Synoptic Meteorology Flashcards
6 cards from real AMS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Synoptic Meteorology flashcards as text
What does a negatively tilted trough indicate on upper-level charts?
Answer: Amplifying system and enhanced severe weather potential
A negatively tilted trough (tilting SW to NE) indicates an amplifying system with increased cyclogenesis and severe weather potential.
Which layer in the atmosphere separates the troposphere from the stratosphere?
Answer: Tropopause
The tropopause is the boundary where temperature stops decreasing with height and marks the top of the troposphere.
In synoptic analysis, what does 'vorticity advection' describe?
Answer: Horizontal transport of spin by the wind
Vorticity advection refers to the horizontal transport of vorticity by the wind field, which drives vertical motion.
What meteorological tool provides vertical profiles of temperature, humidity, and wind at a specific location?
Answer: Radiosonde sounding
Radiosondes are balloon-borne instruments that measure atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind through the troposphere.
The 850 hPa temperature field is commonly used to diagnose what in winter forecasting?
Answer: Precipitation type (rain vs. snow boundary)
The 850 hPa (~1500 m) temperature is used to distinguish rain/snow boundaries, with approximately 0°C as a key threshold.
A Rex block pattern in the upper atmosphere consists of what configuration?
Answer: A high to the north with a low to the south blocking zonal flow
A Rex block features an upper-level high poleward of an upper-level low, interrupting the zonal (west-to-east) flow.