Try these questions from our free American Meteorological Society Certification practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
What is the purpose of dual-polarization radar technology?
Answer: B. Distinguish precipitation types (rain, snow, hail, graupel) and improve QPE
Dual-polarization radar transmits both horizontal and vertical pulses, allowing discrimination of hydrometeor types and improving quantitative precipitation estimates.
The moist adiabatic lapse rate (MALR) is approximately what value near the surface?
Answer: B. 4–7°C/km
The MALR varies from about 4°C/km in warm moist air to 7°C/km in cooler air, less than the DALR due to latent heat release.
Which surface feature is commonly found along the boundary between dry continental and moist Gulf of Mexico air in the US?
Answer: C. Dryline
The dryline is a moisture boundary common over the US Great Plains, separating moist Gulf air from dry continental air.
What does divergence in the upper atmosphere typically indicate at the surface?
Answer: B. Surface low pressure and rising motion
Upper-level divergence removes mass from a column, lowering surface pressure and promoting rising motion.
Take the full American Meteorological Society Certification practice test