AMS Climate Science and Climatology 2

Question 1

El Niño conditions in the tropical Pacific are characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Warmer-than-normal SSTs in the central and eastern tropical Pacific

Answer

Cooler-than-normal SSTs across the entire tropical Pacific

Answer

Stronger-than-normal Walker circulation and trade winds

Answer

Higher-than-normal sea level pressure in the central Pacific

Question 2

The Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) measures El Niño and La Niña events using SST anomalies in which Pacific region?

Accepted Answer

Niño 3.4 (central equatorial Pacific)

Answer

Niño 1+2 (far eastern equatorial Pacific)

Answer

Niño 4 (western equatorial Pacific)

Answer

The entire tropical Pacific basin

Question 3

The Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) differs from ENSO primarily in that:

Accepted Answer

The PDO operates on decadal timescales, while ENSO operates on 2–7 year timescales

Answer

The PDO affects only the North Pacific, while ENSO affects the whole globe

Answer

The PDO is driven by atmospheric forcing, while ENSO is purely oceanic

Answer

The PDO only affects SSTs, while ENSO affects winds and precipitation

Question 4

A positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is associated with:

Accepted Answer

Stronger westerlies and warmer, wetter winters over northwestern Europe

Answer

Weaker westerlies and cold, dry winters over northwestern Europe

Answer

Increased blocking events over the North Atlantic

Answer

Stronger trade winds in the tropical Atlantic

Question 5

What is a climate teleconnection?

Accepted Answer

A statistical relationship linking climate anomalies in geographically distant regions

Answer

A satellite communication system used by climate scientists

Answer

A direct atmospheric bridge connecting tropical and polar climates

Answer

A feedback loop confined within a single climate zone

Question 6

The Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO) refers to:

Accepted Answer

A roughly 2-year alternating pattern of easterly and westerly winds in the tropical stratosphere

Answer

A 2-year cycle of precipitation in the tropical troposphere

Answer

A biennial oscillation in Arctic sea ice extent

Answer

A two-year variation in global mean surface temperature

Question 7

The Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) has been linked most strongly to variations in:

Accepted Answer

Western European drought frequency and North Atlantic hurricane activity

Answer

Pacific trade wind intensity and ENSO amplitude

Answer

Antarctic ice shelf calving rates

Answer

Indian Ocean dipole events