UAS Weather Assessment 3

Question 1

What does 'VV' followed by a number in a METAR sky condition field indicate?

Accepted Answer

Vertical visibility into an obscuration

Answer

VV (Vertical Visibility) reports how far upward an observer can see into a surface-based obscuration such as fog or smoke.

Question 2

A sUAS remote pilot observes cumulus clouds growing rapidly in height during the afternoon. This indicates:

Accepted Answer

Increasing convective activity and possible thunderstorm development

Answer

Rapidly building cumulus clouds (towering cumulus) signal strong atmospheric instability and impending thunderstorm development.

Question 3

What is the primary cause of orographic lift?

Accepted Answer

Airflow forced upward by terrain like mountains

Answer

Orographic lift occurs when horizontal wind encounters elevated terrain and is forced to rise over it.

Question 4

A remote pilot intends to fly at a site where the current dew point spread (temperature minus dew point) is 2°F. This suggests:

Accepted Answer

Fog or low cloud formation is likely imminent

Answer

A small temperature-dew point spread (less than 4°F) means air is near saturation, making fog or low cloud formation very likely.

Question 5

Which type of fog is most common in valleys during clear, calm nights?

Accepted Answer

Radiation fog

Answer

Radiation fog forms in valleys when clear skies allow rapid radiational cooling of the surface, cooling air to its dew point.

(UAS) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Certified Practice Test