CERTIFIED CLIMATOLOGIST EXAM
QUESTION AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. The primary difference between weather and climate is
A. Spatial scale
B. Measurement instruments
C. Time scale
D. Atmospheric composition
Answer: C
Rationale: Climate describes long-term average conditions over decades,
while weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions.
2. The standard climatological normal period recommended by WMO is
A. 10 years
B. 20 years
C. 30 years
D. 50 years
Answer: C
Rationale: A 30-year period smooths interannual variability and provides
stable climate averages.
3. Which gas contributes the most to the natural greenhouse effect?
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Methane
C. Ozone
D. Water vapor
Answer: D
, Rationale: Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas and
dominates natural warming.
4. The Köppen climate classification is primarily based on
A. Wind patterns
B. Pressure systems
C. Temperature and precipitation
D. Solar radiation
Answer: C
Rationale: Köppen uses thresholds of temperature and precipitation linked
to vegetation.
5. ENSO primarily affects global climate through changes in
A. Polar ice extent
B. Sea surface temperatures in the Pacific
C. Solar output
D. Volcanic aerosols
Answer: B
Rationale: ENSO arises from coupled ocean–atmosphere interactions in
the tropical Pacific.
6. La Niña conditions are associated with
A. Warm eastern Pacific waters
B. Cool eastern Pacific waters
C. Increased CO₂ levels
D. Weak trade winds
Answer: B
Rationale: La Niña features enhanced upwelling and cooler-than-average
SSTs in the eastern Pacific.
7. The lapse rate refers to the change in
A. Pressure with latitude
B. Temperature with height
C. Humidity with time
D. Wind speed with altitude
, Answer: B
Rationale: Lapse rate quantifies how air temperature decreases with
elevation.
8. The dry adiabatic lapse rate is approximately
A. 4°C/km
B. 6°C/km
C. 9.8°C/km
D. 12°C/km
Answer: C
Rationale: Unsaturated air cools at about 9.8°C per kilometer when rising
adiabatically.
9. Which circulation cell dominates the tropics?
A. Ferrel Cell
B. Polar Cell
C. Hadley Cell
D. Walker Cell
Answer: C
Rationale: The Hadley Cell transports heat from the equator toward
subtropics.
10.The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is characterized by
A. Subsiding dry air
B. Rising moist air and convection
C. Strong westerlies
D. Polar easterlies
Answer: B
Rationale: Converging trade winds cause uplift and heavy rainfall near the
ITCZ.
11.Milankovitch cycles relate to changes in
A. Atmospheric chemistry
B. Ocean salinity
C. Earth’s orbital parameters
QUESTION AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. The primary difference between weather and climate is
A. Spatial scale
B. Measurement instruments
C. Time scale
D. Atmospheric composition
Answer: C
Rationale: Climate describes long-term average conditions over decades,
while weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions.
2. The standard climatological normal period recommended by WMO is
A. 10 years
B. 20 years
C. 30 years
D. 50 years
Answer: C
Rationale: A 30-year period smooths interannual variability and provides
stable climate averages.
3. Which gas contributes the most to the natural greenhouse effect?
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Methane
C. Ozone
D. Water vapor
Answer: D
, Rationale: Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas and
dominates natural warming.
4. The Köppen climate classification is primarily based on
A. Wind patterns
B. Pressure systems
C. Temperature and precipitation
D. Solar radiation
Answer: C
Rationale: Köppen uses thresholds of temperature and precipitation linked
to vegetation.
5. ENSO primarily affects global climate through changes in
A. Polar ice extent
B. Sea surface temperatures in the Pacific
C. Solar output
D. Volcanic aerosols
Answer: B
Rationale: ENSO arises from coupled ocean–atmosphere interactions in
the tropical Pacific.
6. La Niña conditions are associated with
A. Warm eastern Pacific waters
B. Cool eastern Pacific waters
C. Increased CO₂ levels
D. Weak trade winds
Answer: B
Rationale: La Niña features enhanced upwelling and cooler-than-average
SSTs in the eastern Pacific.
7. The lapse rate refers to the change in
A. Pressure with latitude
B. Temperature with height
C. Humidity with time
D. Wind speed with altitude
, Answer: B
Rationale: Lapse rate quantifies how air temperature decreases with
elevation.
8. The dry adiabatic lapse rate is approximately
A. 4°C/km
B. 6°C/km
C. 9.8°C/km
D. 12°C/km
Answer: C
Rationale: Unsaturated air cools at about 9.8°C per kilometer when rising
adiabatically.
9. Which circulation cell dominates the tropics?
A. Ferrel Cell
B. Polar Cell
C. Hadley Cell
D. Walker Cell
Answer: C
Rationale: The Hadley Cell transports heat from the equator toward
subtropics.
10.The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is characterized by
A. Subsiding dry air
B. Rising moist air and convection
C. Strong westerlies
D. Polar easterlies
Answer: B
Rationale: Converging trade winds cause uplift and heavy rainfall near the
ITCZ.
11.Milankovitch cycles relate to changes in
A. Atmospheric chemistry
B. Ocean salinity
C. Earth’s orbital parameters
