WX 201 Exam 2 | Meteorology and Atmospheric Science Test Review
Analysis Chart - (ANSWER)Depict actual data obtained at a given observation time
Forecast Chart - (ANSWER)Computer model charts predicting future conditions of the atmosphere;
surface charts and upper level charts are created
Constant altitude charts - (ANSWER)All locations at the same altitude above ground level (for surface
analysis, pressures are typically adjusted to MSL)
Constant pressure charts - (ANSWER)all locations on the chart have the same pressure; contour lines of
equal height of the atmospheric column to that pressure level; typically used for elevated levels of the
atmosphere such as 700 and 500 mb
How are surface analyses created? - (ANSWER)-NOA/NWS is the primary source of data in the U.S
-Identify: lows, highs, thoughts, ridges, fronts and station model symbols
Isobaric charts - (ANSWER)-Acquired through radiosondes, satellite, and aircraft
Upper Air Station Model - (ANSWER)Temperature, wind, dew point, height
Standard Pressure Levels - (ANSWER)1013mb- 0 ft
850mb- 5,000 ft
700mb- 10,000 ft
500mb- 18,000 ft
300mb- 30,000 ft
250mb- 39,000 ft
Location of jet streams - (ANSWER)-Bands of strong wind at tropopause level
-Clear air turbulence
- lead to development and movement of cyclones
, WX 201 Exam 2 | Meteorology and Atmospheric Science Test Review
Vertical Motion - (ANSWER)-Rising motion = air expands and cools = clouds and precipitation may form
if the air is sufficiently humid
-Sinking motion = air is compressed and warms= clearing skies
Sources of Vertical Motion - (ANSWER)1. Convergence / divergence
2. Topography
3. Fronts
4. Convection
5. Wave motion
6. Turbulence
Convergence / Divergence - (ANSWER)-Convergence occurs when there is more inflow to than outflow
from a region (arrows pointing inward toward each other)
-Divergence occurs when there is more outflow from than inflow to a region (arrows away from each
other)
-Sinking motion develops when there is convergence aloft with divergence at the surface
-Rising motion develops when there is divergence aloft with surface convergence
What will cause surface low to strengthen and vice versa? - (ANSWER)-Surface low pressure strengthens
when upper level divergence exceeds surface convergence
-Surface high pressure strengthens when upper level convergence exceeds surface divergence
Buoyancy - (ANSWER)-Less dense than surrounding fluid = positively buoyant = accelerated upward
-More dense than surrounding fluid = negatively buoyant = accelerates downward
-warmer parcel rices and colder parcels sink
Stable - (ANSWER)generates a restoring force back to initial position
Analysis Chart - (ANSWER)Depict actual data obtained at a given observation time
Forecast Chart - (ANSWER)Computer model charts predicting future conditions of the atmosphere;
surface charts and upper level charts are created
Constant altitude charts - (ANSWER)All locations at the same altitude above ground level (for surface
analysis, pressures are typically adjusted to MSL)
Constant pressure charts - (ANSWER)all locations on the chart have the same pressure; contour lines of
equal height of the atmospheric column to that pressure level; typically used for elevated levels of the
atmosphere such as 700 and 500 mb
How are surface analyses created? - (ANSWER)-NOA/NWS is the primary source of data in the U.S
-Identify: lows, highs, thoughts, ridges, fronts and station model symbols
Isobaric charts - (ANSWER)-Acquired through radiosondes, satellite, and aircraft
Upper Air Station Model - (ANSWER)Temperature, wind, dew point, height
Standard Pressure Levels - (ANSWER)1013mb- 0 ft
850mb- 5,000 ft
700mb- 10,000 ft
500mb- 18,000 ft
300mb- 30,000 ft
250mb- 39,000 ft
Location of jet streams - (ANSWER)-Bands of strong wind at tropopause level
-Clear air turbulence
- lead to development and movement of cyclones
, WX 201 Exam 2 | Meteorology and Atmospheric Science Test Review
Vertical Motion - (ANSWER)-Rising motion = air expands and cools = clouds and precipitation may form
if the air is sufficiently humid
-Sinking motion = air is compressed and warms= clearing skies
Sources of Vertical Motion - (ANSWER)1. Convergence / divergence
2. Topography
3. Fronts
4. Convection
5. Wave motion
6. Turbulence
Convergence / Divergence - (ANSWER)-Convergence occurs when there is more inflow to than outflow
from a region (arrows pointing inward toward each other)
-Divergence occurs when there is more outflow from than inflow to a region (arrows away from each
other)
-Sinking motion develops when there is convergence aloft with divergence at the surface
-Rising motion develops when there is divergence aloft with surface convergence
What will cause surface low to strengthen and vice versa? - (ANSWER)-Surface low pressure strengthens
when upper level divergence exceeds surface convergence
-Surface high pressure strengthens when upper level convergence exceeds surface divergence
Buoyancy - (ANSWER)-Less dense than surrounding fluid = positively buoyant = accelerated upward
-More dense than surrounding fluid = negatively buoyant = accelerates downward
-warmer parcel rices and colder parcels sink
Stable - (ANSWER)generates a restoring force back to initial position
