Weather and Climate A – B1 Base your answers to questions 7 and 8 on the map

below, which represents an imaginary continent.

1. What causes the Coriolis effect? Locations A and B are on opposite sides of a
(1) Earth’s tilt on its axis mountain range on a planet similar to Earth. Location
(2) the spin of Earth on its axis C is on the planet’s equator.
(3) the orbital motion of the Moon around Earth
(4) the orbital motion of Earth around the Sun

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 7. Compared to the climate at location A, the climate
at location B would most likely be
4. A weather station model is shown below. What is (1) warmer and more humid
the barometric pressure indicated by this station (2) warmer and less humid
model? (3) cooler and more humid
(4) cooler and less humid

8. Location C most likely experiences

(1) low air pressure and low precipitation
(1) 0.029 mb (3) 1002.9 mb (2) low air pressure and high precipitation
(2) 902.9 mb (4) 1029.0 mb (3) high air pressure and low precipitation
(4) high air pressure and high precipitation
5. The upward movement of air in the atmosphere
generally causes the temperature of that air to 9. The diagram below shows weather instruments A
(1) decrease and become closer to the dewpoint and B.
(2) decrease and become farther from the dewpoint
(3) increase and become closer to the dewpoint
(4) increase and become farther from the dewpoint

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 Base your answers to questions 16 through 19 on the
experience the heaviest winter snowfall when the climate graphs below, which show average monthly
surface winds are blowing from the west or northwest? precipitation and temperatures at four cities, A, B, C,
(1) New York City (3) Oswego and D.
(2) Binghamton (4) Plattsburgh

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 16. City A has very little variation in temperature
during the year because city A is located
15. The weather instrument shown below can be used (1) on the dry side of a mountain
to determine dewpoint. (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
19. Very little water will infiltrate the soil around city D
(1) –5°C (2) 2°C (3) 8°C (4) 33°C
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 Base your answers to questions 26 through 29 on the
weather conditions in an area that is experiencing weather map below, which shows a low-pressure
winds from the northeast at 25 knots and has had a system over the central United States. Isobars are
steady drop in barometric pressure of 2.7 millibars labeled in millibars. Points A, B, C, and D represent
during the last three hours? 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 26. The circulation of surface winds associated with
this low-pressure system is
23. What is the dewpoint when the dry-bulb (1) clockwise and toward the center of the low
temperature is 24°C and the wet-bulb temperature is (2) clockwise and away from the center of the low
21°C? (3) counterclockwise and toward the center of the low
(1) 16°C (2) 18°C (3) 20°C (4) 21°C (4) counterclockwise and away from the center of the
low
Base your answers to questions 24 and 25 on the
diagram below, which shows air movement over a 27. The air pressure at the center of this low is
mountain range. The arrows indicate the direction of (1) 991 mb (3) 997 mb
airflow. Points 1 through 3 represent locations on (2) 994 mb (4) 1001 mb
Earth’s surface.
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 low-
pressure 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 30. Which coastal location experiences a cooler
(2) cooler and wetter summer climate due to ocean currents?
(3) warmer and drier (1) southeast coast of North America
(4) warmer and wetter (2) northeast coast of Australia
(3) southwest coast of South America
25. Cloud formation at location 2 is the direct result of (4) northwest coast of Europe
air that is rising,
(1) expanding, and cooling
(2) expanding, and warming
(3) compressing, and cooling
(4) compressing, and warming

3
Base your answers to questions 31 through 33 on the 34. The weather instrument below is used to
weather map below, which shows a high-pressure determine dewpoint and relative humidity.
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 Based on the temperatures shown, the approximate
(2) warm (4) cold dewpoint and relative humidity are
(1) –19°C and 4% (3) 8°C and 40%
32. Which cross section best represents the fronts and (2) –5°C and 25% (4) 12°C and 53%
air movements in the lower atmosphere along line
XY?
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 Base your answers to questions 41 through 43 on the
2°Cand the wet-bulb temperature is –1°C. What is th e weather map below, which shows a low-pressure
relative humidity at this location? system over the eastern United States. Letters A
(1) 6% (2) 37% (3) 51% (4) 83% 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 41. Which station model correctly represents the
near a large body of water. barometric pressure at station A?
(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
42. Which weather instrument was used to measure
map best represents this wind’s direction?
wind speed at station D?
Land Water
(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
40. An instrument used to measure a weather variable (3) away from the center in a clockwise pattern
is shown below. (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 50. Mt. Marcy often has the coldest nighttime
below, which shows locations A and B on Earth’s temperatures in New York State because of its
surface at the same distance from the ocean, at the (1) latitude and planetary winds
same elevation above sea level, and at the same (2) latitude and elevation
latitude. (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° Which atmospheric variable is most likely represented
by the isolines on this map?
47. Very cold climates occur at Earth’s North and (1) snowfall in inches
South Poles because the polar regions (2) wind speed in knots
(1) are usually farthest from the Sun (3) barometric pressure in millibars
(2) absorb the greatest amount of insolation (4) air temperature in degrees Fahrenheit
(3) receive the most hours of daylight
(4) receive low-angle insolation 52. What is the dewpoint temperature when the
relative humidity is 30% and the air temperature is
48. A barometric pressure of 1021.0 millibars is equal 20°C?
to how many inches of mercury? (1) –28°C (3) 6°C
(1) 29.88 (3) 30.25 (2) 2°C (4) 9°C
(2) 30.15 (4) 30.50
53. Cloud formation is likely to occur in rising air
49. On which station model would the present weather because rising air
symbol * most likely be found? (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
59. Which wind speed was recorded at Detroit?
56. Which change would cause a decrease in the (1) 15 knots (3) 35 knots
amount of insolation absorbed at Earth’s surface? (2) 25 knots (4) 45 knots
(1) a decrease in cloud cover
(2) a decrease in atmospheric transparency 60. Which city had the lowest relative humidity?
(3) an increase in the duration of daylight (1) Chicago (3) Buffalo
(4) an increase in nitrogen gas (2) Detroit (4) Utica

57. Which event temporarily slows or reverses surface 61. Which weather symbol best represents the type of
ocean currents in the equatorial region of the Pacific precipitation that was most likely occurring in Utica?
Ocean, causing a disruption of normal weather
patterns?
(1) tsunami (3) El Niño
(2) volcanic eruption (4) deforestation ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
58. Increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in Earth’s 62. Which cold ocean current affects the climate of the
atmosphere increases atmospheric temperature northeastern coast of North America?
because the carbon dioxide absorbs (1) Gulf Stream (3) Labrador
(1) incoming solar gamma ray radiation (2) Canaries (4) North Atlantic
(2) incoming solar visible light radiation
(3) outgoing terrestrial ultraviolet radiation
(4) outgoing terrestrial infrared radiation

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

7. In the table below write the names of the cities
geographic region that was most likely the source of the mT air
listed below in sequence from lowest relative
mass. [1]
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 15. State the relationship between latitude and the average number of days each
the Xs with a line. [1] 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 low-
pressure 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]

20. State the compass direction that the center of

16. On the satellite image above , draw the proper symbol to this low-pressure system will move over the next
represent the most probable front on line XY. [1] 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]

27. What evidence indicates that station C has the

25. List below the letters of the four station models, in highest relative humidity? [1]
order, from the station with the highest air-pressure
reading to the station with the lowest air-pressure
reading. [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