10 reviewed questions · mixed difficulty
Weather changes quickly, but the physical ideas behind it are consistent. These questions cover atmospheric measurements, clouds, storms, moisture, and wind.
Many weather concepts begin with measurements such as air pressure, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation.
The explanations connect visible weather to air movement, temperature, and water changing state.
Questions and answers
Make your choice first, then open the answer to see a clear explanation.
Answer: A barometer
Changes in atmospheric pressure help meteorologists track weather systems.
Source: UK Met Office
Answer: The amount of water vapour in air compared with the maximum it could hold at that temperature
Warm air can contain more water vapour than cold air, so relative humidity depends on temperature.
Source: NOAA
Answer: Cumulonimbus
These tall clouds form in unstable air and can produce heavy rain, lightning, hail, and strong winds.
Source: UK Met Office
Answer: A violently rotating column of air connected to a thunderstorm and the ground
Not every rotating funnel becomes a tornado; it must reach the surface.
Source: NOAA
Answer: Heat and moisture from warm ocean water
Warm, moist air fuels deep thunderstorms around the storm's centre.
Source: NOAA
Answer: Precipitation
Precipitation is water, liquid or solid, that falls from the atmosphere to the surface.
Source: UK Met Office
Answer: The temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapour
Cooling air to its dew point can lead to condensation, dew, fog, or cloud formation.
Source: NOAA
Answer: From the north
Winds are named for the direction from which they originate.
Source: UK Met Office
Answer: Lightning rapidly heats air, causing it to expand and create a shock wave
Light reaches an observer much faster than the resulting sound.
Source: NOAA
Answer: Places with equal atmospheric pressure
Closely spaced isobars usually indicate a stronger pressure gradient and potentially stronger winds.
Source: UK Met Office
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