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ATSC 231 Block 5 Final Exam
Questions and Answers 100% Pass
A rapid change of more than ________ of airspeed is an indication of severe wind shear. - ✔✔15 KTS
A(n) ______ is a fluctuation of wind speed with variations of 10 knots or more between peaks and lulls. -
✔✔gust
Severe wind shear with a front may occur when the front at the surface is moving at a speed of at least? -
✔✔30 KTS
Severe wind shear with a front may occur when the temperature difference across the front at the surface
is _____ or more. - ✔✔10 degrees F
(T or F) Most thunderstorms occur in the afternoon in the Upper Midwest (Minnesota, North Dakota, and
South Dakota). - ✔✔False
What time of day are thunderstorms most frequent across the Gulf Coast (Florida, Alabama, Georgia,
Mississippi)? - ✔✔afternoon (2 pm to 6 pm)
What are the stages in the life cycle of a thunderstorm? - ✔✔Cumulus
Mature
Dissipating
Which stage of the life cycle of a thunderstorm can be characterized as having just light precipitation? -
✔✔Dissipating
Emily Charlene © 2025, All Rights Reserved.
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Which of the following is an additional requirement for severe and long-lasting thunderstorms? -
✔✔Wind shear
Which of the following is a good indicator of the moisture available for thunderstorm formation? -
✔✔dew point
Which thunderstorm type can be described as a line of active thunderstorms either continuous or with
breaks, including contiguous precipitation areas resulting from the existence of thunderstorms? -
✔✔Multicell line
What thunderstorm type is most common in the US? - ✔✔multicell cluster
(T or F) Multicell cluster thunderstorms are more difficult to circumnavigate than a single cell
thunderstorm - ✔✔True
What type of radar echo is produced by strong straight line winds? - ✔✔Bow echo
(T or F) single cell thunderstorms are rare - ✔✔True
(T or F) The downdraft in a single cell thunderstorm forms within the updraft - ✔✔True
What type of thunderstorm produces about 25% of all US tornadoes? - ✔✔Multicell (or squall) line
What type of thunderstorm does not develop in a sheared environment? - ✔✔Single cell
What is another name for a single cell thunderstorm? - ✔✔Airmass
Which thunderstorm type can be described as a thunderstorm composed of many cells, each in a different
stage of development? - ✔✔multicell cluster
(T or F) Some part of a cloud must be colder than 0 C for lightning to develop. - ✔✔True
What is typically the sign of the charge of the upper portions of thunderstorms? - ✔✔Positive
Emily Charlene © 2025, All Rights Reserved.
ATSC 231 Block 5 Final Exam
Questions and Answers 100% Pass
A rapid change of more than ________ of airspeed is an indication of severe wind shear. - ✔✔15 KTS
A(n) ______ is a fluctuation of wind speed with variations of 10 knots or more between peaks and lulls. -
✔✔gust
Severe wind shear with a front may occur when the front at the surface is moving at a speed of at least? -
✔✔30 KTS
Severe wind shear with a front may occur when the temperature difference across the front at the surface
is _____ or more. - ✔✔10 degrees F
(T or F) Most thunderstorms occur in the afternoon in the Upper Midwest (Minnesota, North Dakota, and
South Dakota). - ✔✔False
What time of day are thunderstorms most frequent across the Gulf Coast (Florida, Alabama, Georgia,
Mississippi)? - ✔✔afternoon (2 pm to 6 pm)
What are the stages in the life cycle of a thunderstorm? - ✔✔Cumulus
Mature
Dissipating
Which stage of the life cycle of a thunderstorm can be characterized as having just light precipitation? -
✔✔Dissipating
Emily Charlene © 2025, All Rights Reserved.
, 2|Page
Which of the following is an additional requirement for severe and long-lasting thunderstorms? -
✔✔Wind shear
Which of the following is a good indicator of the moisture available for thunderstorm formation? -
✔✔dew point
Which thunderstorm type can be described as a line of active thunderstorms either continuous or with
breaks, including contiguous precipitation areas resulting from the existence of thunderstorms? -
✔✔Multicell line
What thunderstorm type is most common in the US? - ✔✔multicell cluster
(T or F) Multicell cluster thunderstorms are more difficult to circumnavigate than a single cell
thunderstorm - ✔✔True
What type of radar echo is produced by strong straight line winds? - ✔✔Bow echo
(T or F) single cell thunderstorms are rare - ✔✔True
(T or F) The downdraft in a single cell thunderstorm forms within the updraft - ✔✔True
What type of thunderstorm produces about 25% of all US tornadoes? - ✔✔Multicell (or squall) line
What type of thunderstorm does not develop in a sheared environment? - ✔✔Single cell
What is another name for a single cell thunderstorm? - ✔✔Airmass
Which thunderstorm type can be described as a thunderstorm composed of many cells, each in a different
stage of development? - ✔✔multicell cluster
(T or F) Some part of a cloud must be colder than 0 C for lightning to develop. - ✔✔True
What is typically the sign of the charge of the upper portions of thunderstorms? - ✔✔Positive
Emily Charlene © 2025, All Rights Reserved.
