American Meteorological Society Certification Weather Forecasting and Applied Meteorology 2

Question 1

What is the Global Forecast System (GFS) and who operates it?

Accepted Answer

A global NWP model operated by NOAA/NWS for weather prediction out to 16 days

Answer

A European global NWP model operated by ECMWF

Answer

A seasonal forecast model operated by NASA

Answer

A high-resolution US regional model

Question 2

Aviation weather forecasts use which product to describe expected conditions at an airport over 24–30 hours?

Accepted Answer

TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast)

Answer

METAR

Answer

SIGMET

Answer

PIREP

Question 3

A SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) advises pilots of what?

Accepted Answer

Hazardous meteorological conditions affecting aircraft safety (severe turbulence, icing, volcanic ash)

Answer

Routine weather along a route

Answer

Surface wind forecasts at airports

Answer

Precipitation probability along a route

Question 4

What is a Weather Watch vs. Warning distinction in NWS severe weather products?

Accepted Answer

A Watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather; a Warning means severe weather is occurring or imminent

Answer

They are interchangeable terms

Answer

A Watch means severe weather is occurring; a Warning is the forecast outlook

Answer

Watches are county-based; warnings are state-based

Question 5

Fire Weather forecasting focuses on what combination of variables?

Accepted Answer

Wind speed, relative humidity, temperature, and fuel moisture for wildfire risk

Answer

Cloud cover and precipitation only

Answer

Temperature and dew point only

Answer

Upper-level jet stream and 500 hPa heights

Question 6

What is the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale used to classify?

Accepted Answer

Hurricane intensity by maximum sustained wind speed (Categories 1–5)

Answer

Tropical storm intensity by central pressure

Answer

Storm surge height

Answer

Overall storm destructive potential including rainfall