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MET 121 Final Exam (Chs. 9-11) Questions
and Answers 100% Pass
What is the function of the National Center for Environmental Prediction? - ANS 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? - ANS 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 -
ANS Doppler radar, surface weather, maps & upper air winds
How does a prog differ from an analysis? - ANS 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? - ANS 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
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, ©FYNDLAY 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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? - ANS 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? -
ANS 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? - ANS Climatological
Describe four methods of forecasting the weather and give an example for each one -
ANS Persistence Forecasts- A prediction that future weather will be the same as present
weather
©FYNDLAY 2
MET 121 Final Exam (Chs. 9-11) Questions
and Answers 100% Pass
What is the function of the National Center for Environmental Prediction? - ANS 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? - ANS 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 -
ANS Doppler radar, surface weather, maps & upper air winds
How does a prog differ from an analysis? - ANS 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? - ANS 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
©FYNDLAY 1
, ©FYNDLAY 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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? - ANS 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? -
ANS 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? - ANS Climatological
Describe four methods of forecasting the weather and give an example for each one -
ANS Persistence Forecasts- A prediction that future weather will be the same as present
weather
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