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Weather and Climate A – B1
1. What causes the Coriolis effect?
(1) Earth’s tilt on its axis
(2) the spin of Earth on its axis
(3) the orbital motion of the Moon around Earth
(4) the orbital motion of Earth around the Sun
Base your answers to questions 7 and 8 on the map
below, which represents an imaginary continent.
Locations A and B are on opposite sides of a
mountain range on a planet similar to Earth. Location
C is on the planet’s equator.
2. What is the relative humidity when the dry-bulb
temperature is 16°C and the wet-bulb temperature is
14°C?
(1) 90%
(2) 80%
(3) 14%
(4) 13%
3. Which weather instrument is used to measure wind
speed?
(1) anemometer
(3) psychrometer
(2) wind vane
(4) thermometer
4. A weather station model is shown below. What is
the barometric pressure indicated by this station
model?
(1) 0.029 mb
(2) 902.9 mb
(3) 1002.9 mb
(4) 1029.0 mb
5. The upward movement of air in the atmosphere
generally causes the temperature of that air to
(1) decrease and become closer to the dewpoint
(2) decrease and become farther from the dewpoint
(3) increase and become closer to the dewpoint
(4) increase and become farther from the dewpoint
7. Compared to the climate at location A, the climate
at location B would most likely be
(1) warmer and more humid
(2) warmer and less humid
(3) cooler and more humid
(4) cooler and less humid
8. Location C most likely experiences
(1) low air pressure and low precipitation
(2) low air pressure and high precipitation
(3) high air pressure and low precipitation
(4) high air pressure and high precipitation
9. The diagram below shows weather instruments A
and B.
6. The cross section below shows a house on the
shore of Lake Ontario in August. Under which
conditions would the wind shown in the cross section
most likely occur?
Which table correctly indicates the name of the
weather instrument and the weather variable that it
measures?
(1) at 2 a.m., when the air over land is 70°F and t he air
over the lake is 80°F
(2) at 6 a.m., when the air over land is 70°F and t he air
over the lake is 70°F
(3) at 2 p.m., when the air over land is 80°F and t he air
over the lake is 70°F
(4) at 10 p.m., when the air over land is 70°F and the
air over the lake is 72°F
1
10. Which New York State location is most likely to
experience the heaviest winter snowfall when the
surface winds are blowing from the west or northwest?
(1) New York City
(3) Oswego
(2) Binghamton
(4) Plattsburgh
Base your answers to questions 16 through 19 on the
climate graphs below, which show average monthly
precipitation and temperatures at four cities, A, B, C,
and D.
11. Which ocean current transports warm water away
from Earth’s equatorial region?
(1) Brazil Current
(3) Falkland Current
(2) Guinea Current (4) California Current
12. The altitude of the ozone layer near the South
Pole is 20 kilometers above sea level. Which
temperature zone of the atmosphere contains this
ozone layer?
(1) troposphere
(3) mesosphere
(2) stratosphere
(4) thermosphere
13. A low-pressure system in the Northern
Hemisphere has a surface air-circulation pattern that
is
(1) clockwise and away from the center
(2) clockwise and toward the center
(3) counterclockwise and away from the center
(4) counterclockwise and toward the center
14. Air masses are identified on the basis of
temperature and
(1) type of precipitation
(2) wind velocity
(3) moisture content
(4) atmospheric transparency
15. The weather instrument shown below can be used
to determine dewpoint.
16. City A has very little variation in temperature
during the year because city A is located
(1) on the dry side of a mountain
(2) on the wet side of a mountain
(3) near the center of a large landmass
(4) near the equator
17. During which season does city B usually
experience the month with the highest average
precipitation?
(1) spring
(3) fall
(2) summer (4) winter
18. It can be concluded that city C is located in the
Southern Hemisphere because city C has
(1) small amounts of precipitation throughout the year
(2) large amounts of precipitation throughout the year
(3) its warmest temperatures in January and February
(4) its warmest temperatures in July and August
Based on the values shown, the dewpoint is
(1) –5°C
(2) 2°C
(3) 8°C
(4) 33°C
19. Very little water will infiltrate the soil around city D
because the region usually has
(1) a frozen surface
(3) a small amount of runoff
(2) nearly flat surfaces
(4) permeable soil
2
20. Which station model correctly represents the
weather conditions in an area that is experiencing
winds from the northeast at 25 knots and has had a
steady drop in barometric pressure of 2.7 millibars
during the last three hours?
Base your answers to questions 26 through 29 on the
weather map below, which shows a low-pressure
system over the central United States. Isobars are
labeled in millibars. Points A, B, C, and D represent
locations on Earth’s surface.
21. Which ocean current carries cool water toward
Earth’s equator?
(1) Alaska Current
(3) Peru Current
(2) East Australia Current
(4) North Atlantic Current
22. An air mass classified as cT usually forms over
which type of Earth surface?
(1) cool water
(3) warm water
(2) cool land
(4) warm land
23. What is the dewpoint when the dry-bulb
temperature is 24°C and the wet-bulb temperature is
21°C?
(1) 16°C
(2) 18°C (3) 20°C (4) 21°C
Base your answers to questions 24 and 25 on the
diagram below, which shows air movement over a
mountain range. The arrows indicate the direction of
airflow. Points 1 through 3 represent locations on
Earth’s surface.
26. The circulation of surface winds associated with
this low-pressure system is
(1) clockwise and toward the center of the low
(2) clockwise and away from the center of the low
(3) counterclockwise and toward the center of the low
(4) counterclockwise and away from the center of the
low
27. The air pressure at the center of this low is
(1) 991 mb
(3) 997 mb
(2) 994 mb
(4) 1001 mb
28. Which location is most likely experiencing the
fastest wind speed?
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
29. Which map shows the most likely path this lowpressure center will follow during the next 12 hours?
24. Compared to the climate at location 1, the climate
at location 3 is
(1) cooler and drier
(2) cooler and wetter
(3) warmer and drier
(4) warmer and wetter
25. Cloud formation at location 2 is the direct result of
air that is rising,
(1) expanding, and cooling
(2) expanding, and warming
(3) compressing, and cooling
(4) compressing, and warming
~~~~~~~~~~~~
30. Which coastal location experiences a cooler
summer climate due to ocean currents?
(1) southeast coast of North America
(2) northeast coast of Australia
(3) southwest coast of South America
(4) northwest coast of Europe
3
Base your answers to questions 31 through 33 on the
weather map below, which shows a high-pressure
center (H) and a low-pressure center (L), with two
fronts extending from the low-pressure center. Points
X andY are locations on the map connected by a
reference line.
31. Which type of front is located between Buffalo and
Detroit?
(1) stationary
(3) occluded
(2) warm
(4) cold
32. Which cross section best represents the fronts and
air movements in the lower atmosphere along line
XY?
34. The weather instrument below is used to
determine dewpoint and relative humidity.
Based on the temperatures shown, the approximate
dewpoint and relative humidity are
(1) –19°C and 4%
(3) 8°C and 40%
(2) –5°C and 25%
(4) 12°C and 53%
35. The cross section below shows the direction of air
flowing over a mountain. Points A and B are at the
same elevation on opposite sides of the mountain.
33. Which map best shows the most probable areas of
precipitation associated with these weather systems?
Compared to the air temperature and humidity at point
A, the air temperature and humidity at point B are
usually
(1) cooler and drier
(3) warmer and drier
(2) cooler and wetter
(4) warmer and wetter
36. The planetary wind belts in the troposphere are
primarily caused by the
(1) Earth’s rotation and unequal heating of Earth’s
surface
(2) Earth’s revolution and unequal heating of Earth’s
surface
(3) Earth’s rotation and Sun’s gravitational attraction
on Earth’s atmosphere
(4) Earth’s revolution and Sun’s gravitational attraction
on Earth’s atmosphere
4
37. On a cold winter day, the air temperature is
2°Cand the wet-bulb temperature is –1°C. What is th e
relative humidity at this location?
(1) 6%
(2) 37%
(3) 51%
(4) 83%
Base your answers to questions 41 through 43 on the
weather map below, which shows a low-pressure
system over the eastern United States. Letters A
through D represent weather stations.
38. The data table below compares the climates of two
United States cities located at approximately 43° n orth
latitude. The data are based on a 30-year period.
Which statement best explains the climate variation
between these two cities?
(1) City A and city B are located at the same longitude.
(2) City A is located at a high elevation, and city B is
located at sea level.
(3) City A is located far inland, and city B is located
near a large body of water.
(4) City A is located on the east coast, and city B is
located on the west coast.
39. Adjacent water and landmasses are heated by the
morning Sun on a clear, calm day.
After a few hours, a surface wind develops. Which
map best represents this wind’s direction?
Land Water
40. An instrument used to measure a weather variable
is shown below.
41. Which station model correctly represents the
barometric pressure at station A?
42. Which weather instrument was used to measure
wind speed at station D?
(1) barometer (3) psychrometer
(2) thermometer (4) anemometer
43. Surface winds within this low-pressure system
most likely are flowing
(1) toward the center in a clockwise pattern
(2) toward the center in a counterclockwise pattern
(3) away from the center in a clockwise pattern
(4) away from the center in a counterclockwise pattern
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
44. The cross section below shows a sea breeze
blowing from the ocean toward the land. The air
pressure at the land surface is 1013 millibars.
Which weather variable is measured by this
instrument?
(1) wind direction
(3) wind speed
(2) air pressure
(4) amount of rainfall
The air pressure at the ocean surface a few miles from
the shore is most likely
(1) 994 mb (2) 1005 mb (3) 1013 mb (4) 1017 mb
5
Base your answers to questions 45 and 46 on the map
below, which shows locations A and B on Earth’s
surface at the same distance from the ocean, at the
same elevation above sea level, and at the same
latitude.
50. Mt. Marcy often has the coldest nighttime
temperatures in New York State because of its
(1) latitude and planetary winds
(2) latitude and elevation
(3) longitude and planetary winds
(4) longitude and elevation
51. The map below shows a weather variable
recorded at noon on a certain day. Isolines show
values from 20 to 70.
45. Which statement best explains why location A has
a cooler climate than location B?
(1) Location A has a longer duration of insolation each
day.
(2) Location A is influenced by a cold ocean current.
(3) Location B is farther from the equator.
(4) Location B has less intense insolation each day.
46. There is a four-hour solar time difference between
locations A and B. What is the difference in longitude
between locations A and B?
(1) 15° (2) 23.5° (3) 45° (4) 60°
47. Very cold climates occur at Earth’s North and
South Poles because the polar regions
(1) are usually farthest from the Sun
(2) absorb the greatest amount of insolation
(3) receive the most hours of daylight
(4) receive low-angle insolation
48. A barometric pressure of 1021.0 millibars is equal
to how many inches of mercury?
(1) 29.88 (3) 30.25
(2) 30.15 (4) 30.50
49. On which station model would the present weather
symbol * most likely be found?
Which atmospheric variable is most likely represented
by the isolines on this map?
(1) snowfall in inches
(2) wind speed in knots
(3) barometric pressure in millibars
(4) air temperature in degrees Fahrenheit
52. What is the dewpoint temperature when the
relative humidity is 30% and the air temperature is
20°C?
(1) –28°C
(3) 6°C
(2) 2°C
(4) 9°C
53. Cloud formation is likely to occur in rising air
because rising air
(1) expands and cools
(2) expands and warms
(3) contracts and cools
(4) contracts and warms
54. In which two temperature zones of the atmosphere
does the temperature increase with increasing
altitude?
(1) troposphere and stratosphere
(2) troposphere and mesosphere
(3) stratosphere and thermosphere
(4) mesosphere and thermosphere
6
55. The diagram below shows a sling psychrometer.
Base your answers to questions 59 through 61 on the
station models below, which show various weather
conditions recorded at the same time on the same day
at four different cities.
Based on the dry-bulb temperature and the wet-bulb
temperature, what is the dewpoint?
(1) 5°C (2) 12°C (3) 14°C (4) 16°C
56. Which change would cause a decrease in the
amount of insolation absorbed at Earth’s surface?
(1) a decrease in cloud cover
(2) a decrease in atmospheric transparency
(3) an increase in the duration of daylight
(4) an increase in nitrogen gas
59. Which wind speed was recorded at Detroit?
(1) 15 knots
(3) 35 knots
(2) 25 knots
(4) 45 knots
60. Which city had the lowest relative humidity?
(1) Chicago
(3) Buffalo
(2) Detroit
(4) Utica
57. Which event temporarily slows or reverses surface
ocean currents in the equatorial region of the Pacific
Ocean, causing a disruption of normal weather
patterns?
(1) tsunami
(3) El Niño
(2) volcanic eruption (4) deforestation
61. Which weather symbol best represents the type of
precipitation that was most likely occurring in Utica?
58. Increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in Earth’s
atmosphere increases atmospheric temperature
because the carbon dioxide absorbs
(1) incoming solar gamma ray radiation
(2) incoming solar visible light radiation
(3) outgoing terrestrial ultraviolet radiation
(4) outgoing terrestrial infrared radiation
62. Which cold ocean current affects the climate of the
northeastern coast of North America?
(1) Gulf Stream
(3) Labrador
(2) Canaries
(4) North Atlantic
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Weather and Climate B2 – C
Base your answers to questions 1 and 2 on the United States map in your answer booklet, which shows recorded
temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit for October 2, 2004. The 60°F isotherm has been drawn on the map.
1. On the map draw the 70°F isotherm.
Extend the isotherm to the edges of the
continent. [1]
2. Identify the two-letter weather map
symbol for the dry, cold air mass over North
Dakota. [1]
7
Base your answers to questions 3 through 7 on the weather map in your answer booklet. The isobars show
air pressures, in millibars. Points A and B indicate locations on the map.
4. Describe the pattern of the surface winds
around the center of the low-pressure system
(L). [1]
5. Calculate the pressure gradient along a
straight line between point A and point B on the
map. Label your answer with the correct units.
[2]
Gradient = ___________________________
6. Describe the evidence shown on the map that
indicates strong winds were blowing between
Miles City and Pierre. [1]
3. On the weather map above place an X centered on the
geographic region that was most likely the source of the mT air
mass. [1]
7. In the table below write the names of the cities
listed below in sequence from lowest relative
humidity to highest relative humidity. [1]
Albuquerque
Chicago
New York City
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Base your answers to questions 8 through 10 on the diagram below, which shows air masses, clouds, and rain
associated with two fronts that are influencing weather conditions in New York State. Letters A, B, and C represent
three air masses. The arrows show the direction of air and front movements.
8. Identify the most likely geographic source region for air
mass B. [1] _______________________________
9. Identify the type of front shown between air mass B
and air mass C. [1] _______________________
10. Identify one process that causes clouds to form in the
air rising along the frontal surface between air mass A
and air mass B. [1] _______________________
8
Base your answers to questions 11 through 13 on the diagram below, which shows Earth’s water cycle.
Numbers indicate the estimated volume of water, in millions of cubic kilometers, stored at any one time in the
atmosphere, the oceans, and on the continents. The yearly amount of water that moves in and out of each of these
three portions of Earth is also indicated in millions of cubic kilometers.
11. Calculate the total amount of water stored in the
atmosphere, the oceans, and on the continents
together at any one time. [1]
12. Explain why the yearly total precipitation over
the oceans is greater than the yearly total
precipitation over the continents. [1]
13. Describe two surface characteristics that will
affect the rate of stream runoff into the ocean. [1]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Base your answers to questions 14 and 15 on the data table below, which shows the average number of days with
thunderstorms that occur over land areas at different latitudes each year.
14. On the grid provided plot,
with an X, the average number
of days per year a thunderstorm
occurs over a land area for
each latitude shown on the data
table. Connect the centers of
the Xs with a line. [1]
15. State the relationship between latitude and the average number of days each
year that thunderstorms occur over a land area. [1]
9
Base your answers to questions 16 through 20 on the satellite image shown below. The satellite image shows a lowpressure system over a portion of the United States. Air-mass symbols and frontal boundaries have been added.
Line XY is one frontal boundary. Points A, B, C, and D represent surface locations. White areas represent clouds.
17. State one process that causes clouds to form in
the moist air along the cold front. [1]
18. Describe one piece of evidence shown on the
map that suggests location A has a lower relative
humidity than location B. [1]
19. Explain why location C most likely has a cooler
temperature than location D. [1]
16. On the satellite image above , draw the proper symbol to
represent the most probable front on line XY. [1]
20. State the compass direction that the center of
this low-pressure system will move over the next
few days if it follows a normal storm track. [1]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Base your answers to questions 21 through 24 on the map below, which shows a portion of the United States here
148 tornadoes occurred during a 24-hour period in April 1974. The paths of the tornadoes are shown.
21. Explain why all the tornadoes moved toward the
northeast. [1]
22. Describe the air movement most likely found
within these tornadoes. [1]
23. A school receives a tornado warning. Describe
one emergency action that a teacher and the
students in a classroom should immediately take to
protect themselves from injury. [1]
24. Most of these tornadoes occurred with
thunderstorms along cold fronts. Identify the water
cycle process that forms clouds along cold fronts. [1]
10
Base your answers to questions 25 through 28 on the four weather station models, A, B, C, and D, below.
26. Convert the air temperature at station A into degrees
Celsius. [1]
25. List below the letters of the four station models, in
order, from the station with the highest air-pressure
reading to the station with the lowest air-pressure
reading. [1]
27. What evidence indicates that station C has the
highest relative humidity? [1]
28. On station model below, draw the proper symbol to
indicate a 25-knot wind coming from the west. [1]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Base your answers to questions 29 through 32 on the map provided, which shows weather station models and some
weather variables for a portion of the United States. Selected weather stations are labeled A, B, and C.
29. On the map draw the 50°F isotherm. The isotherm must
extend to the edges of the map. [1]
30. State the air pressure, in millibars, at weather station A.
[1]
31. The city represented by weather station B is currently
being affected by an air mass that originated over the Gulf
of Mexico. What is the two-letter air-mass symbol used to
represent this air mass? [1]
32. Which weather condition is indicated by the present
weather symbol at station C? [1]
11
Base your answers to questions 33 through 36 on the weather map below which shows a low-pressure system
located over central United States. Points A, B, and C represent locations on Earth’s surface. The isobars on the
map show air pressures in millibars.
34. What evidence shown on the map indicates that
point B is most likely experiencing precipitation? [1]
35. What is the two-letter symbol used on a weather
map to indicate the warm, moist air mass that is
over point C? [1]
36. What evidence shown on the weather map
indicates that point C is experiencing greater wind
speeds than point A? [1]
33. On the map below draw an arrow, beginning at the L, to
show the direction the low-pressure center will most likely
move in the next two days. [1]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Base your answers to questions 37 through 39 on the map below, which shows an imaginary continent on a planet
that has climate conditions similar to Earth. The continent is surrounded by oceans. Two mountain ranges are
shown. Points A through D represent locations on the continent.
37. Identify one labeled latitude on this
continent where a high-pressure zone
exists and dry air is sinking to the surface.
Include both the unit and compass direction
in your answer. [1]
38. Identify one factor that causes a colder
climate at location B than at location A. [1]
39. Explain why location C has a warmer
and drier climate than location D. [1]
12