Severe Weather
This large, swirling storm forms over warm tropical waters which provide the moisture and energy it needs to grow.
What is a hurricane.
On a station model, the Wind Direction is shown by a "staff." Does the wind get its name from where it is blowing to or where it is coming from?
What is where it is coming from.
This is the term for the temperature at which air is 100% saturated and condensation (like clouds or dew) begins to form.
What is dewpoint temperature.
In a High Pressure system, how does the air generally move?
What is outward and clockwise.
This is the name of the process where liquid water turns into water vapor, adding moisture to the air.
What is evaporation.
To be safe during a tornado, you should move to the lowest level of a building and stay away from these, which can shatter from high winds.
According to the Present Weather table on p. 18, which symbol (a dot, a star, or a comma) represents Drizzle?
What is a comma.
If the air temperature and the dewpoint on a station model are very close together (66 and 65 degrees), is the Relative Humidity high or low?
What is high.
These lines on a weather map connect points of equal air pressure. If they are very close together, the wind is blowing very fast.
What are isobars.
While rain is liquid, this type of precipitation forms when rain freezes as it falls through a layer of cold air before hitting the ground.
What is sleet.
This is the most dangerous part of a hurricane; it is a "dome" of water pushed onto the coast by the storm's intense winds.
What is storm surge.
If the center circle of a station model is completely shaded (black), what is the Cloud Cover percentage?
What is 100%
When Relative Humidity reaches 100%, we say the air is __________, meaning it is holding the maximum amount of water vapor possible.
What is saturated.
A Low Pressure system (cyclone) in the Northern Hemisphere has winds that blow in these two directions.
What is inward and counterclockwise.
Why does a hurricane "die" or weaken significantly as soon as it moves over a large landmass?
What is because it loses its energy source (warm water).
A blizzard is defined by winds over 35 mph and visibility less than 1/4 mile for at least this many hours.
What is 3 hours.
Looking at the Station Model Key on p. 18, which temperature is always written in the bottom left corner?
What is the dewpoint temperature.
This instrument uses a "wet-bulb" and a "dry-bulb" thermometer to help meteorologists determine the humidity.
What is a sling psychrometer.
Low Pressure is usually associated with "lousy" weather (clouds and rain), while High Pressure usually brings this kind of weather.
What is clear, sunny, or "happy".
True or False: A "Rising" barometric trend usually means clear, fair weather is coming.
What is true.
In the United States, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes often form when cold, dry air from Canada crashes into warm, moist air from this body of water.
What is the Gulf of Mexico.
On a station model, if the Barometric Trend is +12, it means the air pressure has done this over the last 3 hours.
What is risen or increased.
As air temperature increases (gets warmer) without adding more water, what generally happens to the Relative Humidity?
What is decreases.
Because cold air is more dense than warm air, it usually creates this type of pressure system at the surface.
What is high pressure.
As air pressure drops (decreases) rapidly, what kind of weather change should a person expect to see outside?
What is stormy, cloudy, or rainy weather is approaching.