Formation of Ice Pellets (Sleet) Quiz

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In what seasons are Northern latitudes more likely to have cloudy skies and a higher chance of precipitation?

Summer and Fall (correct)
Fall and Winter
Winter and Spring
Spring and Summer

What is Ice Fog?

A Cirrus cloud on the ground.
Fog that will freeze to your aircraft on contact if flown through.
Fog that is created by ice sublimating into water vapor, and then condensing into liquid.
Fog that is created by ice melting into water, and then evaporating into water vapor. (correct)

Why do Single-Cell Thunderstorms dissipate fairly quickly?

Because the precipitation-induced Downdrafts cut off the Updrafts (correct)
Because the airmass isn't humid enough to support continued growth
Because the Unstable Lapse Rate no longer exists
Because the initial Lifting Action stops

How does a Thunderstorm form large Hail?

Strong downdrafts in the storm accelerate the speed of the hail towards the Earth, allowing the hail to grow through collision and coalescence. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What condition must the atmosphere meet to exhibit 'Absolute Instability'?

Cool at twice the rate of the Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to understand how wind affects atmospheric stability?

Because wind movements influence the density and behavior of rising air parcels (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does vertical air motion affect atmospheric stability?

Rising air columns become more unstable because the top expands and cools more than the bottom (B) Signup and view all the answers

What happens when warm air is moved to the bottom and cold air to the top of an airmass?

Rising air parcels become warmer and less dense, continuing to rise (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of vertical atmospheric temperature structure is required for the formation of Ice Pellets (Sleet)?

Below freezing at formation in the cloud, with a colder Below freezing layer beneath the cloud, and finally another Below freezing layer just above the Earth's surface. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In what vertical atmospheric temperature structure does Freezing Rain form at the Earth's surface?

Freezing Rain requires a more shallow/thinner Above-Freezing layer prior to reaching the Earth's surface. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the temperature as you move vertically in the atmosphere for Ice Pellets (Sleet) formation?

It starts below freezing, then goes above freezing, and finally back to below freezing just above the Earth's surface. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the atmospheric temperature structure for the formation of Freezing Rain?

A warmer Above-Freezing layer is required within the cloud. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is essential for Ice Pellets (Sleet) formation that distinguishes it from Freezing Rain?

A thick layer of freezing temperatures close to Earth's surface. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of vertical atmospheric temperature structure does Ice Pellets (Sleet) NOT require for its formation?

A consistently warm temperature throughout. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the top of a rising column of air differ from the bottom?

It expands more and cools more (B) Signup and view all the answers

What effect do diurnal temperature changes have on atmospheric stability?

Decreases Atmospheric Stability (C) Signup and view all the answers

If the Lifted Index results in a negative number, what does that indicate about the atmosphere?

That the Atmosphere is Absolutely Unstable (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why do descending columns of air become more unstable?

Because the top compresses and warms more than the bottom (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of nighttime cooling of the Earth's surface on atmospheric stability?

Decreases Atmospheric Stability (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for pilots to learn about different cloud types?

To avoid adverse weather conditions (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does flight within an ACSL cloud compare to flight beneath the lowest ASCL cloud?

Relatively smooth within, and rough below. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is a 'Bora' wind also called a 'Fall' wind?

Because the cold air descends the leeward slope quickly and 'falls' off the mountains due to its relatively high density. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why do Dust Devils form?

Convective activity causes a rotating downdraft. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What do KH Wave clouds indicate concerning the atmosphere above and below the base of the clouds?

High winds aloft, with relatively calm winds below. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does Dewpoint relate to Air Temperature in the formation of Upslope Fog?

Dewpoint is lower than Air Temperature (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is warm, moist air moving over colder land mentioned as a factor in dewpoint-related fog formation?

Moist air over water carries more water vapor than over land (B) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Volcanic Ash from other obstructions in its danger to Aircraft Operations?

Volcanic Ash can melt inside aircraft engines (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Volcanic Ash affect visibility for aircraft compared to other weather phenomena?

Reduces visibility to near zero (B) Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates Precipitation from other atmospheric events that fall to the ground?

Involves any form of water particle reaching the ground (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role does Adiabatic Cooling play in the formation of Upslope Fog?

Lowers the air temperature as it moves uphill (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does warm, moist air moving over colder land influence the formation of fog?

Leads to a drop in air temperature towards the dewpoint (D) Signup and view all the answers

'Volcanic Ash' poses a unique danger to aircraft due to:

'Volcanic Ash' being extremely abrasive (A) Signup and view all the answers

What causes Squall Line Thunderstorms to form?

Lifting Action is produced by a Front that can run for hundreds of miles. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does a Supercell thunderstorm differ from a Single Cell Thunderstorm?

The Supercell has a tilted vertical structure that separates the updrafts from the downdrafts. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the necessary ingredients to form a Thunderstorm?

Lifting Action, Moisture, and an Unstable Lapse Rate (D) Signup and view all the answers

How quickly can a thunderstorm complete all 3 life cycles?

In as little as 30 minutes (A) Signup and view all the answers

What advantage does airborne radar have over ground-based Weather Radar in terms of power and wavelength?

Higher beam width, and ability to see more of the storm per sweep (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why are Drizzle and Snow Grains unique in their formation compared to Rain and Snow?

Drizzle and Snow Grains form from low-lying clouds with very little vertical development (A) Signup and view all the answers

What makes ground weather radar products more reliable in painting a picture of precipitation compared to airborne radar?

Ground weather radar products are less prone to attenuation, and is stitched together from multiple radar sites (D) Signup and view all the answers

What types of precipitation are most reflective to Weather Radar?

Liquid, Numerous, and Large (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT true about Drizzle and Snow Grains in their formation?

Form from air masses with very low moisture content (D) Signup and view all the answers

In what way does ground-based Weather Radar have an edge over airborne radar?

Less prone to attenuation and can see further into the storm (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of vertical atmospheric temperature structure does Ice Pellets (Sleet) require for formation?

Above freezing at formation in the cloud, with a colder Below freezing layer beneath the cloud, and finally another Below freezing layer just above the Earth's surface (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the vertical atmospheric temperature structure differ for the formation of freezing rain compared to Ice Pellets (Sleet) at the surface?

Freezing Rain requires a deeper/thicker above-freezing layer prior to reaching the Earth's surface (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of vertical atmospheric temperature structure is not suitable for Ice Pellets (Sleet) formation?

Above freezing at formation in the cloud, with a warmer Above freezing layer beneath the cloud, and finally another Above freezing layer just prior to the Earth's surface (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one key feature that distinguishes Ice Pellets (Sleet) formation from Freezing Rain formation?

Ice Pellets (Sleet) require a thinner above-freezing layer close to the Earth's surface (D) Signup and view all the answers

In terms of atmospheric temperature, what is a critical difference between Ice Pellets (Sleet) and Freezing Rain?

Ice Pellets (Sleet) require a deeper/thicker above-freezing layer prior to reaching the Earth's surface (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of temperature profile is unsuitable for Ice Pellets (Sleet) formation?