CPL Meteorology and Weather Interpretation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What causes a temperature inversion near the surface?
- Strong surface heating during the afternoon
- Radiational cooling of the ground on clear, calm nights (Correct answer)
- Passage of a cold front
- High winds mixing the atmosphere
Correct answer: Radiational cooling of the ground on clear, calm nights
Radiational cooling on clear, calm nights causes the surface to lose heat, creating a layer where temperature increases with altitude.
Question 2: A Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) reads 'BECMG 1416 BKN010'. What does 'BECMG' mean?
- Temporarily
- Becoming (gradual change) (Correct answer)
- Becoming critical IFR
- Becoming marginal VFR
Correct answer: Becoming (gradual change)
'BECMG' indicates conditions are expected to gradually change to the stated values within the specified time period.
Question 3: Which wind shear condition is most hazardous during approach to landing?
- Tailwind increasing then becoming headwind on short final
- Headwind increasing then becoming tailwind on short final (Correct answer)
- Crosswind decreasing throughout approach
- Uniform headwind throughout approach
Correct answer: Headwind increasing then becoming tailwind on short final
A headwind decreasing and transitioning to tailwind causes rapid airspeed loss, requiring immediate power addition to avoid stall.
Question 4: What is a squall line?
- A line of stratiform clouds along a cold front
- A narrow band of active thunderstorms ahead of a cold front (Correct answer)
- A pressure trough with associated fog
- A line of mountain wave turbulence
Correct answer: A narrow band of active thunderstorms ahead of a cold front
A squall line is a line or band of active cumulonimbus cells that typically forms 50–300 miles ahead of a cold front.
Question 5: At what altitude is the standard atmosphere tropopause located at mid-latitudes?
- 18,000 feet MSL
- 36,000 feet MSL (Correct answer)
- 45,000 feet MSL
- 55,000 feet MSL
Correct answer: 36,000 feet MSL
The standard atmosphere tropopause at mid-latitudes is approximately 36,000 feet (11 km) MSL.
Question 6: What is the primary hazard associated with flight through a microburst?
- Severe icing in the downdraft core
- Extreme headwind-to-tailwind shear combined with a strong downdraft (Correct answer)
- Loss of VFR conditions due to heavy rain
- Structural damage from lightning
Correct answer: Extreme headwind-to-tailwind shear combined with a strong downdraft
A microburst produces a violent downdraft that spreads outward, creating a rapid headwind-to-tailwind transition that can exceed aircraft climb performance.
Question 7: In the US, which chart depicts actual surface weather conditions including frontal positions, isobars, and station models?
- Weather Depiction Chart
- Surface Analysis Chart (Correct answer)
- Significant Weather Prognostic Chart
- Constant Pressure Analysis Chart
Correct answer: Surface Analysis Chart
The Surface Analysis Chart is plotted from actual observations and shows current fronts, pressures, and station data.
CPL Meteorology and Weather Interpretation 3
What causes a temperature inversion near the surface?