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Questions and Answers
What would decrease the stability of an air mass?
What would decrease the stability of an air mass?
- Cooling from below
- Decrease in water vapor
- Warming from below (correct)
Steady precipitation preceding a front is an indication of
Steady precipitation preceding a front is an indication of
- Stratiform clouds with little or no turbulence (correct)
- Cumuliform clouds with little or no turbulence
- Stratiform clouds with moderate turbulence
The development of thermals depends upon
The development of thermals depends upon
- Temperature inversions
- A counterclockwise circulation of air
- Solar heating (correct)
Every physical process of weather is accompanied by, or is the result of, a
Every physical process of weather is accompanied by, or is the result of, a
The boundary between two different air masses is referred to as?
The boundary between two different air masses is referred to as?
What are characteristics of unstable air?
What are characteristics of unstable air?
The amount of water vapor which air can hold depends on the
The amount of water vapor which air can hold depends on the
Moist, stable air flowing upslope can be expected to
Moist, stable air flowing upslope can be expected to
What is a characteristic of stable air?
What is a characteristic of stable air?
If the temperature/dewpoint spread is small and decreasing, and the temperature is 62 F, what type of weather is most likely to develop?
If the temperature/dewpoint spread is small and decreasing, and the temperature is 62 F, what type of weather is most likely to develop?
One weather phenomenon which will always occur when flying across a front is a change in the
One weather phenomenon which will always occur when flying across a front is a change in the
Convective circulation patterns associated with sea breezes are caused by
Convective circulation patterns associated with sea breezes are caused by
A stable air mass is most likely to have which characteristic?
A stable air mass is most likely to have which characteristic?
At approximately what altitude above the surface would the pilot expect the base of cumuliform clouds if the surface air temperature is 82 degrees F and the dewpoint is 38 degrees F?
At approximately what altitude above the surface would the pilot expect the base of cumuliform clouds if the surface air temperature is 82 degrees F and the dewpoint is 38 degrees F?
What are the processes by which moisture is added to unsaturated air?
What are the processes by which moisture is added to unsaturated air?
If an unstable air mass is forced upward, what type of clouds can be expected?
If an unstable air mass is forced upward, what type of clouds can be expected?
One of the most easily recognized discontinuities across a front is
One of the most easily recognized discontinuities across a front is
What causes variations in altimeter settings between weather reporting points?
What causes variations in altimeter settings between weather reporting points?
What measurement can be used to determine the stability of the atmosphere?
What measurement can be used to determine the stability of the atmosphere?
What two gases make up most of the atmosphere?
What two gases make up most of the atmosphere?
What creates convective currents?
What creates convective currents?
What is the standard pressure lapse rate?
What is the standard pressure lapse rate?
What is a ridge?
What is a ridge?
What are air masses?
What are air masses?
Air masses are generally identified as _____ or _______ based on temperature characteristics and ___________ or ___________ based on moisture content.
Air masses are generally identified as _____ or _______ based on temperature characteristics and ___________ or ___________ based on moisture content.
What is a front?
What is a front?
What are the FOUR types of front?
What are the FOUR types of front?
Warm fronts contain warm air that often has very high humidity. As the warm air is lifted, the temperature (drops/increases) and ________ occurs.
Warm fronts contain warm air that often has very high humidity. As the warm air is lifted, the temperature (drops/increases) and ________ occurs.
Generally, prior to the passage of a warm front, what kinds of clouds can be expected to form along the frontal boundary?
Generally, prior to the passage of a warm front, what kinds of clouds can be expected to form along the frontal boundary?
During the passage of a warm front, __________ clouds are visible and drizzle may be falling. The visibility is generally (good/poor).
During the passage of a warm front, __________ clouds are visible and drizzle may be falling. The visibility is generally (good/poor).
After the passage of a warm front, ____________ clouds predominate and rain showers are possible.
After the passage of a warm front, ____________ clouds predominate and rain showers are possible.
Cold fronts move more rapidly than warm fronts, progressing at a rate of ___ to ___ mph. However, extreme cold fronts have been recorded moving at speeds of up to ____ mph.
Cold fronts move more rapidly than warm fronts, progressing at a rate of ___ to ___ mph. However, extreme cold fronts have been recorded moving at speeds of up to ____ mph.
A cold front in the Northern Hemisphere is normally oriented in a what direction manner?
A cold front in the Northern Hemisphere is normally oriented in a what direction manner?
Prior to the passage of a typical cold front, what kinds of clouds are present?
Prior to the passage of a typical cold front, what kinds of clouds are present?
During cold front passage, the visibility is ________ with winds variable and ________, and the temperature and dew point (increase/drop) rapidly.
During cold front passage, the visibility is ________ with winds variable and ________, and the temperature and dew point (increase/drop) rapidly.
Warm fronts move at around ____ to ____ mph.
Warm fronts move at around ____ to ____ mph.
In the northern hemisphere, wind around a high-pressure system rotates (clockwise/anticlockwise).
In the northern hemisphere, wind around a high-pressure system rotates (clockwise/anticlockwise).
What would decrease the stability of an air mass?
What would decrease the stability of an air mass?
Steady precipitation preceding a front is an indication of
Steady precipitation preceding a front is an indication of
The development of thermals depends upon
The development of thermals depends upon
Every physical process of weather is accompanied by, or is the result of, a
Every physical process of weather is accompanied by, or is the result of, a
The boundary between two different air masses is referred to as?
The boundary between two different air masses is referred to as?
What are characteristics of unstable air?
What are characteristics of unstable air?
The amount of water vapor which air can hold depends on the
The amount of water vapor which air can hold depends on the
Moist, stable air flowing upslope can be expected to
Moist, stable air flowing upslope can be expected to
What is a characteristic of stable air?
What is a characteristic of stable air?
If the temperature/dewpoint spread is small and decreasing, and the temperature is 62 F, what type of weather is most likely to develop?
If the temperature/dewpoint spread is small and decreasing, and the temperature is 62 F, what type of weather is most likely to develop?
One weather phenomenon which will always occur when flying across a front is a change in the
One weather phenomenon which will always occur when flying across a front is a change in the
Convective circulation patterns associated with sea breezes are caused by
Convective circulation patterns associated with sea breezes are caused by
A stable air mass is most likely to have which characteristic?
A stable air mass is most likely to have which characteristic?
At approximately what altitude above the surface would the pilot expect the base of cumuliform clouds if the surface air temperature is 82 degrees F and the dewpoint is 38 degrees F?
At approximately what altitude above the surface would the pilot expect the base of cumuliform clouds if the surface air temperature is 82 degrees F and the dewpoint is 38 degrees F?
What are the processes by which moisture is added to unsaturated air?
What are the processes by which moisture is added to unsaturated air?
If an unstable air mass is forced upward, what type of clouds can be expected?
If an unstable air mass is forced upward, what type of clouds can be expected?
One of the most easily recognized discontinuities across a front is
One of the most easily recognized discontinuities across a front is
What causes variations in altimeter settings between weather reporting points?
What causes variations in altimeter settings between weather reporting points?
What measurement can be used to determine the stability of the atmosphere?
What measurement can be used to determine the stability of the atmosphere?
What two gases make up most of the atmosphere?
What two gases make up most of the atmosphere?
What creates convective currents?
What creates convective currents?
What is the standard pressure lapse rate?
What is the standard pressure lapse rate?
What is a ridge?
What is a ridge?
What are air masses?
What are air masses?
Air masses are generally identified as _____ or _______ based on temperature characteristics and ___________ or ___________ based on moisture content.
Air masses are generally identified as _____ or _______ based on temperature characteristics and ___________ or ___________ based on moisture content.
What is a front?
What is a front?
What are the FOUR types of front?
What are the FOUR types of front?
Warm fronts contain warm air that often has very high humidity. As the warm air is lifted, the temperature (drops/increases) and ________ occurs.
Warm fronts contain warm air that often has very high humidity. As the warm air is lifted, the temperature (drops/increases) and ________ occurs.
Generally, prior to the passage of a warm front, what kinds of clouds can be expected to form along the frontal boundary?
Generally, prior to the passage of a warm front, what kinds of clouds can be expected to form along the frontal boundary?
During the passage of a warm front, __________ clouds are visible and drizzle may be falling. The visibility is generally (good/poor).
During the passage of a warm front, __________ clouds are visible and drizzle may be falling. The visibility is generally (good/poor).
After the passage of a warm front, ____________ clouds predominate and rain showers are possible.
After the passage of a warm front, ____________ clouds predominate and rain showers are possible.
Cold fronts move more rapidly than warm fronts, progressing at a rate of ___ to ___ mph. However, extreme cold fronts have been recorded moving at speeds of up to ____ mph.
Cold fronts move more rapidly than warm fronts, progressing at a rate of ___ to ___ mph. However, extreme cold fronts have been recorded moving at speeds of up to ____ mph.
A cold front in the Northern Hemisphere is normally oriented in a what direction manner?
A cold front in the Northern Hemisphere is normally oriented in a what direction manner?
Prior to the passage of a typical cold front, what kinds of clouds are present?
Prior to the passage of a typical cold front, what kinds of clouds are present?
During cold front passage, the visibility is ________ with winds variable and ________, and the temperature and dew point (increase/drop) rapidly.
During cold front passage, the visibility is ________ with winds variable and ________, and the temperature and dew point (increase/drop) rapidly.
Warm fronts move at around ____ to ____ mph.
Warm fronts move at around ____ to ____ mph.
In northern hemisphere, wind around a high-pressure system rotates (/anti).
In northern hemisphere, wind around a high-pressure system rotates (/anti).
Shifting wind direction is most pronounced in conjunction with (cold/warm) fronts.
Shifting wind direction is most pronounced in conjunction with (cold/warm) fronts.
The forecast signs of the likely occurrence of thermals and dust devils are:
The forecast signs of the likely occurrence of thermals and dust devils are:
Which one of these answers describes a low pressure system near the surface in the northern hemisphere?
Which one of these answers describes a low pressure system near the surface in the northern hemisphere?
What is mixed ice?
What is mixed ice?
What primarily determines the speed of a weather front?
What primarily determines the speed of a weather front?
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Study Notes
Air Mass Stability and Weather Patterns
- Stability in air masses is influenced by heating from below; warmer air rises, leading to instability.
- Steady precipitation signals stable air, typically associated with stratiform clouds that show little turbulence.
- Thermals develop primarily through solar heating, essential for convective activity.
- Moisture addition to unsaturated air occurs via evaporation and sublimation processes.
Weather Fronts
- A front is defined as the boundary separating two different air masses.
- Four main types of fronts include cold fronts, warm fronts, occluded fronts, and stationary fronts.
- Warm fronts consist of rising warm air, leading to a drop in temperature and condensation, causing clouds and fog.
- Cold fronts move more quickly than warm fronts, generally between 25-30 mph, and can reach up to 60 mph in extreme cases.
Cloud Formations and Weather Indices
- Stable air often features stratiform clouds and poor visibility, while unstable air is associated with turbulence and good visibility.
- Upon encountering a warm front, cirriform or stratiform clouds typically form, transitioning to stratiform with drizzle during the passage.
- After a warm front, stratocumulus clouds prevail, indicating possible rain showers.
Altitude and Atmospheric Conditions
- The base of cumuliform clouds can be estimated using the temperature/dewpoint relationship; for a temperature of 82°F and a dewpoint of 38°F, the height is around 10,000 feet AGL.
- Atmospheric stability is measured by the actual lapse rate, indicating resistance to vertical motion.
Pressure Systems and Wind Patterns
- High-pressure systems in the Northern Hemisphere exhibit a clockwise rotation, while low-pressure systems rotate counter-clockwise and converge.
- Weather phenomenon such as thermals and dust devils are likely under hot, dry conditions, promoting vertical air movement.
Variations in Weather Reporting
- Altimeter setting variations at different reporting points arise primarily from the uneven heating of the Earth's surface, affecting air pressure.
Types of Cloud and Precipitation Conditions
- Mixed ice, a combination of clear and rime ice, is commonly found in stratiform clouds with intense icing near the cloud tops.
- Changes in wind direction across fronts are most noticeable with cold fronts, as they often accompany significant weather shifts.
General Atmospheric Composition
- The atmosphere is predominantly composed of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), with trace gases making up the remaining 1%.
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