Atmosphere/Air Masses/Pressure/Wind/Moisture/Stability/Clouds

Question 1

Natural air contains a variable amount of______ and _____.

Answer 1

water vapor and condensation nuclei

Question 2

The most important element of weather, usually not found above the troposphere, is _____.

Answer 2

moisture

Question 3

Atmospheric circulation occurs in a three-cell pattern because of uneven heating of the Earth’s surface, the 23.5 degree tilt of the Earth, and _______.

Answer 3

the Coriolis effect.

Question 4

The prevailing wind direction between 30 and 60 degrees latitudes moves FROM which direction?

Answer 4

West

Question 5

The basic characteristics of any air mass are (two things)

Answer 5

temperature and moisture

Question 6

Name a source region for a warm, moist air mass?

Answer 6

Gulf of Mexico

Bermuda High

Question 7

What classification would describe cold, dry air mass?

Answer 7

cP

Question 8

What classification would describe warm, moist air mass?

Answer 8

mT

Question 9

Four types of heat transfer

Answer 9

Conduction-physical contact
Convection-gas in a vertical movement
Advection-wind in a horizontal movement
Radiation- electromagnetic waves (insolation- from the sun; terrestrial- from Earth)

Question 10

A layer of air, characterized by an increase in temperature with altitude, is_____

Answer 10

temperature inversion

Question 11

What would prevent a radiation (nocturnal) temperature inversion?

Answer 11

Overcast skies (Greenhouse effect)

Question 12

Cold, dense air lifting warmer, less dense air is an example of what type of temperature inversion?

Answer 12

Frontal inversion (All fronts have a temperature inversion)

Question 13

What is standard MSL pressure in inches of mercury and mb?

Answer 13

29.92 Hg and 1013.2 hp/mb

Question 14

Sky conditions associated with low-pressure areas are normally produced by…

Answer 14

Rising and cooling of the air

Question 15

What is an isobar?

Answer 15

lines connecting points of equal pressure correct to sea level usually spaced 4mb apart.

Question 16

While flying parallel to the isobars above 2,000 feet ABL, the wind is approximately a head wind or tail wind and the pressure remains relatively constant. (T/F)

Answer 16

True

Question 17

The wind aloft or gradient wind circulation around a high pressure area is

Answer 17

clockwise and parallel to the isobars

Question 18

Surface wind that converges to the center is associated with (high/low) pressure areas, and surface wind that diverges from the center is associated with (high/low) pressure areas.

Answer 18

low

high

Question 19

You are flying a course of 045 degrees with steady crosswind from 135 degrees. Based upon the wind direction, what kind of pressure and general weather conditions would you expect ahead?

Answer 19

High pressure area with clear skies and weak pressure gradient force

Question 20

Flying on an easterly heading, you observe the aircraft drifting to the right. If you do not reset your altimeter as the flight progresses, you can expect the aircraft to be (higher/lower) than the indicated altitude.

Answer 20

lower

Question 21

In the Northern hemisphere, if your back is to the wind, the low pressure will be on your (right/left).

Answer 21

left

Question 22

Flying with left crosswind indicates flying toward a (low/high) pressure with possible altimeter errors and deteriorating weather.

Answer 22

low

Question 23

Flying with right crosswind indicates flying toward a (low/high) pressure with possible altimeter errors and improving weather.

Answer 23

high

Question 24

Which term belongs with the definition “ a direct change in moisture from vapor to a solid”?

Answer 24

deposition

sublimation-solid to gas

Question 25

A large temperature/dewpoint spread indicates (high/low) relative humidity?

Answer 25

low

Question 26

Air being lifted over a mountain range will cool on the windward side and heat up as it moves downslope on the leeward side. This temperature change is a result of the

Answer 26

adiabatic process

Question 27

You would expect more clouds to form in

Answer 27

air rising up a mountainside

Question 28

Two basic cloud forms

Answer 28

stratiform and cumuliform

Question 29

What family of cloud would indicate an unstable atmospher?

Answer 29

Cumulus CU

Question 30

Clouds associated with the nocturnal cooling process would be

Answer 30

low stratus and fog

Question 31

When the word nimbus is added to the names of a cloud is means

Answer 31

some form of precipitation is associated with the cloud.

Question 32

CU

Answer 32

vertical cloud without precipitation Cumulus

Question 33

CB

Answer 33

Vertical cloud producing rain Cumulonimbus

Question 34

SC

Answer 34

Cloud having both horizontal and vertical movements stratocumulus

Question 35

NS

Answer 35

horizontal cloud producing rain nimbostratus

Question 36

ST

Answer 36

horizontal cloud without rain stratus