WX301 Exam 3 ACTUAL Exam Questions
and CORRECT Answers
Surface low pressure centers tend to develop ___________ a 500 mb trough. - CORRECT
ANSWER - To the right of
At which level does an air parcel begin to rise due to buoyancy alone? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Level of free convection
Which phase of a thunderstorm's life cycle is comprised of primarily updrafts? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Cumulus phase
CAPE is defined as the area where the air parcel is warmer the environment between the
_______ and the _______ . - CORRECT ANSWER - 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 - CORRECT ANSWER - none of the above (i.e., all are necessary)
The additional ingredient that makes the environment favorable for severe thunderstorms is
________ . - CORRECT ANSWER - vertical wind shear
Which radar reflectivity product shows the highest observed radar reflectivity at a location
regardless of the altitude at which it occurs? - CORRECT ANSWER - Composite
Radar accurately shows where any clouds are occurring, - CORRECT ANSWER - 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? - CORRECT ANSWER - Clear air
mode
Which U.S. state has the highest number of days with thunderstorms? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Florida
Which U.S. state has the greatest frequency of severe thunderstorms? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 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. -
CORRECT ANSWER - 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. - CORRECT ANSWER -
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. - CORRECT ANSWER - 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. - CORRECT ANSWER - 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. - CORRECT ANSWER - False
An ordinary thunderstorm is typically strongest when it _____________________. - CORRECT
ANSWER - 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 - CORRECT ANSWER - 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? - CORRECT
ANSWER - B (line in the middle)
Examine the 12Z Surface Map below. Assuming all other criteria for thunderstorm were met, is
there sufficient low-level moisture in the red-circled region (Indiana, Ohio) to support
thunderstorm development? - CORRECT ANSWER - Yes, the dew point temperatures are in
the low to mid 60s (oF) , which is sufficient for TS development.
Examine the 500 mb heights map below. Note the position of the black, dashed line showing the
location of the 500 mb trough axis. Based on the position of the trough, which location would
upper-level divergence be most likely to create favorable conditions for thunderstorm
development? - CORRECT ANSWER - B (to the right of trough)
and CORRECT Answers
Surface low pressure centers tend to develop ___________ a 500 mb trough. - CORRECT
ANSWER - To the right of
At which level does an air parcel begin to rise due to buoyancy alone? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Level of free convection
Which phase of a thunderstorm's life cycle is comprised of primarily updrafts? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Cumulus phase
CAPE is defined as the area where the air parcel is warmer the environment between the
_______ and the _______ . - CORRECT ANSWER - 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 - CORRECT ANSWER - none of the above (i.e., all are necessary)
The additional ingredient that makes the environment favorable for severe thunderstorms is
________ . - CORRECT ANSWER - vertical wind shear
Which radar reflectivity product shows the highest observed radar reflectivity at a location
regardless of the altitude at which it occurs? - CORRECT ANSWER - Composite
Radar accurately shows where any clouds are occurring, - CORRECT ANSWER - 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? - CORRECT ANSWER - Clear air
mode
Which U.S. state has the highest number of days with thunderstorms? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Florida
Which U.S. state has the greatest frequency of severe thunderstorms? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 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. -
CORRECT ANSWER - 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. - CORRECT ANSWER -
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. - CORRECT ANSWER - 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. - CORRECT ANSWER - 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. - CORRECT ANSWER - False
An ordinary thunderstorm is typically strongest when it _____________________. - CORRECT
ANSWER - 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 - CORRECT ANSWER - 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? - CORRECT
ANSWER - B (line in the middle)
Examine the 12Z Surface Map below. Assuming all other criteria for thunderstorm were met, is
there sufficient low-level moisture in the red-circled region (Indiana, Ohio) to support
thunderstorm development? - CORRECT ANSWER - Yes, the dew point temperatures are in
the low to mid 60s (oF) , which is sufficient for TS development.
Examine the 500 mb heights map below. Note the position of the black, dashed line showing the
location of the 500 mb trough axis. Based on the position of the trough, which location would
upper-level divergence be most likely to create favorable conditions for thunderstorm
development? - CORRECT ANSWER - B (to the right of trough)
