ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
How can you identify the locations of possible turbulence associated with thunderstorms -
CORRECT ANSWER - • Outflow Phenomena
- Derecho
- Downburst
- Microburst
- Gust Front
What is the phenomena that produce low altitude turbulence with a thunderstorm - CORRECT
ANSWER - - Derecho
- Downburst
- Microburst
- Gust Front
How can you distinguish between derecho, downburst, microburst and gust front - CORRECT
ANSWER - Derecho - A widespread, long lived, straight line windstorm that is associated
with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorm
Downburst - An area of strong, often damaging winds produced by one or more convective
downdrafts over an area from less than 1 to 400 km in horizontal dimensions.
Microburst - A convective downdraft (downburst) that covers an area less than 4 km (2.5 miles)
along a side with peak winds that last 2 to 5 minutes.
Gust front - The leading edge of the outflow air from a thunderstorm
, What are the characteristics of wet and dry microbursts - CORRECT ANSWER - Wet -
Microburst Accompanied by Heavy Precipitation at Surface
Dry - Microburst Accompanied by Little Precipitation at Surface (or virga)
What are the characteristics of microbursts in general including life cycle, symmetry and strength
- CORRECT ANSWER - Average strength of a microburst is about 50 knots
perfectly symmetrical, except if acompanied by strong wind that makes the Convective Cell
Move with the Wind
EXAM Q - Microbursts are the strongest 5 minutes after they hit the ground
What are the characteristics and visual features of gust fronts - CORRECT ANSWER -•
May precede precipitation up to 15 mi
if stationary, outflow will move in all directions
If storm is moving, you can add the speed of the storm to the outflow (but only in front of it)
Can see gust front with an arcus cloud
What are the two causes of turbulence with thunderstorms at high altitude - CORRECT
ANSWER - - Gravity Wave - Develops Above and Downwind of Growing Thunderstorm
(like the vertically progagating wave of thunderstorms) 10-15 miles ahead and above storm
- Turbulent Wake
• Thunderstorm Disturbs Flow
• Turbulence Downwind
• Occurs at Mid and High Altitudes