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Hurricanes And WX327 > Final Exam (Quiz Questions) > Flashcards

Final Exam (Quiz Questions) Flashcards

1
Q

Tropical Cyclones_______________

A

Have no frontal systems attached, are warm core low pressure systems that form over subtropical oceans, produce persistent organized thunderstorm activity

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2
Q

What moth has the most hurricane activity in the North Atlantic Ocean

A

September

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3
Q

Which of the following is NOT a necessary ingredient for tropical cyclone development

A

Vertical wind shear > 20kt

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4
Q

Warm-core tropical cyclones form over sea-surface temperatures cooler than 26 C

A

False

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5
Q

The intensity threshold for a major hurricane is ______________

A

100kt

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6
Q

A major hurricane is defined as a category___________hurricane.

A

Three, four, and five

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7
Q

Major Hurricanes are responsible for_______ of all damage that occurs

A

90%

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8
Q

Wind pressure on structures is linear and is directly proportional to the wind speed

A

False

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9
Q

Tropical Waves are a combination of two wind fields: ________ and ________

A

Background easterly gradient flow, eddy flow

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10
Q

Since 1970, global tropical cyclone frequency and intensity have been increasing.

A

False

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11
Q

Which of the following weather systems is NOT a pre-existing disturbance that could trigger tropical cyclone formation:

A

Upper-level anticyclone

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12
Q

_______ is the most important genesis and intensity modulating factor

A

Vertical Wind Shear

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13
Q

A typical tropical wave is characterized by _______ located on the ______ of the wave axis

A

Low-level convergence, rising motion, and thunderstorms; east side

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14
Q

Which of the following parameters does not affect hurricane intensity: _________

A

Time of year

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15
Q

Which tropical cyclone hazard has the greatest potential to cause large loss of life:

A

Storm Surge

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16
Q

There have been _____ Cat 5 Hurricane landfalls in the United States

A

Four

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17
Q

“Storm Surge” is an abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above the predicted astronomical tide, which typically occurs on the _______ side where the winds are blowing __________.

A

Right, onshore

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18
Q

Which of the following is NOT a significant factor in producing storm surge:

A

Central Pressure

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19
Q

In general, ______ -moving tropical cyclones tend to produce________ rainfall amounts

A

Slow; heavy

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20
Q

Relative to a landfalling tropical cyclone’s forward motion, the _______ quadrant is most favorable region for tornado development

A

Right-front

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21
Q

A hurricane reconnaissance aircraft penetrates the center of a tropical cyclone and measures a peak 850-mb flight-level wind speed of 80kt. The equivalent 1-minute 10-meter wind speed is approximately_____ and this system would be classified as a _________

A
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22
Q

Land-based weather radars can track the center of tropical cyclones and also provide rainfall information. Moreover, Doppler radars such as the NOAA/National Weather Service WSR-88D radars can also provide velocity data to assess the intensity of tropical cyclones

A

True

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23
Q

Although súrcate observation platforms/sites are not located at the same elevation above earth’s surface, the data can still be used as is without being adjusted to a standard altitude

A

False

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24
Q

Hurricane reconnaissance aircraft interrogating tropical cyclones obtain wind data at flight level(s), which are then adjusted down to a near-surface wind speed. In addition to flight-level wind data, dropwindsondes are released in the storm that measure: (a) the average wind speed in the lowest 500 meters (MBL), (b) the average wind speed in the lowest 150 meters (WL150), and (c) a 1-second-surface wind speed. However, the _________ wind data are considered to be the most accurate for determining an equivalent 1-minute 10-meter wind speed.

A

WL150

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25
Q

Weather satellites are the “first line of defense” for tracking assessing and forecasting tropical cyclones, especially when these storm systems are located over open ocean areas where reconnaissance aircraft data are unavailable for various reasons. Geostationary satellites can observe______ of the tropical regions at a __________ resolution , whereas polar orbiting satellites can observe_______ of the tropical regions at a ______ resolution

A

All areas, lower, limited areas, higher

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26
Q

The National Hurricane Center uses a _______ wind speed at _______ elevation to indicate the intensity of tropical cyclones.

A

1-minute average; 10-meters

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27
Q

A tropical cyclone is moving toward the United States, Using the Power Law Equation (below) for the boundary layer winds over the ocean, a 1-minute average wind speed of 100kt (U1) at 4.1 meters elevation is approx equal to a ________ wind speed (U2) at 10 meters elevation

U2=U1(Z2/Z1)^P

A

90 kts

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28
Q

A device called the Stepped-Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) onboard Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance aircraft indirectly determines near-surface wind speeds by measuring upwelled microwave radiation emitted by ocean foam that is created by surface winds. These wind data ________ be contaminated/inflated by rainfall.

A

Can

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29
Q

The Global Surface Observing System/Network ________ sufficient to accurately determine the intensity of tropical cyclones; in addition, the Global Upper-Air Observing Network________ sufficient to accurately determine the intensity of Tropical Cyclones.

A
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30
Q

Wind Speeds within the frictional boundary layer ________ with increasing altitude ________

A

Increase; logarithmically

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31
Q

On a non-rotating earth, a global Hadley cell forms as a result of cold air rising over the Poles and warm air sinking over the equator

A

False

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32
Q

Look at picture in #2 Quiz #3
The image below is a schematic of the northern hemispheric mid- and high-level flow pattern on Earth. Superimposed onto the global-scale, circular background flow pattern are _____________ circulations that produce ________ and ________ circulations that produce __________

A

Cyclonic eddy, troughs of lower pressure, anticyclonic eddy, troughs of higher pressure

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33
Q

A ______ cell is thermally________ circulation and a ________ cell is a thermally ________ circulation

A

Hadley, direct, Ferrel, indirect

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34
Q

The Walker Circulation is an east-to-west orientated Hadley Cell near the equator that forms as a result of _______ over the ________ Pacific Ocean and __________ over the __________ Pacific Ocean.

A

Cold air sinking, eastern, warm air rising, western

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35
Q

During El Niño warm-oceanic episodes in the eastern pacific, the Pacific Ocean Walker Circulation weakens and reverses the normal direction of the wind flow As a result, upper-level winds across the tropical Atlantic Ocean increase from a westerly direction, which acts to increase vertical wind shear and decrease tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic basin.

A

True

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36
Q

Tropical waves originate of form over

A

The Ethiopian highlands

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37
Q

The African Easterly Mid-level Jet (AEMLJ) is a band of strong mid-level winds that blows from _________ and lies between the dry Saharan regions and moist sub-Saharan regions. This meteorological festutre result in the enhancement of tropical waves to the ___________ of the jet

A

Eats-to west, south

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38
Q

Horizontal cyclonic speed shear located on the southern, or equatorward, side of the Africa Easterly Mid-Level jet can _________ tropical waves after they develop and move ________ away from the Ethiopian Plateau

A

Strengthen, westward

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39
Q

Q9 Quiz #3
Correctly identify , in numerical order, the three weather features

A

1- extra tropical low pressure system, 2- tropical wave, 3- Bermuda-Azores high pressure system

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40
Q

Over Africa during the northern-hemisphere summer, the Monsoon Trough Lies to the _______ of the African Easterly Mid-Level Jet and within a ______ air mass

A

North; dry

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41
Q

For a low pressure system to be classified as a tropical cyclone, it must possess a ________ structure and have persistent __________ convection.

A

Warm-core, organized

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42
Q

A low pressure system that has a frontal system through the center of the low would be __________ cyclone

A

An extra tropical

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43
Q

Tropical Cyclones are generally only “warm core” above 925-mb level due to low-level diabetic cooling effects of rain, cool downdrafts, land, and ocean temps

A

True

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44
Q

Latent Heat released by deep convection that flows inward toward the center is concentrated near the convective comma head where upper-level convergences focuses the warmer and less dense air even more over the surface low, causing pressures to decrease and the tropical cyclone’s winds to increase.

A

True

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45
Q

The ________ of a hurricane is a thermally __________ circulation, while the ________ is thermally _________ circulation.

A

Eye, indirect, outer wind field, direct

46
Q

A unique characteristic of a mature tropical cyclone is the formation of a generally cloud-free ‘eye’ where winds are nearly calm. Surrounding the eye is a ring of __________ called the ________.

A

Deep convection, eyewall

47
Q

In a mature hurricane, the eye and eyewall slope __________ with height, producing a _________ effect.

A

Outward, stadium

48
Q

Q8&9Quiz #4
Use the tropical cyclone “maximum potential intensity” nomogram below. Given an inflow temp of 25 degC and an outflow temp of -60degC, the minimum pressure that a tropical cyclone could theoretically achieve would be ________mb

A

960, (inflow for 9 is 30 deg C) = 930

49
Q

Q10 Quiz #4
Use the tropopause temperature (TT) and the SeaSurface Temp (SST) maps below. Based on the availiable TT and SST data, identify the location where the minimum pressure for a tropical cyclone would theoretically be the lowest

A

D

50
Q

The visible and enhanced infrared (EIR) Dvorak Satellite Intensity Estimation Techniques are objective processes that involve no user input

A

False

51
Q

The Dvorak Satellite intensity estimation techniques provide a direct measurement of a tropical cyclones wind speed, providing output that is as accurate as surface observational or reconnaissance aircraft wind speed data

A

False

52
Q

Of the various Dvorak satellite estimation technique cloud patterns/scene types, the _________ pattern is considered to produce the most reliable intensity estimates.

A

Eye

53
Q

The advance Dvorak technique (ADT) utilizes long wave infrared, temperature measurements from geostationary satellites to estimate tropical cyclone (TC) intensity, and is __________ process that requires ___________ user input.

A

An objective, no

54
Q

The CIMSS Satellite Consensus (SATCON) product only utilizes tropical cyclone intensity estimates from the ADT and AiDT objective intensity estimation techniques

A

False

55
Q

Q7 Quiz#7
Use the enhanced infrared (EIR) curved band pattern shown in Figure A and the Data-T number (DT) scale in Figure B. The log 10 spiral band overlay depicts ________ banding, which yields a DT of __________.

A

0.60 or 6/10’s, 3

56
Q

Q8 Quiz #5
Use the enhanced infrared (EIR) shear pattern shown in figure A and the Data T number (DT) scale in Figure B. Relative to the center position, the shear pattern yields a DT of___________.

A

<3/4 degree or <45 nmi; 2.5

57
Q

Q9 Quiz#5
Use the Enhanced Infared (EIR) embedded center pattern shown in figure A and the Central Feature number (CF) scale in Figure B. Relative to center position, the embedded center pattern yields a CF and Data T-number (DT) of ___________.

A

4.5

58
Q

Q10 Quiz #5
Use the Enhanced Infrared (EIR) Eye pattern shown in figure A and the eye adjustment charts in Figure B. Assume an eye temp of +5 degrees C or Off white (OW) shade. This Eye Pattern produces a Central Feature (CF) and Data T-number (DT) of __________.

A

6.0

59
Q

Which of the following is NOT a characteristics of passive microwave satellite imagery:

A

Provide direct measurements of hurricane-force wind speeds

60
Q

Although surface observation platforms/instruments are not located at the same elevation above Earth’s surface, the data can still be used as they are without being adjusted to a standard height

A

False

61
Q

Wind speeds within the frictional boundary layer ___________ with increasing altitude___________

A

Increase, logarithmically

62
Q

Active microwave satellites called scatterometers are essentially radars that transmit microwave pulses down to Earth’s surface, and then measure the power that is returned back to the instrument by small capillary waves moving across the top of larger ocean waves.

A

True

63
Q

A device called the Stepped-Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) onboard Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance aircraft indirectly determines near-surface wind speeds by measuring upwelled microwave radiation emitted by ocean foam that is created by surface winds. These wind data cannot be contaminated or inflated by rainfall

A

False

64
Q

Scatterometer-derived surface wind data (ASCAT) are useful for assessing the peak intensity of strong (> or equal to 55 kt) tropical storms and hurricanes, especially if the radius of maximum winds is small (<25 km) due to the ~25km resolution or “footprint”

A

False

65
Q

ASCAT-derived wind speed data can be contaminated by “rain splash” and breaking waves, causing a low-speed bias.

A

False

66
Q

________ is not a necessary ingredient for tropical cyclone development

A

Vertical wind shear >30 kt

67
Q

Major hurricanes are responsible for _______ of all damages that occurs

A

90%

68
Q

Wind pressure on structures is _________ proportional to the square of the wind speed (V^2), which means that a _________ change in pressure on structures or objects

A

Directly, small, large

69
Q

Tropical waves are a combination of two wind fields; ________ and __________

A

Background easterly gradient flow; eddy flow

70
Q

___________ is not a pre existing disturbance that could trigger tropical cyclone formation

A

Upper-level anticyclone

71
Q

The most important genesis and intensity modulating parameter is ___________

A

Vertical Wind Shear (VWS)

72
Q

A typical tropical wave is characterized by ________ located on the _________ of the wave axis.

A

Low-level convergence, rising motion, and thunderstorms, east side

73
Q

Which of the following parameters is NOT a significant factor in producing storm surge

A

Central Pressure (mb/HPa/ in Hg)

74
Q

In general, _____ moving tropical cyclones tend to produce ________ rainfall amounts

A

Slow, heavy

75
Q

A good estimate for a 24hr rainfall total for a tropical cyclone forecast to move across an area at a forward speed of 20 kts would be ______in

A

5

76
Q

Q29 Midterm
Relative to this landfalling tropical cyclone’s motion, location _________ is the most favorable region for tornadoes to occur

A

A

77
Q

For a low pressure system to be classified as a tropical cyclone, it must possess a ________ structure and have persisted _________ convection.

A

Warm inner-core, organized

78
Q

Q39 Midterm
Consider the two passive microwave satellite images below. The 37 GHz microwave channel represents the _______ of a tropical cyclone and the 85 GHz channel is representative of the ________ of a tropical cyclone.

A

Low-levels, mid levels

79
Q

Consider the two passive microwave satellite images below. This is a classic example of the “stadium effect,” where the eye and the eyewall slope ________ with _________ height

A

Outward, increasing

80
Q

The Dvorak Satellite Intensity Estimation Technique is an subjective analysis process that requires no user input

A

False

81
Q

To a first order approximation, tropical cyclone motion is governed by the conservation of relative vorticity, which means that the TC vortex moves with the large-scale steering flow _________

A

Like a cork in a stream or river

82
Q

Changes in the inner core structure of a tropical cyclone play a significant role in a TC’s future track

A

False

83
Q

Tropical cyclone (TC) intensity forecasting, similar to track forecasting, requires proper positioning of the center, especially when the only available intensity estimation technique is derived from Dvorak subjective and/or objective (ADT) satellite data.

A

True

84
Q

The best way to forecast tropical cyclone intensity is to use the

A

Consensus of the best performing statistical-dynamic and dynamic intensity models

85
Q

Power returned (Pr) to a radar is _________ related to the Power Transmitted (Pt) and _______ related to the target range (R^2)

A

Directly, inversely

86
Q

Wavelength λ, is a key design consideration for weather radars because ________ wavelength radar signals require a _______ diameter antenna in order for the radar signal to remain concentrated

A

Long (λ>10 cm), large

87
Q

Electromagnetic Energy (E-M) emitted by weather radars is ionizing radiation that can adversely affect DNA and other genetic material in your body

A

False

88
Q

A _________ wavelength (λ) radar can suffer from precip attenuation, resulting in the displayed intensity of storms appearing to be ______ than their actual intensity. This is a particular problem with aircraft weather-avoidance radars

A

Short (λ<5 cm), weaker

89
Q

Power Returned (Pr) to a radar is directly related to the Target Reflectivity (Z). As a result of this physical premise, ________ targets return ______ power compared to ______ targets

A

Larger, more, smaller

90
Q

Q6 Quiz #8
Consider the reflectivity image below. Assuming a near-surface standard lapse rate, the altitude of the target(s) at location “A” _______ the altitude of the target(s) at location “B”

A

Is lower than

91
Q

Q7 Quiz #8
The radar equivalent reflectivity at location “A” is 30 dBZ which is the same equivalent reflectivity at location “B” Assuming that the dropsize distribution is the same at both locations, the rainfall rate at location “A” would be ___________ the rainfall rate at location “B”.

A

Identical to

92
Q

Q8 Quiz #8
The positive velocity value at location “A” indicate target motion _______ the radar site while negative velocity values at location “B” indicate target motion _______ the radar site

A

Away from; toward

93
Q

Q9 Quiz#8
The Doppler velocity values at location “C” are -20kt. Based on this information, a forecaster could accurately assume that the actual wind speeds at Location “C” are at least 20 kt

A

True

94
Q

Dual-polaraization radars can better determine if the precip particles are rain or hail by comparing the difference between the horizontal power returned and the vertical power returned, which is called Differential Reflectivity or Zdr. This feature of the WSR-88D weather surveillance Doppler radar is helpful in distinguishing between rain and the large water-coated hailstones due to rain drops returning more power and reflectivity in the vertical plane (Zv) than the horizontal plane (Zh)

A

False

95
Q

To a first order approximation, the primary factor affecting TC rainfall total is ______

A

Movement-forward speed

96
Q

Different precip regimes accompany the seasonal Indian-Asian wind shifts ______ season with _______ flow in the summer and a _______ season with ________ flow in the winter

A

Rainy, onshore, dry, offshore

97
Q

One of the four classical criterion for a monsoon, as specified by Ramage (1971), is a shift in the direction of the prevailing winds by at least ________ degrees between January and July

A

120

98
Q

A monsoonal wind flow pattern is not a giant Hadley Cell Circulation

A

False

99
Q

Q5 Quiz #9
The hemispheric surface flow pattern depicts a typical _______ hemisphere ______ monsoon pattern and a typical ________ hemisphere ________ monsoon pattern

A

Northern, dry, southern, rainy

100
Q

Q6 Quiz #9
The hemispheric surface flow pattern depicts a typical ________ hemisphere __________ monsoon pattern and a typical _______ hemisphere ________ monsoon pattern

A

Northern, rainy, southern, dry

101
Q

In the western North Pacific basin, there is a tendency during El Niño years for tropical cyclones to be ___________ and ______________ than during La Niña years

A

More intense, longer lived

102
Q

A cat 5 hurricane makes landfall along the gulf coast at 10 kt and then moves inland/overland at 5kt. The estimated total max rainfall that can be expected (storm total rainfall = 100/storm motion)

A

Aprox 20 inches

103
Q

In the Atlantic Ocean basin, there is a tendency during El Niño years for tropical cyclones to be _________and _________ than during La Niña years

A

Less intense, shorter lived

104
Q

The monsoon Trough Patterns over the Western North Pacific, Western South Pacific, Northern Indian, and Southern Indian Ocean basins are not affected El Niño southern oscillation (ENSO) or Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) events due to the monsoon circulations very large size

A

False

105
Q

Unlike homes and businesses located on barrier islands, civilian and military airport complexes near the U.S coastline are not susceptible to storm-surge flooding

A

False

106
Q

Tropical cyclones, especially major hurricanes/typhoons do not produce severe turbulence outside of the intense eyewall convection

A

False

107
Q

Medicanes are tropical cyclones that develop over the Mediterranean Sea, primarily during the warm and summer season

A

False

108
Q

Medicanes are generally smaller than Atlantic subtropical cyclones typically having asymmetric cloud pattern in satellite imagery, and occasionally possess a distinct round eye encircled by atmospheric convection

A

True

109
Q

Although medicanes are similar in appearance to tropical and subtropical cyclones they are not capable of producing hurricane force winds due to the surface cyclones forming beneath large upper-level cold low-pressure systems

A

False

110
Q

The primary hazard associated with medicanes is

A

Rain-induced freshwater flooding

Hurricanes And WX327 (15 decks)

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