Jan Science Test

Question 1

Why do people try to predict the weather?

Answer 1

To prepare for changes that affect safety, travel, agriculture, and daily activities.

Question 2

What is the first step in weather forecasting?

Answer 2

Collecting weather data through direct observation and instruments.

Question 3

What does falling air pressure usually indicate?

Answer 3

An approaching low-pressure system that may bring rain or snow.

Question 4

How can clouds be used to predict weather?

Answer 4

Growing cumulus clouds may become thunderstorms, while high cirrus clouds can signal an approaching warm front.

Question 5

Who are meteorologists?

Answer 5

Scientists who study weather conditions and try to predict future weather.

Question 6

What sources do meteorologists use to collect data?

Answer 6

Weather balloons, satellites, radar, surface stations, and local observers.

Question 7

Why do meteorologists use computers?

Answer 7

To analyze large amounts of weather data and run forecast models.

Question 8

What is radar used for?

Answer 8

Tracking rain, snow, and severe storms such as tornadoes.

Question 9

What role does the National Weather Service play?

Answer 9

It gathers weather data and provides forecasts and warnings.

Question 10

Why are short-range forecasts more accurate than long-range forecasts?

Answer 10

Because small changes in the atmosphere grow over time, reducing accuracy.

Question 11

What is the butterfly effect?

Answer 11

The idea that small atmospheric changes can lead to large weather changes later.

Question 12

What information is shown on weather maps?

Answer 12

Temperature, air pressure, cloud cover, wind speed, wind direction, fronts, and precipitation.

Question 13

What are isobars?

Answer 13

Lines on a weather map connecting places with equal air pressure.

Question 14

What are isotherms?

Answer 14

Lines on a weather map connecting places with equal temperature.

Question 15

Why do meteorologists revise forecasts?

Answer 15

New data constantly changes weather model calculations.

Question 16

What is an air mass?

Answer 16

A large body of air with similar temperature, humidity, and air pressure throughout.

Question 17

What two characteristics classify air masses?

Answer 17

Temperature and humidity.

Question 18

What does ‘maritime’ mean for air masses?

Answer 18

The air mass forms over water and is humid.

Question 19

What does ‘continental’ mean for air masses?

Answer 19

The air mass forms over land and is dry.

Question 20

What does ‘tropical’ mean for air masses?

Answer 20

The air mass forms in warm regions near the equator.

Question 21

What does ‘polar’ mean for air masses?

Answer 21

The air mass forms in cold regions near the poles.

Question 22

What is a maritime tropical air mass like?

Answer 22

Warm and humid, often bringing summer thunderstorms.

Question 23

What is a maritime polar air mass like?

Answer 23

Cool and humid, often bringing clouds, fog, and rain.

Question 24

What is a continental tropical air mass like?

Answer 24

Hot and dry, common in the southwestern United States.

Question 25

What is a continental polar air mass like?

Answer 25

Cold and dry, often bringing clear winter weather.

Question 26

How do air masses move across the U.S.?

Answer 26

They are pushed from west to east by prevailing westerlies and jet streams.

Question 27

What is a front?

Answer 27

The boundary where two air masses meet and do not mix easily.

Question 28

Why do storms often form along fronts?

Answer 28

Because warm air is forced upward, causing clouds and precipitation.

Question 29

What happens during a cold front?

Answer 29

Cold air moves under warm air, causing rapid uplift and storms.

Question 30

What weather follows a cold front?

Answer 30

Cooler, drier air and clearing skies.

Question 31

What happens during a warm front?

Answer 31

Warm air rises slowly over cold air, producing steady precipitation.

Question 32

What weather follows a warm front?

Answer 32

Warm, humid conditions.

Question 33

What is a stationary front?

Answer 33

A front where neither air mass moves, causing prolonged clouds and rain.

Question 34

What is an occluded front?

Answer 34

When warm air is trapped between two cooler air masses.

Question 35

What is a cyclone?

Answer 35

A low-pressure system with rising air, clouds, and precipitation.

Question 36

How do winds move in a cyclone in the Northern Hemisphere?

Answer 36

They spiral inward counterclockwise.

Question 37

What weather is associated with cyclones?

Answer 37

Cloudy, windy, and wet weather.

Question 38

What is an anticyclone?

Answer 38

A high-pressure system with sinking air.

Question 39

How do winds move in an anticyclone?

Answer 39

They spiral outward clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.

Question 40

What weather is associated with anticyclones?

Answer 40

Clear, dry, and calm weather.

Question 41

What is a storm?

Answer 41

A violent disturbance in the atmosphere involving rapid air movement.

Question 42

What causes thunderstorms?

Answer 42

Rapidly rising warm, moist air in cumulonimbus clouds.

Question 43

Why do thunderstorms often form along cold fronts?

Answer 43

Cold air forces warm air upward quickly.

Question 44

What causes lightning?

Answer 44

Electrical charges jumping between clouds or from clouds to the ground.

Question 45

What causes thunder?

Answer 45

Rapid expansion of air heated by lightning.

Question 46

What dangers come from thunderstorms?

Answer 46

Flooding, lightning strikes, hail, strong winds, and fires.

Question 47

Why is lightning dangerous?

Answer 47

It can cause severe burns, heart failure, and fires.

Question 48

What safety steps should be taken during thunderstorms?

Answer 48

Stay indoors, avoid metal, water, and tall objects.

Question 49

What is a tornado?

Answer 49

A rapidly rotating funnel-shaped cloud that touches the ground.

Question 50

Where do tornadoes most often occur?

Answer 50

In Tornado Alley in the central United States.

Question 51

What conditions create tornadoes?

Answer 51

Warm, humid air meeting cold, dry air with wind shear.

Question 52

How are tornadoes rated?

Answer 52

By the Fujita scale based on damage.

Question 53

What causes tornado damage?

Answer 53

Extreme winds and flying debris.

Question 54

What is a hurricane?

Answer 54

A tropical cyclone with winds of at least 74 mph.

Question 55

Where do hurricanes form?

Answer 55

Over warm ocean waters near the equator.

Question 56

What is the eye of a hurricane?

Answer 56

The calm center of the storm.

Question 57

What is a storm surge?

Answer 57

A rise in ocean water pushed ashore by hurricane winds.

Question 58

Why are storm surges dangerous?

Answer 58

They cause severe coastal flooding and erosion.

Question 59

What is lake-effect snow?

Answer 59

Snow that forms when cold air passes over warmer lake water.

Question 60

Why are Great Lakes cities affected by lake-effect snow?

Answer 60

Cold air absorbs moisture from lakes and drops heavy snow downwind.

Question 61

What dangers come from winter storms?

Answer 61

Extreme cold, heavy snow, poor visibility, and power outages.