DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES NAME _______________________

SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY

Metr 302.04

Spring 2004 MIDTERM #1

200 pts

Part 1. Severe Weather

Figure 1. Convective Oulooks (See Fig. 1, Convective Outlook)

1. The Convective Outlook is issued by

(a) the National Hurricane Center

(b) the US Geological Survey

(d) the Storm Prediction Center

(e) the local National Service Forecast Office

2. The following is the text of a Watch issued for a portion of the Great Plains. Read the text:

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

???????? WATCH NUMBER 761

???????????????? NORMAN OK

210 PM CDT TUE OCT 9 2001

THE ????????????? HAS ISSUED A

???????? WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

WESTERN OKLAHOMA

NORTHWEST TEXAS

THE EXTREME EASTERN TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA PANHANDLES

EFFECTIVE THIS TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 230 PM UNTIL 900

PM CDT.

TORNADOES...HAIL TO 3 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS

TO 70 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.

THE WATCH AREA IS ALONG AND 55 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST

OF A LINE FROM 75 MILES SOUTH SOUTHEAST OF CHILDRESS TEXAS TO 55

MILES NORTH NORTHEAST OF GAGE OKLAHOMA.

REMEMBER...A ??????? WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR

TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA.

PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING

WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE

WARNINGS.

This text corresponds to:

(a) a Tornado Warning

(b) a Severe Thunderstorm Warning

(d) a Tropical Storm Watch

(e) a Tornado Watch

3. The Convective Outlook at the back of the exam as Fig. 1 indicates that

(a) severe thunderstorms may form over all of the Great Plains and much of the states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah

(b) severe thunderstorms may form over most of the Great Plains

(d) there is a slight chance of hurricanes forming over the Great Plains

(e) (b) and (c) above.

4. Which of the following is NOT included in the definition of a severe thunderstorm

(a) hail 3/4” or larger

(b) straight line winds 57 mph or greater

(c) frequent cloud-to-ground lightning

(d) tornadoes

(e) all of the above are part of the definition of severe thunderstorms

5. The definition for a Warning is

(a) the given weather event is not expected to occur.

(b) the given weather event is expected to occur sometime in the future, but no one can say when.

(c) the given weather event is occuring, or is observed, and is about to move into the area mentioned in the statement. Take appropriate action immediately.

(d) conditions are favorable for the given weather event to occur in the time interval and for the area specificed in the statement, although the weather event has not yet formed. Persons living in the area should listen for further statements and should take precautions in case the event occurs.

(e) is an advisory statement not meant to be taken literally.

6. The definition for a Watch is

(a) the given weather event is not expected to occur.

(b) the given weather event is expected to occur sometime in the future, but no one can say when.

(c) the given weather event is occuring, or is observed, and is about to move into the area mentioned in the statement. Take appropriate action immediately.

(e) is an advisory statement not meant to be taken literally.

7. Thunderstorms are associated with

(a) cirrus clouds

(b) status clouds

(d) cumulonimbus clouds

(e) altocumulus clouds
8. The following is the text of a statement issued by the National Weather Service:

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIDLAND/ODESSA TX

1000 PM MST WED MAR 7 2001

THE MIDLAND/ODESSA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE HAS ISSUED A

* ???????????????????????????????? FOR...

CENTRAL EDDY COUNTY IN NEW MEXICO

* UNTIL 1045 PM MST

* AT 955 PM MST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR DETECTED A

TORNADO 7 MILES WEST OF WHITES CITY...MOVING NORTHEAST

AT 20 MPH.

* SOME LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE...

AVALON...OTIS...MALAGA...WHITES CITY...CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL

PARK...LOVING...AND CARLSBAD.

TORNADOES, HAIL TO THE SIZE OF DIMES AND WIND GUSTS NEAR 60 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED IN THE WARNED AREA.

THIS THUNDERSTORM WILL ALSO PRODUCE HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH MAY CAUSE

FLOODING OF LOW SPOTS...UNDERPASSES...AND LOW WATER CROSSINGS. IF YOU

ENCOUNTER A FLOODED STRETCH OF ROADWAY...DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS IT.

THE WATER MAY BE DEEPER THAN IT APPEARS.

This text corresponds to:

(a) a Tornado Warning

(b) a Severe Thunderstorm Warning

(d) a Tropical Storm Watch

(e) a TornadoWatch

9. The dew point temperature is used by meteorologists in many ways. Which of the following is NOT

one of those ways?

(a) The dew point temperatures can be used as a rough indication of how much water vapor is present.

(b) The difference between the actual temperature and the dew point temperature is related to the relative humidity.

(c) Meteorologists can use the dew point temperature to determine how much cooling is needed to produce clouds at the observation site..

(d) Meteorologists use the dew point temperature to assess the strength of cyclones.

(e) The surface dew point temperature can be used as a very rough indicator of how prone the atmosphere is for thunderstorm formation.

10. When the temperature is cooled to the dew point temperature at the ground

(a) condensation begins, often evidenced by the formation of fog.

(b) there is much water vapor in the air.

(d) evaporation begins.

(e) rain occurs.

Part II. Scientific Method

11. The first step in the study of a scientific problem involves collecting data (or making a set of

observations)

(a) True

(b) False

12. Once the observations are made, or the data is collected, and the scientist observes some sort of

systematic organization or pattern to the data, he or she develops a theory to explain it.

(a) True

(b) False

13. Once a theory is formulated it is tested. If the theory bears out statistically, it becomes a

hypothesis.

(a) True

(b) False

14. If the hypothesis is not borne out by experimentation, the scientist must formulate a different

hypothesis or adjust the initial hypothesis to explain the discrepencies

(a) True

(b) False

15. The fundamental underpinning of the scientific method is the principal of determinism (cause and effect).

(a) True

(b) False

16. It is not the responsibility of the scientist doing the research that he or she knows exactly what has

been done already or has been found about the problem in question.

(a) True

(b) False

17. If the research is valid, the conclusions will hold irrespective of the state of mind, or the religious

persuasion, or the state of consciousness of the investigator and/or the subject of the investigation.

(a) True

(b) False

18. The example that Zebrowski uses to illustrate how to use a PRINCIPLE to explain a pattern of

observations of wind is that gases tend to move from high to low pressure areas.

(a) True

(b) False

Part III. Radar.

Figure 2. National Doppler Radar Sites

19. This figure shows the location of the national satellite sensor network

(a) True

(b) False

20. Radar data is used directly

(a) to show areas of precipitation

(b) to infer locations of thunderstorms

(c) (a) and (b)

(d) to find cloudiness

(e) to find areas experiencing high water vapor.

21. Radar can detect precipitation up to

(a) about 1 miles from the radar site.

(b) about 10 miles from the radar site.

(c) about 100 miles from the radar site.

(d) about 500 miles from the radar site.

(e) about 1000 miles from the radar site.

22. There is dense coverage of the national radar network except

(a) in tornado alley.

(b) in the Midwest.

(d) in the Great Plains.

(e) in the intermountain West.

Figure 3a. National Radar Summary at 20:49Z 03/02/04

Figure 3b: Frederick Oklahoma Radar at 2147 UTC 03/02/04

23. The gray areas on Fig. 3a. indicate regions with no radar coverage.

(a) T

(b) F

24. Figure 3a. shows regions of the United States experiencing precipitation at the time of the radar plot.

(a) T

(b) F

25. The yellow and orange colors on Fig. 3b probably indicate the location of

(a) Very heavy precipitation

(b) Thunderstorms

(c) (a) and (b)

(d) Light winds.

(e) High water vapor.

26. Fig. 3b suggests that Oklahoma City was experiencing

(a) Light or Moderate rain

(b) Thunderstorms

(d) Blowing dust.

(e) Haze.

27 The time and date of Fig. 3a is

(a) 1249 PM PST 03/02/04

(b) 1249 AM PST 03/02/04

(d) 1:47 PM PST 03/02/04

(e) 1:47 AM PST 03/02/04

28 The time and date of Fig. 3b is

(a) 1249 PM PST 03/02/04

(b) 1249 AM PST 03/02/04

(d) 1:47 PM PST 03/02/04

(e) 1:47 AM PST 03/02/04

29. Radar imagery can be used in combination with satellite imagery

(a) to hone in on the portion of cloudy areas most likely associated with precipitation.

(b) to distinguish between dew and frost.

(d) to decide where the strongest winds are at ground level.

(e) (a) and (d) above

30. The radar network in the United States has somewhat limited utility along the West Coast because

(a) severe thunderstorms do not occur in the West Coast

(b) the radars in the West Coast are offline at night.

(d) the mountainous areas block the transmission of radar emissions (and reflections back).

(e) there are few radar sites along the immediate West Coast.

31. Besides detecting precipitation, the radar can be used to monitor

(a) motion of rainfall/storm areas.

(b) dew points.

(d) temperatures.

(e) jet streams.

32. A significant problem in the SF Bay Area, is that in certain storm patterns the local radar “overshoots”

the top of the precipitation areas in the north Bay.

(a) T

(b) F

Part IV. Hurricanes (and Satellite)

Figure 4: Color Enhanced Infrared Image of Hurricane Georges, 1045Z, 19 Sep 1998

33. The green colors on the infrared satellite image of Hurricane Georges indicate

(a) the heaviest rainfall

(b) the coldest cloud tops

(d) the warmest temperatures

(e) the heaviest snow

34. The green colors on the infrared satellite image of Hurricane Georges suggest

(a) that downdrafts are occurring there

(b) that sleet is occurring there

(c) that large thunderstorms surrounding the eye of the storm are occurring there

(d) that the storm is dying

(e) that the storm is an anticyclone

35. The green colors probably indicate the tops of clouds associated with

(a) the eye wall

(b) drizzle

(d) the storm surge

(e) the storm track.

36. The evidence of cyclonic circulation on the satellite image is

(a) the temperatures of the clouds.

(b) the wind observations indicated in the scale at the bottom.

(d) the spiral cloud bands.

(e) the heavy rain shown on radar

37. In general, satellite images directly give meteorologists information about

(a) hail

(b) clouds

(d) severe thunderstorms

(e) rainfall

Figure 5. Dew point temperatures expected at 12 UTC 5 March 2004

Note the locations A, B, and C. Assume that the actual temperature will be 67F everywhere.

38. Of the three locations, the place with the greatest amount of water vapor

(a) A

(b) B

39. Of the three locations, the place with the least amount of water vapor

((a) A

(b) B

40. Of the three locations, the place with 100% Relative Humidity

(a) A

(b) B

Part V. Surface Weather Map Interpretation

Figure 6. Surface isobars with locations shown at 20Z 03/02/04. Note locations A, B, C, D and E

41. Which of the following is the location of an anticyclone?

(a) A

(b) B

(d) D

(e) E

42. Which location is most likely to experience a CALM?

(a) A

(b) B

(d) D

(e) E

43. Which location is most likely to be experiencing NORTHWEST winds?

(a) A

(b) B

(d) D

(e) E

44. The wind direction at C is most likely

(a) East-southeast

(b) South

(d) North

(e) Southwest

45. The chart shown is a surface weather map. We also have used the 500 mb chart. The 500 mb level corresponds to an elevation of

(a) the top of the atmosphere

(b) 4000 feet

(d) 10000 feet

(e) 18000 feet

Part VI. Surface Chart Interpretation.

Figure 6. Surface Chart for 0700Z 9 March 1999

46. Front A on the chart is a

(a) cold front.

(b) warm front.

(d) occluded front.

(e) dry line.

47. Front B on the chart is a

(a) cold front.

(b) warm front.

(d) occluded front.

(e) dry line.

48. STATION 4 is reporting

(a) a thunderstorm

(b) moderate continuous rain

(d) light snow showers

(e) moderate continuous snow

49. The station(s) with the highest relative humidity

(a) Station 1

(b) Station 2

(c) Station 3

(d) Station 4

(e) Stations 3 and 4

50. The station(s) with the lowest amount of water vapor is

(a) Station 1

(b) Station 2

(d) Station 4

(e) Stations 3 and 4

Figure 1. Convective Oulook valid 1630 3 May 1999

Figure 2. National Doppler Radar Sites

Figure 3a. National Radar Summary at 20:49Z 03/02/04

Figure 3b: Frederick Oklahoma Radar at 2147 UTC 03/02/04

Figure 4. Color Enhanced Infrared Image of Hurricane Georges, 1045Z, 19 Sep 1999

Figure 5. Dew point temperatures expected at 12 UTC 5 March 2004

Figure 6. Surface isobars with locations shown at 20Z 03/02/04

Figure 6. Surface Chart for 0700Z 9 March 1999