American Meteorological Society Certification Weather Forecasting and Applied Meteorology

Question 1

What is Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP)?

Accepted Answer

Computer simulation of the atmosphere using mathematical equations to forecast weather

Answer

Statistical analysis of historical weather patterns

Answer

Manual charting of weather systems

Answer

Empirical forecasting from analogues

Question 2

What does ensemble forecasting provide compared to a single deterministic model run?

Accepted Answer

Probabilistic forecast information by running multiple model simulations with varied initial conditions

Answer

Higher spatial resolution

Answer

Faster computation time

Answer

A single best-estimate forecast

Question 3

The Model Output Statistics (MOS) technique improves NWP forecasts by doing what?

Accepted Answer

Applying statistical relationships between model output and observed weather to reduce systematic errors

Answer

Running the model at higher resolution

Answer

Combining multiple models equally

Answer

Using only the most recent model run

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of data assimilation in NWP?

Accepted Answer

Optimally combining model background fields with new observations to create the best initial state for forecasts

Answer

Creating climate model scenarios

Answer

Downscaling global models to regional scales

Answer

Generating ensemble members

Question 5

What is the Probability of Precipitation (PoP) in a weather forecast?

Accepted Answer

The probability that at least 0.01 inches of precipitation will occur at any given point in the forecast area

Answer

The expected rainfall amount at a point

Answer

The percentage of the forecast area that will receive rain

Answer

The confidence level of the forecast model

Question 6

What is the Lorenz predictability limit for atmospheric forecasting?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 2 weeks

Answer

24 hours

Answer

30 days

Answer

6 hours