monsoon season?

A

Continental polar

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40
Q

The equivalent chill factor depends on the

A

Temperature and wind

41
Q

The heat index depends on the

A

Temperature and relative humidity

42
Q

What temperature is used as a constant in the equation for computing cooling degree days?

A

65

43
Q

What climatological product is produced to provide professional engineers with useful information in the design and maintenance of building?

A

Engineering weather data (EWD)

44
Q

As a general rule, which of the following climatological products is reviewed prior to issuing any forecast?

A

Winds stratified conditional climatology (WSCC)

45
Q

What size of an area do macro scale systems influence?

A

1,500 nautical miles

46
Q

Which type of analysis covers an area of sufficient size to identify systems affecting a forecaster’s area of operation?

A

Synoptic scale analysis

47
Q

Which is false concerning the classification of systems?

A

Local winds, temperatures, and clouds are not influenced by mesoscale systems.

48
Q

Which of the following is a synoptic system?

A

Warm front!
Mesohigh - mesoscale
Mesocyclone - mesoscale
Radar thin line - mesoscale

49
Q

Which if the following is a mesoscale system?

A

Mesolow!
Long wave trough - macro scale
Short wave trough - macro scale
Semi-permanent cyclone - macro scale

50
Q

A synoptic or mesoscale weather pattern that affects the weather at a particular location defines

A

A weather regime

51
Q

What often determines the name of a synoptic weather regime?

A

Development region and system type

52
Q

Which of the following information is not available via the MetTIPs?

A

Specific regime forecasting checklists for every weather unit in the CONUS

53
Q

This analytical process involves analyzing at the largest scale first, then focusing downward to the smallest scale?

A

Forecast funnel

54
Q

The affect that the zonal index has on the speed and movement of synoptic systems is a

A

High zonal index that would cause systems to speed up and move from the west to east

55
Q

What affect does the amplitude of a long wave trough or ridge have on surface systems?

A

A large amplitude long wave trough would cause a low located ahead of it to deepen due to the strong divergence

56
Q

What affect does the amplitude of a long wave trough or ridge have on surface systems?

A

A large amplitude long wave ridge would cause a high located ahead of it to build due to the strong convergence

57
Q

Which products are considered standard for detecting the long wave pattern?

A

Satellite water vapor analysis, 5-wave analysis chart, and 500 mb hemispheric charts

58
Q

How is synoptic regime information categorized?

A

Geographical region, long wave pattern, and surface features

59
Q

How do most units document regime information in their TFRN or LAFP?

A

Documented regime information will be specific to their location

60
Q

Which is NOT an example of a regime specific forecasting approach?

A

Performing standard isobaric analysis of surface charts as outlined by routine station procedures

61
Q

Suggested times spent on interrogating different atmospheric scales are

A

10 percent macro scale, 30 percent synoptic, and 60 percent mesoscale and local

62
Q

What two steps are followed to document your synoptic analysis on a forecast worksheet?

A

Identification and interrogation

63
Q

Which statement BEST describes the first verification in the VIV process?

A

Verify the previous 12-hour forecast positions with the current 00-hour forecast positions for the same time

64
Q

Which statement BEST describes the second verification in the VIV process?

A

Verify the 12-hour forecast positions with analysis of real-time dats for the same time, such as MetSAT analysis

65
Q

Which part of the forecast worksheet is used to record forecast justification for each weather element in a forecast?

A

Forecast reasoning

66
Q

Which area is favorable for the development and formation of storm centers, due to geographical and climatological conditions?

A

Northern portions of the Gulf of Mexico

67
Q

This US weather region is dominated by a cold high in the midwinter that prevents storm systems from moving into it is the

A

West central intermountain area

68
Q

This US weather regions’ main weather hazards are caused by wintertime outbreaks along the polar front and associated wave phenomena

A

Central Plains area

69
Q

Which US weather region is an area of storm track convergence?

A

Northeastern area

70
Q

The Atlantic Ocean modifies weather along the east coast of Canada by keeping the east coast

A

Summers cooler and winters warmer than inland regions

71
Q

Where would you expect predominantly wet, cloudy, and relatively warm winter weather in Canada?

A

East coast region

72
Q

Relatively warm temperatures exist in Alaska during the summer due to the

A

Increased solar insolation and decreased clouds

73
Q

What mountain chain separates France from Spain and how is it oriented?

A

Pyrenees; oriented west to east

74
Q

India encounters an abundance of precipitation (425 inches or more) annually due to

A

Southwest monsoon and associated onshore flow

75
Q

What is the most important climatic element in Africa?

A

Precipitation

76
Q

What is a forecast review?

A

An after-the-fact review of the observations, analyses, and forecast aids there were available to the forecaster

77
Q

What is the difference between a forecast study and a review?

A

A study requires more work analyzing data and the info is documented at greater length

78
Q

What is a forecast seminar?

A

A presentation developed and performed by weather personnel for the purpose of giving or discussing weather information

79
Q

What is the purpose of a forecast review?

A

Improve forecasting

80
Q

Forecast reviews will generally fall under the following four categories:

A

Forecast evaluation
Failed to follow forecast procedures
Outstanding forecast
Significant weather event

81
Q

What is a forecast evaluation?

A

The process of determine forecast accuracy against the observed weather

82
Q

A review accomplished for failing to follow forecast procedures should include

A

The forecast procedures that were improperly followed, the consequences of those actions, and the procedures that you should have followed

83
Q

Which would be useful for testing and developing new forecast techniques?

A

Forecast study

84
Q

What is the first step in developing a forecast review or study?

A

Compile pertinent data

85
Q

When accomplishing a forecast review or study, what type of meteorological model data should you compile?

A

All the meteorological models available to the forecaster

86
Q

Why is it important to scan forecasts from the surrounding area when accomplishing a forecast review or study?

A

To search for accurate forecasts in an effort to open a line of communication with the responsible forecasters and get the information that led to their accurate forecast

87
Q

The purpose of reanalyzing the compiled data is to

A

Correct mistakes and find featured that were originally missed

88
Q

After reanalyzing the data for a forecast review or study, what analysis approach should be used to construct a logical three-dimensional description of the atmosphere?

A

Forecast funnel

89
Q

A chronological list of weather events and their potential causes would best define

A

Event scenario

90
Q

How can the process of determining the root causes of a weather episode differ for a review versus a study?

A

Developing a review requires you to determine the root causes missed in your original reasoning, while a study requires you to present all the causes in your documentation.

91
Q

In documenting a forecast review, the purpose of providing a synoptic description is to

A

Provide an introduction and rough guide to the synoptic classification

92
Q

When documenting a forecast review, why is it necessary to include your original reasoning?

A

It can indicate better ways to do the job as well as define any misinterpretations of existing guidance

93
Q

What is the purpose of a forecast review if the causes of the weather are imperfectly known?

A

To help build a database used to improve the knowledge/understanding of the event

94
Q

What is the most important section of the documented forecast review?

A

Lessons learned

95
Q

Which is NOT one of the steps in devolving a forecast seminar?

A

Construct a manuscript

96
Q

What is the first step in researching the subject?

A

Determine what you already know before looking elsewhere

97
Q

What is the three-part arrangement that MOST communication follows?

A

Introduction, body, conclusion

98
Q

What is the underlying purpose of having audio-visual aids in a forecast seminar presentation?

A

To help relay your message

99
Q

What is the BEST way to get over being uncomfortable speaking in front of people?

A

Rehearsing

CDC URE (9 decks)

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