Exam 9: Weather Forecasting

Describe four different types of weather forecasting methods and give an example of each.

Weather charts and maps are still plotted and analyzed entirely by hand.

A model is run several times with slight changes in the starting data. What type of forecast will be generated?

Instructions: Choose one answer from each pair of selections. A forecast chart representing the atmosphere at a specified future time is a(n) ANALYSIS | PROG.

Temperature and precipitation in one part of the world can affect the weather in another widely separated region. What are these interactions called?

How are weather observations shared and distributed among different nations?

A forecast method that compares past weather maps and weather patterns to those of the present is ____.

A weather warning indicates that ____.

Exhibit 9-1 The following questions refer to the above illustration of a mid-latitude cyclone (the dashed lines show the positions of the fronts 6 hours ago). The storm system in the accompanying figure will apparently move toward the ____.

List some of the ways in which you can predict the future movement of surface mid-latitude storms.

What are two commonly used terms for a computer-derived forecast map?

Which forecasting method assumes that weather systems will move in the same direction and at approximately the same speed as they have been moving?

An ensemble forecast is considered robust when the ____.

Beyond about ____, due to the chaotic nature of the atmosphere, computer prog forecast accuracy falls off rapidly.

If you wanted to make a persistence forecast of minimum and maximum temperatures for a particular city, which type of chart would be most helpful?

With limited number of wind observations, tight spacing of height (above sea level) contour lines on a 500-mb chart may indicate areas of ____.

A forecaster will use a prognostic chart for guidance in preparing a forecast, but will also rely on personal experience and a knowledge of local features that can affect the weather.

What is one of the greatest improvements in forecasting skill over the past decade?

An accurate forecast ____.

Instructions: Choose one answer from each pair of selections. You would expect a relatively WARM | COLD minimum temperature on a night with calm winds, clear skies, and low humidity.