El Nino/La Nina
Jet Stream/Gulf Stream
Fronts/Pressure Systems
Weather Maps
Global/Local Winds
Seasons/Weather/Climat
Reading Charts/Graphs
Predicting Weather
Hurricanes
100

How could La Niña affect weather during the summer in North Carolina?

A.It could decrease wind.

B.It could increase rainfall. 

C.It could decrease rainfall.

C.It could decrease rainfall.

100

Which affects the coast of North Carolina, causing it to receive less snow than the rest of the state?

A.El Niño

B.La Niña

C.the Jet Stream

D.the Gulf Stream

D.the Gulf Stream

100

A cold front is expected to affect the local area over night. Which weather condition will most likely occur?

A.cloudy skies, precipitation, and increased temperatures

B.cloudy skies, precipitation, and decreased temperatures

C.clear skies, no precipitation, and increased temperatures

D.clear skies, no precipitation, and decreased temperatures

B.cloudy skies, precipitation, and decreased temperatures

100

What kind of weather has Denver experienced?

A. lingering rain showers

B. clear skies, sunny

C. thunderstorms

D. blizzard

A. lingering rain showers

100

Which of these actions causes wind?

A.rotation of Earth on its axis

B.movement of air from water to land

C.uneven heating of Earth’s surface

D.air passing Earth as it revolves around the Sun

C.uneven heating of Earth’s surface

100

A student states the weather is the same as the climate. Which response BEST tells the student the difference between weather and climate?

A.Weather is about the wind and the rain, but climate is about the clouds.

B.Weather is the conditions in one day, but climate is the conditions over a long time.

C.Weather is measured with tools like thermometers, but climate is measured with tools likeforecasts.

D.Weather is recorded on charts, but climate is recorded on world maps.

B.Weather is the conditions in one day, but climate is the conditions over a long time.

100

The graphs below show monthly temperature and precipitation data.

Which prediction could be made based on the data?

A.Next year, the warmest months will have the most precipitation.

B.Next year, the warmest months will have the least precipitation.

C.Next year, the coldest months will have the most precipitation.

D.Next year, the coldest months will have the least precipitation.

C.Next year, the coldest months will have the most precipitation.

100

The diagram below shows a weather map. 

Which city is MOST likely to experience the cold front first?

A.Athens

B.Dayton

C.Marietta

D.Steubenville

B.Dayton

100

What is the major source of energy for tropical storms?

A.frozen river beds

B.warm ocean waters

C.cold and drafty waters

B.warm ocean waters

200

Which lists some effects of El Niño?

A.warmer temperatures and more rain

B.warmer temperatures and less rain

C.cooler temperatures and less rain

A.warmer temperatures and more rain

200

What impact does the Gulf Stream have on North Carolina’s coastal climate?

A.The cold water from the Gulf Stream current cools the land.

B.The warm water from the Gulf Stream current warms the land.

C.The cold water from the Gulf Stream current decreases inland wind speeds.

D.The warm water from the Gulf Stream current increases inland windspeeds.

B.The warm water from the Gulf Stream current warms the land.

200

Sandy wanted to take pictures of cirrus clouds at school; however, the morning weather report indicated a low-pressure system over her area. Why will Sandy have to wait to see cirrus clouds?

A.because low-pressure systems generally bring cool, dry air

B.because low-pressure systems generally bring fair weather

C.because low-pressure systems generally do not bring clouds

D.because low-pressure systems generally bring rainy weather

D.because low-pressure systems generally bring rainy weather

200

Which city is most likely experiencing severe weather? 

A. Seattle

B. Dallas

C. Houston

D. Denver

B. Dallas

200


Which weather pattern has the most influence on the weather in North Carolina?

A.Polar Easterlies

B.Polar Westerlies

C.Prevailing Easterlies

D.Prevailing Westerlies

D.Prevailing Westerlies

200

Which statement about Hawaii refers to its climate?

A.A blizzard occurs on one of Hawaii’s tallest mountain peaks.

B.A high temperature of 37.8°C was recorded earlier today in Hawaii.

C.The mountains were shaded by cumulus clouds on a Tuesday afternoon.

D.The coolest months are February and March.

D.The coolest months are February and March.

200

The graph below shows the average temperature in Raleigh, NC, for ayear. 

Which best shows the average temperature for the month of June in North Carolina?

A.40°F

B.50°F

C.63°F

D.70°F

C.63°F

200


On a cold winter day with temperatures below 32°F, the local meteorologist records falling air pressure. Which type of weather will most likely occur?

A.rain

B.clear skies

C.a snowstorm

D.a thunderstorm

C.a snowstorm

200

Which best describes a hurricane? 

A a low-pressure weather system

B a high-pressure weather system 

C a cold front 

D a stationary front

A a low-pressure weather system

300

What is the cause of rising surface temperatures of the Pacific Ocean, drought in the western United States, and flooding on the Pacific coast of South America?

A.the Gulf Stream

B.the jet stream

C.La Niña

D.El Niño

D.El Niño

300

Which best describes the Gulf Stream?

A.an ocean current which originates in the Gulf of Mexico and causes warm water to travel up the east coast of the United States

B.an ocean current which originates in the Gulf of Mexico and causes cool water to travel up the east coast of the United States

C.an ocean current which originates in the Gulf of Mexico and causes warm water to travel down the east coast of Mexico

D.an ocean current which originates in the Gulf of Mexico and causes cool water to travel down the east coast of Mexico

A.an ocean current which originates in the Gulf of Mexico and causes warm water to travel up the east coast of the United States

300

Which correctly compares low- and high-pressure weather systems?

A.A low-pressure system usually brings cool dry air and clear skies, while a high-pressure system brings clouds and precipitation.

B.A low-pressure system usually brings clouds and precipitation, while a high-pressure system brings cool dry air and clear skies.  

C.A low-pressure system usually brings warm dry air and clear skies, while a high-pressure system usually brings warm moist air and precipitation.

B.A low-pressure system usually brings clouds and precipitation, while a high-pressure system brings cool dry air and clear skies.  

300

The weather maps show temperatures and rain chances for four locations over a two-day period.

Rain chances increase in which numbered location?A.1

B.2

C.3

D.4 

B.2 

300

Land heats up faster during the day than water does. As the beach gets warm during theday, it heats the air above it. The warm air rises and cool air from the ocean is pulled in toreplace it. So, air flows from the ocean to the land. At night, the land cools faster than theocean. 

What MOST likely happens to the air at the beach at night?

A.The air is still.

B.The air moves along the coast.

C.The air flows from the ocean to the land.

D.The air flows from the land to the ocean.

D.The air flows from the land to the ocean.

300

Which is true of the seasonal weather patterns of places that are at the same latitude? 

A.They have the same wind patterns.

B.They have the same amount of rain.

C.They have the same intensity of sunlight.

D.They have the same kinds of severe weather.

C.They have the same intensity of sunlight.

300

Gloria gathered the data in the table for July. 

Which conclusion is BEST supported by the data?

A.July is summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

B.July is rainy in the Northern Hemisphere and dry in the Southern Hemisphere.

C.July is the coldest month of the year in Sydney, Australia.

D.July is the warmest month of the year in Los Angeles, CA.

A.July is summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

300

In the winter, the air pressure has been decreasing over several days. Which weather will most likely occur?

A.clear skies and hot temperatures

B.clear skies and cold temperatures

C.cloudy skies and heavy snowstorms

D.cloudy skies and strong thunderstorms

C.cloudy skies and heavy snowstorms

300

How do hurricanes move in the northern hemisphere?

A. counter-clockwise and east to west

B. clockwise and east to west

C. counter-clockwise and west to east

D. clockwise and west to east

A. counter-clockwise and east to west

400

Which causes the subtropical jet stream to bring cold, wet winter weather to the southeastern United States?

A.El Niño

B.La Niña

C.Coriolis effect

D.Santa Ana winds

A.El Niño

400

Study the map of the polar jet stream below. 

What type of weather would MOST likely appear at the location marked X?

A.cold and dry

B.cold and wet

C.warm and dry

D.warm and wet

D.warm and wet

400

How would weather conditions in an area change if a high pressure system replaced a low pressure system?

A.The area would become more stormy and rainy.

B.The area would become more humid and warmer.

C.The area would become cooler with less humidity.

D.The area would become warmer with strong winds.

C.The area would become cooler with less humidity.

400

The map below is used to predict the weather for Tuesday. 

Which city MOST likely will be clear and dry?

A.Alexandria

B.Shreveport

C.New Orleans

D.Lake Charles

C.New Orleans

400


Hurricanes that hit the east coast of the United States often start as low-pressure systems off the west coast of Africa. Which global winds move these hurricanes toward the United States?

A.polar easterlies

B.prevailing westerlies

C.northeast trade winds

D.southeast trade winds

D.southeast trade winds

400

Which observation describes a change in climate rather than a change in weather?

A.The thunderstorm dropped about three centimeters of rain today.

B.The average summer temperatures have increased over the last ten years.

C.The snowfall in this area was more this week than it was last week.

D.The average wind speed in April was less than it was in March.

B.The average summer temperatures have increased over the last ten years.

400

Jason’s table shows weather conditions for an area for the four seasons of one year. Itrains more in the spring than in the fall in this area. 

The data in the table are NOT in order by season. Column 2 is winter. Which sequence below places the columns in order by season?

A.2 4 1 3

B.2 3 4 2

C.2 1 3 4

D.2 4 3 1

C.2 1 3 4

400

What type of weather conditions will most likely occur if a thunderstormis approaching an area? 

A.a decrease in wind speed and temperature

B.an increase in wind speed and precipitation

C.an increase in wind speed and a decrease in precipitation

D.A decrease in wind speed and an increase in air pressure

B.an increase in wind speed and precipitation

400

Which best describes how changes in air pressure can affect the development of a hurricane?

A.Cooling ocean water causes air pressure to drop. This causes high winds and rain to develop, which may become a hurricane.

B.Cooling ocean water causes air pressure to rise. This causes light winds and snow to develop, which may become a hurricane.

C.Warming ocean water causes air pressure to rise. This causes light winds and sleet to develop, which may become a hurricane.

D.Warming ocean water causes air pressure to drop. This causes high winds and thunderstorms to develop, which may become a hurricane.

D.Warming ocean water causes air pressure to drop. This causes high winds and thunderstorms to develop, which may become a hurricane.

500

Which best explains why North Carolina’s winter weather could vary from what is normally predicted during a La Niña event?

A.A slight dip in the jet stream could bring colder weather.

B.Prevailing westerlies will push air masses from west to east.

C.Cold air from the Gulf Stream could interact with the jet stream and cause winter storms.

D.Strong surface currents can push hurricane storms away from the North Carolina coastline.

A.A slight dip in the jet stream could bring colder weather.

500

Alberta Clippers are fast-moving winter low-pressure systems. 

These systems start over the Canadian province of Alberta. The polar jet stream carries them across the United States. Alberta Clippers often bring very cold air and snow. Which of the following shapes the jet stream carrying these systems?

A.the temperature of Earth’s surface

B.the location of other pressure systems

C.the path of the subtropical jet stream

D.the direction of Earth’s tilt from the Sun

B. the location of other pressure systems

500

This chart shows the current weather data for four cities. 

Which city is most likely to experience precipitation?A.City W

B.City X

C.City Y

D.City Z

C.City Y

500

The map below is used to predict the weather. 

Students in which city will MOST likely want to wear a raincoat the next day?

A.Denver

B.Houston

C.New York City

D.Seattle

A.Denver

500

Which is the best explanation for how air masses move across the United States?

A.The prevailing westerlies move air masses from west to east across the United States but may be deflected by the jet stream.

B.The trade winds move air masses from west to east across the United States.

C.The jet stream moves air masses from the Pacific Ocean across the United States.

D.The warm air of the Gulf Stream causes air masses to move from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

A.The prevailing westerlies move air masses from west to east across the United States but may be deflected by the jet stream.

500

Andy lives in the southern hemisphere. What season does he most likely experience in August? 

A.spring

B.summer

C.winter

D.autumn

C.winter

500

Shoko collected these temperatures for four spring days in a row. Then he compared them to typical average temperatures for each day. 

Which conclusion is BEST supported by Shoko’s data?

A.Days 1 and 4 had typical temperatures for the season.

B.Days 2 and 3 had typical temperatures for the season.

C.Days 3 and 4 had typical temperatures for the season.

D.None of the days had typical temperatures for the season

D.None of the days had typical temperatures for the season.

500

A cold front will move through Raleigh late Wednesday afternoon. Which type of weather conditions will Raleigh most likely experience during that time?

A.cooler temperatures Tuesday, clear skies late Wednesday, and warm temperatures on Thursday

B.warmer temperatures Tuesday, clear skies late Wednesday, and cooler temperatures on Thursday

C.warmer temperatures Tuesday, stormy weather late Wednesday, and cooler temperatures on Thursday

D.cooler temperatures Tuesday, stormy weather late Wednesday, and warmer temperatures on Thursday

C.warmer temperatures Tuesday, stormy weather late Wednesday, and cooler temperatures on Thursday

500

Which is most likely to happen when a tropical storm moves from the coast of Africa toward the United States, and water temperatures increase?

A.The tropical storm will continue to move westward and decrease in strength.

B.The tropical storm will continue to move westward and increase in strength.

C.The tropical storm will change direction and begin to move eastward and decrease in strength.

D.The tropical storm will change direction and begin to move eastward and increase in strength.

B.The tropical storm will continue to move westward and increase instrength.

600

Why would residents along the coast of North Carolina most likely be concerned about a strong La Niña event in August?

A.La Niña returns every 2–7 years.

B.La Niña can mean an active hurricane season.

C.La Niña can mean a decrease in winter precipitation.

D.La Niña is associated with very warm ocean temperatures.

B.La Niña can mean an active hurricane season.

600

What will most likely result when the jet stream moves south of North Carolina?

A.North Carolina will experience tropical weather conditions.

B.North Carolina will experience hot, dry weather.

C.North Carolina will experience mild weather.

D.North Carolina will experience cold weather.

D.North Carolina will experience cold weather.

600

The graphic below shows an approaching cold front. 

What will most likely happen as a result of the approaching cold front?

A.It will produce no precipitation.

B.It will produce some precipitation.

C.It will produce brief periods of heavy precipitation.

C.It will produce brief periods of heavy precipitation.

600

This map shows part of the Atlantic Ocean. 

If a tropical storm forms off the west coast of Africa, what effect will the storm most likely have on weather in the eastern parts of North America? 

A. a reduction in the probability of severe winter weather 

B. an increase in the probability of severe winter weather 

C. a reduction in the probability of a hurricane 

D. an increase in the probability of a hurricane

D. an increase in the probability of a hurricane

600

The graphic below shows a sea breeze. 

What will most likely happen to the wind after the sun goes down?

A.The wind will continue to blow in the same direction.

B.The wind will blow in the opposite direction.

C.The wind will increase in speed.

B.The wind will blow in the opposite direction.

600

Which statement best describes how weather patterns along the equator differ from weather patterns in the mid latitudes?

A.Temperatures along the equator vary with the seasons, while temperatures in the mid latitudes are consistently cold.

B.Temperatures along the equator vary with the seasons, while temperatures in the mid latitudes are consistently warm.

C.Temperatures in the mid latitudes vary with the seasons, while temperatures along the equator are consistently warm.

C.Temperatures in the mid latitudes vary with the seasons, while temperatures along the equator are consistently warm.

600

The table below shows weather conditions in four cities. 

In which city is the weather most likely to change within the next few hours?

A.City P

B.City Q

C.City R

D.City S

B.City Q

600

On a cold, cloudy day, the local weather forecaster predicts that a high-pressure system will be moving into the area in the next 24 hours. Which weather conditions will this system most likely bring to the area?

A.stormy

B.sunny

C.snowy

D.hot

B.sunny

600

Which conditions are most likely to create a hurricane off the coast of North Carolina?

A.Cool water temperatures and a tropical storm moving from the northeast.

B.Cool water temperatures and a tropical storm moving from the southeast.

C.Warm water temperatures and a tropical storm moving from the northeast.

D.Warm water temperatures and a tropical storm moving from the southeast.

D.Warm water temperatures and a tropical storm moving from thesoutheast

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