Question 1

Choose the answer that places the hurricane at its proper position with respect to overall storm size.

Accepted Answer

A)  tornado, mid-latitude cyclone, hurricane, thunderstorm
B)  thunderstorm, mid-latitude cyclone, hurricane, tornado
C)  hurricane, mid-latitude cyclone, tornado, thunderstorm
D)  mid-latitude cyclone, hurricane, thunderstorm, tornado D

Question 2

This region receives more hurricanes than any other: ________.

Accepted Answer

Western Pacific

Question 3

Describe the formation of the trade wind inversion and the marine layer,and explain why and how these two change in height and characteristics from east to west.

Accepted Answer

During much of the year air spirals out of massive high-pressure cells that occupy large parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.Middle- and upper-level air along the eastern side of these anticyclones sinks as it approaches the west coasts of the adjacent continents.Because the air does not descend all the way to the surface,a subsidence inversion forms above the surface.This particular subsidence inversion is called the trade wind inversion.The air below the inversion,called the marine layer,is cool and relatively moist.Over the eastern part of the oceans,the low inversion inhibits vertical cloud growth,and low stratus clouds often occupy the region.Farther to the west,the greater height of the inversion (or even its total disappearance)allows for more convection,and deep cumulus clouds are more likely to form.For this reason,more hurricanes occur along the western portion of the ocean basins.

Question 4

The trade wind inversion

Accepted Answer

A)  results in a 180-degree shift in the direction of the trade winds.
B)  lies below the marine layer.
C)  is caused by the subsidence of air from high-pressure cells.
D)  inhibits hurricane formation.

Question 5

List and discuss the threats a hurricane brings as it makes landfall and then moves inland.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List and discuss the threats a hurricane...

Question 6

Storm surge

Accepted Answer

A)  increases as the hurricane's pressure increases.
B)  is least dangerous in bays and inlets.
C)  paradoxically does more damage a kilometer inland than on the coast itself.
D)  is increased by the drag of high winds on surface waters.

Question 7

Hurricane paths (tracks)

Accepted Answer

A)  are highly smooth and stable.
B)  are easily predictable.
C)  always move to the northwest.
D)  can be highly erratic.

Question 8

Hurricanes have

Accepted Answer

A)  no fronts.
B)  the same number of fronts as a midlatitude cyclone.
C)  more fronts than a midlatitude cyclone.
D)  between one and three fronts.

Question 9

A hurricane watch is issued when

Accepted Answer

A)  hurricane conditions are possible for a particular coastal region.
B)  hurricane conditions are expected for a particular coastal region.
C)  hurricane conditions are possible for a particular oceanic region.
D)  hurricane conditions are expected for a particular oceanic region.

Question 10

A hurricane's greatest threat to life and property along coasts comes from

Accepted Answer

A)  heavy rain.
B)  storm surge.
C)  high winds.
D)  tornadoes spawned by the hurricane.

Question 11

Describe and explain as best as possible the movement patterns of Atlantic hurricanes.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe and explain as best as possible...

Question 12

Hurricanes

Accepted Answer

A)  typically have a sea level pressure change of around 150 mb.
B)  have an average diameter of around 200 kilometers.
C)  have sustained wind speeds above 120 kilometers per hour.
D)  often last for two or more weeks.

Question 13

Atlantic hurricanes

Accepted Answer

A)  typically strengthen as they travel over land.
B)  can backtrack along a previously traveled path.
C)  usually end their lives while traveling southerly.
D)  follow a well-defined and narrow track through the Caribbean and east coast of North America.

Question 14

Eyewall replacement occurs

Accepted Answer

A)  within very weak hurricanes.
B)  within very strong hurricanes.
C)  at the beginning of a typical hurricane's life cycle.
D)  at the end of a typical hurricane's life cycle.

Question 15

Eastern Pacific hurricanes

Accepted Answer

A)  have brought winds in excess of 130 miles an hour to San Diego.
B)  do not land in Mexico.
C)  hit Southern California every two to three years.
D)  are weakened by the cold waters of the California current.

Question 16

The trade wind inversion lies above the ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The trade wind inversion lies above the...

Question 17

Tornadoes most often form in the ________ of a hurricane (in the northern hemisphere).

Accepted Answer

A)  Southwest quadrant
B)  Northeast quadrant
C)  Southeast quadrant
D)  Northwest quadrant

Question 18

Which three languages are used for Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which three languages are used for Atlantic...

Question 19

The Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO)

Accepted Answer

A)  is believed to be a factor in the frequency of Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes.
B)  is believed to be unrelated to the frequency of Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes.
C)  is based on land-based temperature fluctuations in North America and Europe.
D)  is based on land-based temperature fluctuations in eastern Asia.

Question 20

The recent increase in Atlantic tropical storm and hurricane activity

Accepted Answer

A)  has not been observed in other ocean basins.
B)  has been observed in other ocean basins.
C)  has been exceeded in other ocean basins.
D)  has been exceeded in all other ocean basins except the Indian Ocean.

Exam 12: Tropical Storms and Hurricanes