American Meteorological Society Certification Remote Sensing and Atmospheric Observation 2

Question 1

What is the purpose of ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System) stations in the US?

Accepted Answer

Automated surface weather observations for aviation and public use

Answer

Upper-air radiosonde launches

Answer

Lightning mapping

Answer

Wind profiling

Question 2

What atmospheric quantity does a rawinsonde measure in addition to temperature and humidity?

Accepted Answer

Wind speed and direction throughout the vertical profile

Answer

Precipitation rate

Answer

Cloud base height

Answer

Solar radiation

Question 3

The WSR-88D radar network in the United States is also known by what acronym?

Accepted Answer

NEXRAD

Answer

ASOS

Answer

GOES

Answer

AWIPS

Question 4

Ground-based microwave radiometers in meteorology are used primarily for what purpose?

Accepted Answer

Profiling temperature and humidity through the lower troposphere continuously

Answer

Surface wind measurements

Answer

Detecting lightning

Answer

Measuring snow depth

Question 5

What does the Velocity Azimuth Display (VAD) technique provide from Doppler radar data?

Accepted Answer

Vertical wind profiles at the radar site

Answer

Precipitation rate estimates

Answer

Hail size estimates

Answer

Storm motion vectors

Question 6

What is the Bright Band in radar meteorology?

Accepted Answer

An enhanced reflectivity layer near the melting level where snowflakes partially melt

Answer

High reflectivity return from the jet stream

Answer

A horizontal beam blockage artifact

Answer

Enhanced returns from urban areas