MET 121 Final Exam (Chs. 9-11) / Complete Questions
& Correct Detailed Answers (100% Correct) 2025 /
2026.
What is the function of the National Center for Environmental Prediction? -
(ANSWER)The National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) receives
global weather data from several world meteorological centers many times each
day. The data are analyzed and plotted, and forecasts are prepared and
transmitted to National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP).
How does a weather watch differ from a weather warning? - (ANSWER)Weather
watch- Indicates that atmospheric conditions favor hazardous weather occurring
over a particular region during a specified time period. These hazards may or may
not actually develop, and their timing and location are uncertain, so a watch
simply means be on "watch" for that threat and to be prepared to act if necessary
Weather Warning- Indicates that the hazard now occurring or imminent is
considered to be a threat to life and/or property (tornadoes, thunderstorms, etc)
List at least four tools a weather forecaster might use when making a short-range
forecast - (ANSWER)Doppler radar, surface weather, maps & upper air winds
How does a prog differ from an analysis? - (ANSWER)Analysis is what is going on
right now and a prog is a forecast
In what ways have high-speed computers assisted the meteorologist in making
weather forecasts? - (ANSWER)Computer-generated weather forecasts can
analyze large quantities of data extremely fast. Each day the many thousands of
observations transmitted to NCEP are fed into a high-speed computer, which
,plots and draws lines on surface and upper-air charts. Meteorologists interpret
the weather patterns and then correct any errors that may be present. The
routine daily forecasting of weather by the computer has come to be known as
numerical weather prediction. To help forecasters handle all the available charts
and maps, high-speed data modeling systems using computers are employed.
How are computer-generated forecasts prepared? - (ANSWER)The models are
programmed into the computer, and surface and upper-air observations of
temperature, pressure, moisture, winds, and air density are fed into the
equations. To determine how each of these variables will change, each equation
is solved for a small increment of future time, say, 5 minutes, for a large number
of locations called grid points; each situated a given distance apart. In addition,
each equation is solved for as many as 50 levels in the atmosphere. The results of
these computations are then fed back into the original equations. The computer
again solves the equations with the new "data," thus predicting weather over the
following 5 minutes. The computer then analyzes the data and draws the
projected positions of pressure systems with their isobars or contour lines.
What are some of the problems associated with computer-model forecasts? -
(ANSWER)Observations over uninhabited regions
Weather systems crossing boundaries of models
Forecasting small scale evens with larger grids
Suppose that where you live, the middle of January is typically several degrees
warmer than the rest of the month. If you forecast this "January thaw" for the
, middle of next January, what type of weather forecast will you have made? -
(ANSWER)Climatological
Describe four methods of forecasting the weather and give an example for each
one - (ANSWER)Persistence Forecasts- A prediction that future weather will be
the same as present weather
Steady-state- Surface weather systems tend to move in same direction and at
approximately the same speed as they have been moving, providing no evidence
exists to indicate otherwise
Analogue- Relies on the fact that existing features on a weather chart may
strongly resemble features that produced certain weather conditions sometime in
the past
Statistical- Known as Model Output Statistics (MOS), these predictions, in effect,
are statistically weighted analogue forecast corrections incorporated into the
computer model output
How does pattern recognition aid a forecaster in making a prediction? -
(ANSWER)Patterns recognition aid a forecaster in determining patterns of
divergence and convergence aloft, computer progs, comma clouds observed from
satellite observations, and Doppler radar observations of precipitation.
How can ensemble forecasts improve medium-range forecasts? -
(ANSWER)Ensemble forecasting is a technique based on running several forecast
& Correct Detailed Answers (100% Correct) 2025 /
2026.
What is the function of the National Center for Environmental Prediction? -
(ANSWER)The National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) receives
global weather data from several world meteorological centers many times each
day. The data are analyzed and plotted, and forecasts are prepared and
transmitted to National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP).
How does a weather watch differ from a weather warning? - (ANSWER)Weather
watch- Indicates that atmospheric conditions favor hazardous weather occurring
over a particular region during a specified time period. These hazards may or may
not actually develop, and their timing and location are uncertain, so a watch
simply means be on "watch" for that threat and to be prepared to act if necessary
Weather Warning- Indicates that the hazard now occurring or imminent is
considered to be a threat to life and/or property (tornadoes, thunderstorms, etc)
List at least four tools a weather forecaster might use when making a short-range
forecast - (ANSWER)Doppler radar, surface weather, maps & upper air winds
How does a prog differ from an analysis? - (ANSWER)Analysis is what is going on
right now and a prog is a forecast
In what ways have high-speed computers assisted the meteorologist in making
weather forecasts? - (ANSWER)Computer-generated weather forecasts can
analyze large quantities of data extremely fast. Each day the many thousands of
observations transmitted to NCEP are fed into a high-speed computer, which
,plots and draws lines on surface and upper-air charts. Meteorologists interpret
the weather patterns and then correct any errors that may be present. The
routine daily forecasting of weather by the computer has come to be known as
numerical weather prediction. To help forecasters handle all the available charts
and maps, high-speed data modeling systems using computers are employed.
How are computer-generated forecasts prepared? - (ANSWER)The models are
programmed into the computer, and surface and upper-air observations of
temperature, pressure, moisture, winds, and air density are fed into the
equations. To determine how each of these variables will change, each equation
is solved for a small increment of future time, say, 5 minutes, for a large number
of locations called grid points; each situated a given distance apart. In addition,
each equation is solved for as many as 50 levels in the atmosphere. The results of
these computations are then fed back into the original equations. The computer
again solves the equations with the new "data," thus predicting weather over the
following 5 minutes. The computer then analyzes the data and draws the
projected positions of pressure systems with their isobars or contour lines.
What are some of the problems associated with computer-model forecasts? -
(ANSWER)Observations over uninhabited regions
Weather systems crossing boundaries of models
Forecasting small scale evens with larger grids
Suppose that where you live, the middle of January is typically several degrees
warmer than the rest of the month. If you forecast this "January thaw" for the
, middle of next January, what type of weather forecast will you have made? -
(ANSWER)Climatological
Describe four methods of forecasting the weather and give an example for each
one - (ANSWER)Persistence Forecasts- A prediction that future weather will be
the same as present weather
Steady-state- Surface weather systems tend to move in same direction and at
approximately the same speed as they have been moving, providing no evidence
exists to indicate otherwise
Analogue- Relies on the fact that existing features on a weather chart may
strongly resemble features that produced certain weather conditions sometime in
the past
Statistical- Known as Model Output Statistics (MOS), these predictions, in effect,
are statistically weighted analogue forecast corrections incorporated into the
computer model output
How does pattern recognition aid a forecaster in making a prediction? -
(ANSWER)Patterns recognition aid a forecaster in determining patterns of
divergence and convergence aloft, computer progs, comma clouds observed from
satellite observations, and Doppler radar observations of precipitation.
How can ensemble forecasts improve medium-range forecasts? -
(ANSWER)Ensemble forecasting is a technique based on running several forecast
