2008 Meteorology Event
Base your answers to questions 1 through 3 on Data Tables I and II and on the Hurricane
Tracking Map below. Table I represents the storm track data for an Atlantic hurricane. Location,
wind velocity, air pressure, and storm strength are shown for the storm’s center at 3 p.m.
Greenwich time each day. Table II shows a scale of relative storm strength. The map shows the
hurricane’s path.
1. Describe two characteristics of the circulation pattern of the surface winds around the
center (eye) of a Northern Hemisphere low-pressure hurricane. [2]
2. The hurricane did not continue moving toward the same compass direction during the
entire period shown by the data table. Explain why the hurricane changed direction. [1]
3. In the space provided below, calculate the average daily rate of movement of the
hurricane during the period from 3 p.m. August 24 to 3 p.m. August 28. The hurricane
traveled 2,600 kilometers during this 4-day period. Follow the directions given below.
a. Write the equation used to determine the rate of change.
b. Substitute data into the equation. [1]
c. Calculate the rate and label it with the proper units. [1]
For questions, 4 and 5, choose the BEST answer for each question by circling the letter.
4. Meteorologists have grouped air masses into this number of major categories: [1]
a. three
b. four
c. five
d. six
e. seven
5. The damage caused by a tornado is often assessed by the: [1]
a. Saffir-Simpson scale
b. Integrated Wind scale
c. Fujita Scale
d. Zephyr scale
e. Coriolis scale
Base your answers to questions 6 through 10 on the weather satellite photograph of a portion of
the United States and Mexico below. The photograph shows the clouds of a major hurricane
approaching the eastern coastline of Texas and Mexico. The calm center of the hurricane, the
eye, is labeled.
6. This hurricane has a pattern of surface winds typical of all low-pressure systems in the
Northern Hemisphere. On the satellite photograph provided, draw three arrows on the
clouds to show the direction of the surface wind movement outside the eye of the
hurricane.[1]
7. Cloud droplets form around small particles in the atmosphere. Describe how the
hurricane clouds formed from water vapor. Include the terms “dewpoint” and either
“condensation” or “condense” in your answer. [1]
8. State the latitude and longitude of the hurricane’s eye. The compass directions must be
included in the answer. [1]
9. At the location shown in the photograph, the hurricane had maximum winds recorded at
110 miles per hour. Within a 24-hour period, the hurricane moved 150 miles inland and
had maximum winds of only 65 miles per hour. State why the wind velocity of a
hurricane usually decreases when the hurricane moves over a land surface. [1]
10. a. State two dangerous conditions, other than hurricane winds, that could cause human
fatalities as the hurricane strikes the coast. [2]
b. Describe one emergency preparation humans could take to avoid a problem caused by
one of these dangerous conditions. [1]
11. What type of storm is associated with the satellite imagery below? ___________________[1]
For questions, 12-19, choose the BEST answer for each question by circling the letter.
12. The two weather disasters that result in the greatest loss of life are: [1]
a. Floods and Lightning
b. Hurricanes and Tornadoes
c. Floods and Hurricanes
d. Lightning and Droughts
13. The air behind the forward flank downdraft associated with strong thunderstorms consists
of _________________ air while the rear flank downdraft consists of relatively
__________________ air. [1]
a. hot and dry; cold and moist
b. cool and moist; warm and dry
c. hot and moist; cold and moist
d. cool and dry; warm and moist
14. Which of the following states has the most frequent and largest hail of the four choices
below? Why? [1]
a. Kansas; many high CAPE days, freezing levels can be relatively low
b. Florida; large number of thunderstorm days
c. Michigan; high latitude, lake effect hail, many summer storms
d. Oregon; orographic lifting, many thunderstorm days, jet stream
15. Minimum tropical storm force wind is ________________ miles per hour while the
minimum hurricane force wind is _______________ miles per hour. [1]
a. 50; 100
b. 25; 50
c. 39; 74
d. 44; 69
16. This is a synoptic scale boundary that separates maritime tropical (mT) air from
continental tropical (cT) air. Dewpoint changes dramatically from one side of the
boundary to the other. Severe thunderstorms can occur along this boundary, especially in
Spring and early Summer. [1]
a. Gust front
b. Outflow boundary
c. Chinook
d. Dryline
17. In MOST cloud to ground lightning strikes, the ground tends to be _______________
charged. [1]
a. Positively
b. Negatively
18. Thunder travels at the speed of sound which is nearest to: [1]
a. 3 * 10^8 meter per second
b. 5 miles per second
c. 1 mile every 5 seconds
19. The primary moisture source for severe thunderstorms in the Great Plains originates from
the: [1]
a. Jet stream
b. Mexican plateau and Rocky Mountains
c. Pacific Ocean
d. Gulf of Mexico
Base your answers to questions 20 through 23 on the weather map below. The map shows a
weather system that is affecting part of the United States. Circle the BEST answer.
20. Which diagram shows the surface air movements most likely associated with the low
pressure system? [1]
21. What is the total number of different kinds of weather fronts shown on this weather map?
[1]
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
22. The air mass influencing the weather of Nebraska most likely originated in: [1]
a. the northern Pacific Ocean
b. the northern Atlantic Ocean
c. central Canada
d. central Mexico
For questions 23 – 27, CIRCLE the BEST Answer.
23. Which map shows the area where precipitation is most likely occurring? (Shaded areas
represent precipitation.) [1]
24. Which station model correctly shows the weather conditions of a thunderstorm with
heavy rain? [1]
25. Order the following from the ground up: [1]
a. Troposphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere and Thermosphere
b. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Thermosphere and Mesosphere
c. Troposphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere and Stratosphere
d. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere and Thermosphere
26. What type of front moves the fastest? (on average) [1]
a. Stationary Front
b. Warm Front
c. Cold Front
d. Occluded Front
27. The image above is an example of a: [1]
a. Isopleths
b. Meteograms
c. Infrared plot
d. Saffir-Simpson
28. In the space below, name 4 isopleths used by meteorologists. [4]
29. Where is the safest place to be during a lightning storm? [1]
a. In a car
b. In the middle of a wide open field
c. Lying face down under a tree
d. In a house
30. How much energy does the AVERAGE lightning bolt carry? [1]
a. 30 thousand volts/1 million amps
b. 100 million volts/30,000 amps
c. 1 thousand volts/30 million amps
d. 30 million volts/100 thousand
e. Lightning is too powerful to measure accurately
31. How wide is the average lightning bolt? [1]
a. About the width of a tire.
b. About the width of a coffee cup.
c. About the width of a quarter.
d. About the width of a pine needle.
e. About the width of a human hair.
32. Which of the following states in the U.S. receives the most lightning strikes on an
average annual basis? [1]
a. Texas
b. Florida
c. Oklahoma
d. New Mexico
e. Louisiana
33. When a lightning bolt strikes the ground, the next bolt, on average, will... [1]
a. not strike for another 30 seconds.
b. go off inside the cloud.
c. strike within 2 to 3 miles of its predecessor.
d. All of the above.
34. The image above is an example of a _______________. [1]
35. List at and describe at 3 types of thunderstorms in the space below. [6]
2008 Meteorology Answer Key – DO NOT COPY WITH EVENT!
Base your answers to questions 1 through 3 on Data Tables I and II and on the Hurricane
Tracking Map below. Table I represents the storm track data for an Atlantic hurricane. Location,
wind velocity, air pressure, and storm strength are shown for the storm’s center at 3 p.m.
Greenwich time each day. Table II shows a scale of relative storm strength. The map shows the
hurricane’s path.
36. Describe two characteristics of the circulation pattern of the surface winds around the
center (eye) of a Northern Hemisphere low-pressure hurricane. [2]
Counterclockwise
and
Allow 1 credit for a correct response describing the inward movement toward the
eye. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, this example: spirals
toward the eye
37. The hurricane did not continue moving toward the same compass direction during the
entire period shown by the data table. Explain why the hurricane changed direction. [1]
Allow 1 credit for a correct response. Acceptable responses include, but are not
limited to, these examples: The storm entered the prevailing southwesterly wind belt
north of 30° N, which pushed it to the northeast OR The hurricane moved into a
different wind belt.
38. In the space provided below, calculate the average daily rate of movement of the
hurricane during the period from 3 p.m. August 24 to 3 p.m. August 28. The hurricane
traveled 2,600 kilometers during this 4-day period. Follow the directions given below.
c. Write the equation used to determine the rate of change.
No credit for writing equation.
d. Substitute data into the equation. [1]
Allow 1 credit for correctly substituting both acceptable values into the
equation given in part a. The student need not record the units. Acceptable
responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
rate of change = 2600 km/ 4 days OR r = 2600km/96 hours
d. Calculate the rate and label it with the proper units. [1]
Allow 1 credit for correctly calculating the rate, based on the student’s
answer in part b. Correct units must be given. Acceptable responses include,
but are not limited to, these examples:
rate of change = 650 km/day OR r = 27 km/hr
For questions, 4 and 5, choose the BEST answer for each question by circling the letter.
39. Meteorologists have grouped air masses into this number of major categories: [1]
a. three
b. four
c. five
d. six
e. seven
40. The damage caused by a tornado is often assessed by the: [1]
a. Saffir-Simpson scale
b. Integrated Wind scale
c. Fujita Scale
d. Zephyr scale
e. Coriolis scale
Base your answers to questions 6 through 10 on the weather satellite photograph of a portion of
the United States and Mexico below. The photograph shows the clouds of a major hurricane
approaching the eastern coastline of Texas and Mexico. The calm center of the hurricane, the
eye, is labeled.
41. This hurricane has a pattern of surface winds typical of all low-pressure systems in the
Northern Hemisphere. On the satellite photograph provided, draw three arrows on the
clouds to show the direction of the surface wind movement outside the eye of the
hurricane.[1] Allow 1 credit for arrows showing a counterclockwise direction. Arrows
showing a counterclockwise and outward direction are not acceptable.
42. Cloud droplets form around small particles in the atmosphere. Describe how the
hurricane clouds formed from water vapor. Include the terms “dewpoint” and either
“condensation” or “condense” in your answer. [1]
Allow 1 credit for a correct and complete response. Acceptable responses include, but
are not limited to, these examples: Rising air cools to the dewpoint and water vapor
condenses. Condensation occurs when the dewpoint is reached.
43. State the latitude and longitude of the hurricane’s eye. The compass directions must be
included in the answer. [1]
Allow 1 credit for 27°30' N or 27.5° N (± 1°) and 95° W (± 1°). The student’s answer
must include N and W.
44. At the location shown in the photograph, the hurricane had maximum winds recorded at
110 miles per hour. Within a 24-hour period, the hurricane moved 150 miles inland and
had maximum winds of only 65 miles per hour. State why the wind velocity of a
hurricane usually decreases when the hurricane moves over a land surface. [1]
Allow 1 credit for a correct response. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited
to, these examples: Over land there is less energy from evaporating water AND Winds
decrease in strength due to friction with the land.
45. a. State two dangerous conditions, other than hurricane winds, that could cause human
fatalities as the hurricane strikes the coast. [2]
Allow a maximum of 2 credits, 1 credit for each of two dangerous conditions.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples: flooding and
tornadoes, storm surge, collapsing structures, hail and lightning, downed electrical
wires and flying debris
b. Describe one emergency preparation humans could take to avoid a problem caused by
one of these dangerous conditions. [1]
Allow 1 credit for a correct response. The response must be an emergency preparation
that can be taken prior to the approaching hurricane hitting the area. Acceptable
responses include, but are not limited to, these examples: Evacuate to a higher
elevation, Take shelter, Board up windows, Build a seawall.
46. What type of storm is associated with the satellite imagery below? ___________________[1]
For questions, 12-19, choose the BEST answer for each question by circling the letter.
47. The two weather disasters that result in the greatest loss of life are: [1]
a. Floods and Lightning
b. Hurricanes and Tornadoes
c. Floods and Hurricanes
d. Lightning and Droughts
48. The air behind the forward flank downdraft associated with strong thunderstorms consists
of _________________ air while the rear flank downdraft consists of relatively
__________________ air. [1]
a. hot and dry; cold and moist
b. cool and moist; warm and dry
c. hot and moist; cold and moist
d. cool and dry; warm and moist
49. Which of the following states has the most frequent and largest hail of the four choices
below? Why? [1]
a. Kansas; many high CAPE days, freezing levels can be relatively low
b. Florida; large number of thunderstorm days
c. Michigan; high latitude, lake effect hail, many summer storms
d. Oregon; orographic lifting, many thunderstorm days, jet stream
50. Minimum tropical storm force wind is ________________ miles per hour while the
minimum hurricane force wind is _______________ miles per hour. [1]
a. 50; 100
b. 25; 50
c. 39; 74
d. 44; 69
51. This is a synoptic scale boundary that separates maritime tropical (mT) air from
continental tropical (cT) air. Dewpoint changes dramatically from one side of the
boundary to the other. Severe thunderstorms can occur along this boundary, especially in
Spring and early Summer. [1]
a. Gust front
b. Outflow boundary
c. Chinook
d. Dryline
52. In MOST cloud to ground lightning strikes, the ground tends to be _______________
charged. [1]
a. Positively
b. Negatively
53. Thunder travels at the speed of sound which is nearest to: [1]
a. 3 * 10^8 meter per second
b. 5 miles per second
c. 1 mile every 5 seconds
54. The primary moisture source for severe thunderstorms in the Great Plains originates from
the: [1]
a. Jet stream
b. Mexican plateau and Rocky Mountains
c. Pacific Ocean
d. Gulf of Mexico
Base your answers to questions 20 through 23 on the weather map below. The map shows a
weather system that is affecting part of the United States. Circle the BEST answer.
55. Which diagram shows the surface air movements most likely associated with the low
pressure system? [1]
56. What is the total number of different kinds of weather fronts shown on this weather map?
[1]
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
57. The air mass influencing the weather of Nebraska most likely originated in: [1]
a. the northern Pacific Ocean
b. the northern Atlantic Ocean
c. central Canada
d. central Mexico
For questions 23 – 27, CIRCLE the BEST Answer.
58. Which map shows the area where precipitation is most likely occurring? (Shaded areas
represent precipitation.) [1]
59. Which station model correctly shows the weather conditions of a thunderstorm with
heavy rain? [1]
60. Order the following from the ground up: [1]
a. Troposphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere and Thermosphere
b. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Thermosphere and Mesosphere
c. Troposphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere and Stratosphere
d. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere and Thermosphere
61. What type of front moves the fastest? (on average) [1]
a. Stationary Front
b. Warm Front
c. Cold Front
d. Occluded Front
62. The image above is an example of a: [1]
a. Isopleths
b. Meteograms
c. Infrared plot
d. Saffir-Simpson
63. In the space below, name 4 isopleths used by meteorologists. [4]
Give up to 4 points for any of the following answers: Isobar; Isobront; Isodop;
Isodrosotherm; Isoecho; Isogon; Isoheight; Isohume; Isohyet; Isohypse; Isoheight;
Isotach.
64. Where is the safest place to be during a lightning storm? [1]
a. In a car
b. In the middle of a wide open field
c. Lying face down under a tree
d. In a house
65. How much energy does the AVERAGE lightning bolt carry? [1]
a. 30 thousand volts/1 million amps
b. 100 million volts/30,000 amps
c. 1 thousand volts/30 million amps
d. 30 million volts/100 thousand
e. Lightning is too powerful to measure accurately
66. How wide is the average lightning bolt? [1]
a. About the width of a tire.
b. About the width of a coffee cup.
c. About the width of a quarter.
d. About the width of a pine needle.
e. About the width of a human hair.
67. Which of the following states in the U.S. receives the most lightning strikes on an
average annual basis? [1]
a. Texas
b. Florida
c. Oklahoma
d. New Mexico
e. Louisiana
68. When a lightning bolt strikes the ground, the next bolt, on average, will... [1]
a. not strike for another 30 seconds.
b. go off inside the cloud.
c. strike within 2 to 3 miles of its predecessor.
d. All of the above.
69. The image above is an example of a sprite. [1]
70. List at and describe at 3 types of thunderstorms in the space below. [6]
Give 1 point for identifying 3 of the 4 types. Examples and description are as
follows: Single Cell Storms - Typically last 20-30 minutes. Pulse storms can produce
severe weather elements such as downbursts, hail, some heavy rainfall and
occasionally weak tornadoes; Multicell Cluster Storms - A group of cells moving as
a single unit, with each cell in a different stage of the thunderstorm life cycle;
Multicell storms can produce moderate size hail, flash floods and weak tornadoes.
Multicell Line Storms - Multicell line storms consist of a line of storms with a
continuous, well developed gust front at the leading edge of the line. Also known as
squall lines, these storms can produce small to moderate size hail, occasional flash
floods and weak tornadoes; Supercells - Defined as a thunderstorm with a rotating
updraft, these storms can produce strong downbursts, large hail, occasional flash
floods and weak to violent tornadoes.