National Weather Service Thunderstorms Quiz

Thunderstorms - Review Questions

1. Thunderstorms are most common in the:

a. northwest U.S.

b. southwest U.S.

c. southeast U.S.

d. northeast U.S.

2. Name the three necessary ingredients for thunderstorm formation.

a. Lifting Mechanism, Fronts, Moisture

b. Moisture, Lifting Mechanism, Instability

c. Lifting Mechanism, Mountains, Oceans

d. Stability, Moisture, Heat

3. An air mass is unstable when cool dry air is near the surface and warm moist air is aloft. (TRUE, FALSE)

4. Where is terrain most likely to be a source of lift for thunderstorm development? a. Great Plains

b. Corn belt

c. Rocky Mountains

d. Coastal plain

5. The first stage of a thunderstorm is the...

a. Cumulus stage

b. Mature stage

c. Dissipating stage

6. The most likely stage for large hail and damaging winds is the...

a. Cumulus stage

b. Mature stage

c. Dissipating stage

7. The type of thunderstorm that produces nearly all of the significant tornados is the... a. Cluster storm

b. Squall line

c. Single cell

d. Supercell

8. The clouds in this image (at right) are most representative of what stage in the life of a thunderstorm? a. Mature stage

b. Dissipating stage

c. Growth stage

d. Towering Cumulus stage

9. Define wind shear.

10. A SEVERE Thunderstorm is one that produces:

a. Lightning

b. Wind gusts to 30 mph and pea size hail

c. Tornados

d. Flash floods

11. The #1 killer among thunderstorm hazards is...

a. Lightning

b. Tornados

c. Large hail

d. Flash flooding

12. The #2 killer among thunderstorm hazards is...

a. Lightning

b. Tornados

c. Large hail

d. Flash flooding

13. The most destructive weather element is...

a. Lightning

b. Tornados

c. Large hail

d. Flash flooding

14. Most flash flood deaths occur in homes (TRUE, FALSE)

15. A highway overpass is a good place to take shelter from a tornado...