Weather Conditions Quiz - PTS Flashcards

Weather Conditions and Air Properties

• High relative humidity beneath a low-level temperature inversion leads to smooth air, poor visibility, fog, haze, or low clouds due to stable atmospheric conditions.
• Dewpoint is defined as the temperature at which air must be cooled to become saturated, impacting humidity levels.
• The air temperature determines the maximum amount of water vapor air can hold, with warmer air capable of holding more moisture compared to cooler air.
• Characteristics of stable air include stratiform clouds, smooth air, continuous precipitation, and poor visibility, while unstable air features cumulus clouds and turbulence.

Cloud Formation and Types

• Moist, stable air moving upslope can create upslope fog, a specific type of low cloud.
• The base of cumuliform clouds forms at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet AGL when surface temperature is 82°F and dewpoint is 38°F, with a lapse rate of 4.4°F per 1,000 feet.
• Standing lenticular clouds, lens-shaped clouds, form over crests of standing mountain waves caused by stable air interacting with topography.

Weather Fronts and Air Masses

• The boundary separating two distinct air masses is termed a front, essential for understanding weather patterns.
• Anticipation of mountain wave turbulence occurs when winds exceed 40 knots over a mountain ridge in stable air conditions.

Thunderstorms and Fog

• Squall line thunderstorms are the most hazardous to aircraft, producing severe storms with heavy hail and destructive winds.
• Advection fog forms when moist air moves inland from the coast over cooler surfaces, typically occurring in winter.

Atmospheric Layers and Hypoxia

• The troposphere is the layer where most weather occurs, extending from the surface to varying altitudes depending on location.
• Hypoxia can be mitigated by cabin pressurization and supplemental oxygen, crucial for maintaining safety at high altitudes.

Convective Currents and Stability

• Convective currents arise from surface variations that lead to uneven heating, creating localized air circulation, often resulting in turbulence during warmer weather.
• All weather processes involve heat exchange as water transitions between states, influencing weather patterns.

Wind and Air Mass Stability

• A discrepancy between surface winds and higher altitude winds is primarily due to friction with the Earth's surface, altering airflow patterns.
• Warming from below decreases stability in an air mass as cooler air remains lower while the warmer air ascends.

Characteristics of Air Stability

• Unstable air is marked by turbulence and good visibility, while stable air often contains dust or smoke, reducing visibility.
• Cumulonimbus clouds, associated with thunderstorms, form requiring unstable, moist air combined with lifting action.

Formation Conditions for Fog and Weather Metrics

• Radiation fog develops under warm, moist air conditions over low-lying areas during clear, calm nights.
• Low temperature/dewpoint spread leads to fog or low cloud formation when temperatures are above freezing.
• The standard temperature lapse rate describes a decrease of 2°C per 1,000 feet elevation gain, impacting temperature profiles.
• At 18,000 feet, the weight of air is 7.4 lb/sq in, representing nearly a 50% reduction compared to sea level.
• Low-pressure systems are associated with instability, cloudiness, and precipitation, indicating potential poor weather conditions.

Test your knowledge on weather conditions related to low-level temperature inversion layers. This quiz covers concepts such as visibility, fog, haze, and the characteristics of stable and unstable air. Perfect for students and enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of meteorology.