Instructions: For each question, click on the radio button beside your answer. When you have completed the entire quiz, click the “Submit my answers” button at the bottom of the page to receive your results.

Question 1:

If the chance of precipitation is reported as being 40 per cent, what does this mean?
a) Precipitation will fall over 40 per cent of the forecast area.
b) The chance that precipitation will fall on any random point in the forecast area is 40 per cent.
c) Precipitation will fall during 40 per cent of the day.
d) If the sky is overcast there is a 40 per cent chance that precipitation will fall.

Question 2:

Which step in a weather forecast involves compiling and mapping the data that describe the current state of the atmosphere?
a) Diagnosis
b) Observation
c) Prognosis
d) Analysis

Question 3:

Which forecast method involves comparing a current weather pattern to weather patterns of the past?
a) Trend
b) Analog
c) Persistence
d) Climatology

Question 4:

Who attempted to develop a method for calculating weather forecasts?
a) Jacob Bjerknes
b) Lewis Fry Richardson
c) John Dalton
d) Robert Boyle

Question 5:

Which of the following statements about satellites is false?
a) Polar satellites orbit along longitudinal lines.
b) Visible satellite imagery is only available during the day.
c) The brightest images on infrared satellite imagery are the tops of low clouds.
d) Geostationary satellites orbit with the Earth and are always above the same spot.

Question 6:

Which features are NOT typically shown on surface weather maps?
a) Isotachs
b) Weather station symbols
c) Fronts
d) Centres of high and low pressures

Question 7:

When analyzing indicators of change on 500 hPa charts, which of the following is a way to take both vorticity advection and thermal advection into account?
a) The box method
b) The omega equation
c) The Coriolis parameter
d) Rossby waves

Question 8:

The 700 hPa upper-air chart is often used to provide information about which of the following?
a) Dew-point depression
b) Vorticity advection
c) Jet streaks
d) The boundary between rain and snow

Question 9:

Which upper air chart is used to forecast maximum temperatures?
a) 250 hPa
b) 500 hPa
c) 700 hPa
d) 850 hPa

Question 10:

Which of the following is used in an attempt to negate the chaotic nature of weather and improve forecasts?
a) Parameterization
b) Teleconnections
c) Ensemble forecasting
d) Prognostic charts

Question 11:

The rules of empirical forecasting have been developed based on observations.
a) True
b) False

Question 12:

Polar orbiting satellites pass over any location four times a day.
a) True
b) False

Question 13:

The placement of isobars on surface maps is more subjective than the placement of fronts.
a) True
b) False

Question 14:

The 700 hPa chart is the best one for recognizing omega highs.
a) True
b) False

Question 15:

Regional models are used for longer-term forecasts.
a) True
b) False

Higher Education

Weather and Climate: Chapter 15