WX 301 - Exam 3 Questions and
Answers 100% Pass
Surface low pressure centers tend to develop ___________ a 500 mb trough. - ✔✔To the
right of
At which level does an air parcel begin to rise due to buoyancy alone? - ✔✔Level of free
convection
Which phase of a thunderstorm's life cycle is comprised of primarily updrafts? -
✔✔Cumulus phase
CAPE is defined as the area where the air parcel is warmer the environment between
the _______ and the _______ . - ✔✔LFC; EL
Which of the following is NOT a necessary ingredient for thunderstorm formation?
instability
none of the above (i.e., all are necessary)
lifting mechanism
low-level moisture - ✔✔none of the above (i.e., all are necessary)
The additional ingredient that makes the environment favorable for severe
thunderstorms is ________ . - ✔✔vertical wind shear
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY BRITTIE DONALD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Which radar reflectivity product shows the highest observed radar reflectivity at a
location regardless of the altitude at which it occurs? - ✔✔Composite
Radar accurately shows where any clouds are occurring, - ✔✔False
Which radar volume coverage pattern (VCP), also known as the "scanning strategy," is
the radar rotating at slower speeds and also set to be more sensitive? - ✔✔Clear air
mode
Which U.S. state has the highest number of days with thunderstorms? - ✔✔Florida
Which U.S. state has the greatest frequency of severe thunderstorms? - ✔✔Oklahoma
If a thunderstorm produces hail with 1.5 inch diameter and winds gusting to 40 knots
but no tornado, would the storm be considered severe by the NWS? Choose the best
response. - ✔✔Yes, because the TS exceeded the hail threshold of 1 inch diameter.
This type of thunderstorm is primarily defined by the presence of a rotating updraft. In
addition, they have a high likelihood of producing severe convective weather. -
✔✔Supercell
This type of connective weather consists of a broad area or cluster of individual
thunderstorms. On satellite they appear elliptical to circular in shape and are typically
large enough to cover an entire mid-western state. - ✔✔MCC
The cold air associated with the downdraft from a thunderstorm can spread out upon
reaching the ground and provide a lifting mechanism for new thunderstorm growth.
This best describes the _____________ of the thunderstorm. - ✔✔Outflow boundary or
gust front.
Thunderstorms generally move at the same speed and direction as the 3,500 feet flight-
level winds, much like a cork floating in water. - ✔✔False
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, An ordinary thunderstorm is typically strongest when it _____________________. -
✔✔consists of an updraft/downdraft pair.
Which of the below conditions would likely be most favorable for thunderstorm
development?
CAPE: 0
KI: 15
LI: +20
CAPE: 3500
LI: -8
KI: 35
CAPE: -2000
LI: +50
KI: -10 - ✔✔CAPE: 3500
LI: -8
KI: 35
In Florida, the sea breeze often provides sufficient left to trigger thunderstorms. In the
below satellite image, which line best identifies the leading edge of the sea breeze front?
- ✔✔B (line in the middle)
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY BRITTIE DONALD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
Answers 100% Pass
Surface low pressure centers tend to develop ___________ a 500 mb trough. - ✔✔To the
right of
At which level does an air parcel begin to rise due to buoyancy alone? - ✔✔Level of free
convection
Which phase of a thunderstorm's life cycle is comprised of primarily updrafts? -
✔✔Cumulus phase
CAPE is defined as the area where the air parcel is warmer the environment between
the _______ and the _______ . - ✔✔LFC; EL
Which of the following is NOT a necessary ingredient for thunderstorm formation?
instability
none of the above (i.e., all are necessary)
lifting mechanism
low-level moisture - ✔✔none of the above (i.e., all are necessary)
The additional ingredient that makes the environment favorable for severe
thunderstorms is ________ . - ✔✔vertical wind shear
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY BRITTIE DONALD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Which radar reflectivity product shows the highest observed radar reflectivity at a
location regardless of the altitude at which it occurs? - ✔✔Composite
Radar accurately shows where any clouds are occurring, - ✔✔False
Which radar volume coverage pattern (VCP), also known as the "scanning strategy," is
the radar rotating at slower speeds and also set to be more sensitive? - ✔✔Clear air
mode
Which U.S. state has the highest number of days with thunderstorms? - ✔✔Florida
Which U.S. state has the greatest frequency of severe thunderstorms? - ✔✔Oklahoma
If a thunderstorm produces hail with 1.5 inch diameter and winds gusting to 40 knots
but no tornado, would the storm be considered severe by the NWS? Choose the best
response. - ✔✔Yes, because the TS exceeded the hail threshold of 1 inch diameter.
This type of thunderstorm is primarily defined by the presence of a rotating updraft. In
addition, they have a high likelihood of producing severe convective weather. -
✔✔Supercell
This type of connective weather consists of a broad area or cluster of individual
thunderstorms. On satellite they appear elliptical to circular in shape and are typically
large enough to cover an entire mid-western state. - ✔✔MCC
The cold air associated with the downdraft from a thunderstorm can spread out upon
reaching the ground and provide a lifting mechanism for new thunderstorm growth.
This best describes the _____________ of the thunderstorm. - ✔✔Outflow boundary or
gust front.
Thunderstorms generally move at the same speed and direction as the 3,500 feet flight-
level winds, much like a cork floating in water. - ✔✔False
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY BRITTIE DONALD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, An ordinary thunderstorm is typically strongest when it _____________________. -
✔✔consists of an updraft/downdraft pair.
Which of the below conditions would likely be most favorable for thunderstorm
development?
CAPE: 0
KI: 15
LI: +20
CAPE: 3500
LI: -8
KI: 35
CAPE: -2000
LI: +50
KI: -10 - ✔✔CAPE: 3500
LI: -8
KI: 35
In Florida, the sea breeze often provides sufficient left to trigger thunderstorms. In the
below satellite image, which line best identifies the leading edge of the sea breeze front?
- ✔✔B (line in the middle)
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY BRITTIE DONALD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
