American Meteorological Society Certification Synoptic Meteorology 2

Question 1

What does a negatively tilted trough indicate on upper-level charts?

Accepted Answer

Amplifying system and enhanced severe weather potential

Answer

A negatively tilted trough (tilting SW to NE) indicates an amplifying system with increased cyclogenesis and severe weather potential.

Question 2

Which layer in the atmosphere separates the troposphere from the stratosphere?

Accepted Answer

Tropopause

Answer

The tropopause is the boundary where temperature stops decreasing with height and marks the top of the troposphere.

Question 3

In synoptic analysis, what does 'vorticity advection' describe?

Accepted Answer

Horizontal transport of spin by the wind

Answer

Vorticity advection refers to the horizontal transport of vorticity by the wind field, which drives vertical motion.

Question 4

What meteorological tool provides vertical profiles of temperature, humidity, and wind at a specific location?

Accepted Answer

Radiosonde sounding

Answer

Radiosondes are balloon-borne instruments that measure atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind through the troposphere.

Question 5

The 850 hPa temperature field is commonly used to diagnose what in winter forecasting?

Accepted Answer

Precipitation type (rain vs. snow boundary)

Answer

The 850 hPa (~1500 m) temperature is used to distinguish rain/snow boundaries, with approximately 0°C as a key threshold.

American Meteorological Society Certification Practice Test