AB AB Meteorology and Weather Observation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What weather change typically accompanies the passage of a cold front?
- Sudden squalls and sharp wind shift (Correct answer)
- Gradual steady rain for days
- Persistent calm seas
- Dense sea fog
Correct answer: Sudden squalls and sharp wind shift
Cold front passage brings sudden squalls, a sharp clockwise wind shift, brief heavy rain, then rapidly clearing skies.
Question 2: What is a meteorological 'trough'?
- An elongated area of low pressure (Correct answer)
- An elongated ridge of high pressure
- A sudden temperature drop aloft
- A type of tidal current
Correct answer: An elongated area of low pressure
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure that can bring unsettled weather and wind shifts.
Question 3: At what Beaufort force number is wind classified as hurricane force?
- 12 (Correct answer)
- 10
- 8
- 6
Correct answer: 12
Beaufort Force 12 designates hurricane-force winds of 64 knots or greater with exceptionally high seas.
Question 4: What is the primary cause of advection (sea) fog?
- Warm moist air flowing over cooler water (Correct answer)
- Cold air moving over warm water
- High-pressure systems stalling overhead
- Strong tidal currents mixing water layers
Correct answer: Warm moist air flowing over cooler water
Advection fog forms when warm, moist air moves over colder water, cooling the air to its dew point and causing condensation.
Question 5: What does a steady barometer generally indicate about upcoming weather?
- Continued settled weather (Correct answer)
- An approaching storm
- Clearing after recent rain
- Imminent strong winds
Correct answer: Continued settled weather
A steady barometer indicates stable atmospheric pressure, which generally signals continued fair or settled weather conditions.
Question 6: A 'veering' wind shifts in which direction?
- Clockwise (e.g., S to W) (Correct answer)
- Counterclockwise (e.g., S to E)
- Toward the north only
- Toward the south only
Correct answer: Clockwise (e.g., S to W)
A veering wind shifts clockwise in direction (e.g., from south to west) and in the Northern Hemisphere often signals improving weather.
AB AB Meteorology and Weather Observation 2
What weather change typically accompanies the passage of a cold front?