Meterorology Theory Part 1

Question 1

What percent water vapour is in the air?

Answer 1

0-5%

Question 2

What is the temperature at the Tropopause?

Answer 2

Minus 56.5 degrees Celsius

Question 3

Define Temperature

Answer 3

Temperature:
A measure of the average kinetic energy contained in a substance; the more kinetic energy the more molecules move and collide with each other

Question 4

Define Heat

Answer 4

Heat Energy:
• A measure of the energy that may be transferred from one body to another
• Often an input of Heat
Energy = an increase in
temperature

Question 5

Define adiabatic heating/coolong

Answer 5

Change in temperature WITHOUT the transfer of heat energy

Question 6

What is the relationship between temperature and moisture?

Answer 6

The higher the temperature the greater the amount of water vapour can be held in a parcel of air

Question 7

What is saturated air?

Answer 7

Air that contains all the water vapour it can hold at a given temperature.

Question 8

The temperature at which a parcel of air reaches 100% saturation

Answer 8

Dew point temperature

Question 9

Relative Humidity

Answer 9

Amount of water vapour in the air divided by the amount of water at saturation x 100

Question 10

Fog or mist is likely when

Answer 10

There exists a narrow Temp/dew point spread (3 degrees C or less) AND there exists Moderate temperatures (5-20 degrees)

Question 11

The horizontal mo movement of air from regions of high pressure to regions of low pressure is known as

Answer 11

Wind

Question 12

A clockwise change in wind direction is called

Answer 12

Veering

Question 13

A counter-clockwise change in wind direction is called

Answer 13

Backing

Question 14

Define cyclonic flow

Answer 14

Air moves counter-clockwise and into the centre of a low

Question 15

Air Convergence

Answer 15

Usually accompanies cyclonic flow and air meets in the middle and rises.

Question 16

Rising air cools adiabatically, and clouds tend to form in what type of high or low system?

Answer 16

Low because of the air expands, it cools and gives off clouds.

Question 17

Anti-cyclonic flow air moves _____

Answer 17

Clockwise and outward from a high.

Question 18

Usually, high pressure is accompanied by _____

Answer 18

Subsidence (descending air) that causes adiabatic heating and acts against cloud formation.

Question 19

With regards to wind, what is likely to happen below 3000 feet AGL?

Answer 19

The wind will back in direction and decrease in speed. That’s because below 3000 feet AGL friction with the earth becomes a factor.

Question 20

Above 3000 feet AGL, wind will

Answer 20

Flow parallel to the isobars

Question 21

If isobars are close together, wind will be ______

Answer 21

Strong

Question 22

If isobars are relatively far apart, then the wind will be…

Answer 22

Relatively weaker

Question 23

With regards to isobars, how will the wind flow?

Answer 23

Wind flows parallel to the isobars

Question 24

Prevailing winds in the Arctic are

Answer 24

Polar Easterlies.

Question 25

Water heats up _____ and cools down _____ than air

Answer 25

Slower, slower

Question 26

Define Air Mass

Answer 26

A large section of the troposphere with uniform properties of temperature and moisture content.

Question 27

What characterizes a continental air mass?

Answer 27

Dry - air mask forms over Oceans

Question 28

What character characterizes a maritime air mass?

Answer 28

Moist - air mask forms over Oceans.

Question 29

What are the characteristics of an arctic air mass?

Answer 29

Cold air-forms in the high Arctic

Question 30

What are the characteristics of a polar air mass?

Answer 30

Cool air forms in subpolar regions

Question 31

What are the characteristics of a tropical air mass?

Answer 31

Warm air forms in tropical regions

Question 32

A narrow transition zone between two air masses is known as

Answer 32

A front

Question 33

Frontal passage will always bring changes in:

Answer 33

Temperature Barometric pressure Wind speed Wind direction

Question 34

What are the effects on temperature, barometric pressure, and wind when a COLD front passes?

Answer 34

Temperature-dramatic decrease Barometric pressure-dramatic decrease as front approaches, steady rise as front passes Wind speed and direction-wind will veer and increase, may become gusty

Question 35

A warm front is better defined as

Answer 35

The trailing edge of a retreating cold air mass.

Question 36

What are the effects on temperature, barometric pressure, and wind when a WARM front passes?

Answer 36

Temperature - gradual increase Baro - gradual decrease as the front approaches, then small decrease as the front pass Wind - wind will veer and increase, smaller changes than in a cold front

Question 37

Define Occluded Front

Answer 37

When warm air is cut off from the ground by a cold air mass

Question 38

What are the characteristics of an occluded front?

Answer 38

Slow moving Weather associated last a long time

Question 39

Regardless of type of front, Frontal weather depends on 3 things.

Answer 39

1. Moisture Content of warm air mass 2. Stability of warm air mass 3. Speed / Steepness of Front

Question 40

Result of a cold front:

Answer 40

Question 41

Result of a warm front:

Answer 41