CFC Meteorological Briefing & Interpretation 5

Question 1

A weather briefing describes a rapidly deepening low-pressure system with the pressure falling 6 mb in 3 hours. A flight communicator should recognize this as:

Accepted Answer

An explosive cyclogenesis ('bomb'), indicating rapidly deteriorating weather

Answer

A pressure drop of 1 mb/hour or more over 24 hours (24 mb/day) qualifies as explosive cyclogenesis, signaling rapidly worsening conditions.

Question 2

A warm front passage is typically associated with which sequence of weather changes?

Accepted Answer

Gradual improvement from stratus/drizzle to warmer, clearer conditions as the front passes

Answer

Warm fronts bring prolonged low ceilings, drizzle, and fog ahead of the front, with conditions improving gradually after passage.

Question 3

When interpreting a weather depiction chart, what does a station model with a circle entirely filled in (blackened) represent?

Accepted Answer

Overcast sky cover at that reporting station

Answer

On a weather depiction chart, a completely filled circle indicates an overcast sky (8/8 coverage).

Question 4

A flight communicator notes that the temperature/dew point spread in a METAR is 2°C. This spread is significant because it suggests:

Accepted Answer

Conditions are close to saturation, increasing likelihood of fog or low clouds

Answer

A small temperature/dew point spread (2°C or less) indicates near-saturation; fog or low stratus is likely, especially at night or at dawn.

Question 5

An occluded front forms when:

Accepted Answer

A faster-moving cold front catches up to and lifts a warm front

Answer

Occlusion occurs when the cold front overtakes the warm front, lifting the warm air mass off the surface.

(CFC) Certified Flight Communicator Practice Test

(CFC) Certified Flight Communicator Practice Test

CFC Meteorological Briefing & Interpretation 5