ATSC 113 Final Study Guide Exam
Questions with Correct Answers
What are sources of weak wind shear? - Answer-Sea/lake/land breeze
anabatic winds
katabatic winds
Does temperature increase smoothly going up in altitude? - Answer-No, temp goes
(down, up, down, up)
What are the layers of the atmosphere? - Answer-troposphere, stratosphere,
mesosphere, thermosphere
What is static stability? - Answer-When warm air is above cold air -> stable, opposite is
unstable
What are extratropical cyclones? - Answer-Cyclones that form outside of the
tropical/mid altitude zones (30 - 60degrees)
What are sting jets? - Answer-Rare phenomenon produced by specific extratropical
storms where cold and warm fronts never meet. Strong winds leave devastation
squall line - Answer-a row of severe thunderstorms, usually associated with a cold front
waterspout - Answer-a tornado that forms over water (move from land to sea, or start
from water and move to clouds)
Downburst - Answer-A sudden rush of cool air toward ground that can impact with
speeds over 70 mph and produce damage similar to that of a tornado. It usually occurs
near the leading edge of the storm or may occur in heavy rain.
Mirage - Answer-inferior (rays bent upward)
superior (rays bent downward)
Green Flash - Answer-occurs before sunrise or after sunset when a green spot is visible
in the sky for a second or two. Caused by a refraction of light in the atmosphere and
light moving slower through thinner air causing rays to curve slightly
fata morgana - Answer-inverted image (still a mirage)
cumuliform clouds - Answer-*connective clouds* Puffy and associated with updrafts.
Form when humid air rises through colder air. *associated with cold fronts* Types:
humilis (small), mediocris, congestus, cumulonimbus
Questions with Correct Answers
What are sources of weak wind shear? - Answer-Sea/lake/land breeze
anabatic winds
katabatic winds
Does temperature increase smoothly going up in altitude? - Answer-No, temp goes
(down, up, down, up)
What are the layers of the atmosphere? - Answer-troposphere, stratosphere,
mesosphere, thermosphere
What is static stability? - Answer-When warm air is above cold air -> stable, opposite is
unstable
What are extratropical cyclones? - Answer-Cyclones that form outside of the
tropical/mid altitude zones (30 - 60degrees)
What are sting jets? - Answer-Rare phenomenon produced by specific extratropical
storms where cold and warm fronts never meet. Strong winds leave devastation
squall line - Answer-a row of severe thunderstorms, usually associated with a cold front
waterspout - Answer-a tornado that forms over water (move from land to sea, or start
from water and move to clouds)
Downburst - Answer-A sudden rush of cool air toward ground that can impact with
speeds over 70 mph and produce damage similar to that of a tornado. It usually occurs
near the leading edge of the storm or may occur in heavy rain.
Mirage - Answer-inferior (rays bent upward)
superior (rays bent downward)
Green Flash - Answer-occurs before sunrise or after sunset when a green spot is visible
in the sky for a second or two. Caused by a refraction of light in the atmosphere and
light moving slower through thinner air causing rays to curve slightly
fata morgana - Answer-inverted image (still a mirage)
cumuliform clouds - Answer-*connective clouds* Puffy and associated with updrafts.
Form when humid air rises through colder air. *associated with cold fronts* Types:
humilis (small), mediocris, congestus, cumulonimbus
