p.7
Thunderstorm Development Stages
What occurs during the mature stage of a thunderstorm?
Heavy precipitation falls, and violent turbulence exists.
p.6
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What is a stationary front?
A boundary between two air masses that remains stationary and influences local weather for days.
p.7
Thunderstorm Development Stages
What is the maximum height severe thunderstorms can reach?
50,000 to 60,000 feet, depending on latitude.
p.8
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What is the primary hazard associated with squall lines?
They present the single most intense weather hazard to aircraft.
p.6
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What type of weather is typically associated with cold fronts?
Sudden storms, gusty winds, turbulence, and sometimes hail or tornadoes.
p.9
Turbulence and Icing Risks
What indicates the presence of potentially hazardous turbulence in thunderstorms?
Strong shear between updrafts and downdrafts.
p.9
Turbulence and Icing Risks
What is the gust front and its effect on surface winds?
The gust front causes a rapid and sometimes drastic change in surface wind ahead of an approaching storm.
p.10
Visibility and Ceiling in Aviation
How does visibility change within a thunderstorm cloud?
Visibility is generally near zero within a thunderstorm cloud.
p.5
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What characterizes a cold front?
It occurs when cold, dense air replaces warmer air.
p.10
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
Can hail be encountered in clear air?
Yes, hail may be encountered several miles from thunderstorm clouds.
p.6
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
How do cold fronts differ from warm fronts in terms of weather change?
Cold fronts bring a complete weather change in just a few hours, while warm fronts can take days to pass through a region.
p.10
Impact of Weather on Flight Safety
What is the effect of thunderstorms on altimeter readings?
Pressure falls rapidly, rises sharply, and may cause altimeter errors of more than 100 feet.
p.9
Turbulence and Icing Risks
What temperature range leads to the formation of ice crystals in thunderstorms?
When the temperature in the upward current cools to about –15 °C.
p.10
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What is one of the greatest thunderstorm hazards to aircraft?
Hail competes with turbulence as the greatest thunderstorm hazard.
p.7
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What cloud types are prevalent before the passage of a typical occluded front?
Cirriform and stratiform clouds.
p.6
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What is the typical wind rotation around high and low-pressure systems?
Winds around a high-pressure system rotate clockwise, while low-pressure winds rotate counter-clockwise.
p.6
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What type of weather conditions do warm fronts typically bring?
Low ceilings, poor visibility, and rain.
p.6
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What defines a cold front occlusion?
Occurs when a fast-moving cold front is colder than the air ahead of a slow-moving warm front, forcing the warm front aloft.
p.3
Cloud Formation and Altitude
What type of clouds can form from moist, unstable air?
Cumulus clouds, showers, and turbulence.
p.10
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What conditions lead to the formation of large hail?
Large hail occurs with severe thunderstorms that have strong updrafts.
p.7
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What happens to visibility and barometric pressure before the passage of an occluded front?
Visibility is poor and barometric pressure drops.
p.6
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What is a squall line and when can it form?
A squall line can form during the summer months as far as 200 miles in advance of a strong cold front.
p.5
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What weather conditions are expected as one approaches Indianapolis?
Broken clouds at 2,000 feet, three miles visibility, and rain.
p.8
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What can tornadoes form from in thunderstorms?
A concentrated vortex created by rotating air drawn into the cloud base.
p.9
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What type of thunderstorms can produce tornadoes?
Both isolated and squall line thunderstorms.
p.6
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What happens during an occluded front?
A fast-moving cold front catches up with a slow-moving warm front, leading to a mixture of warm and cold front weather.
p.7
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What are the potential hazards of flying under thunderstorms?
Rain, hail, damaging lightning, and violent turbulence.
p.6
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What is the impact of cold fronts on visibility after passage?
Weather clears rapidly after passage, leading to drier air with unlimited visibilities.
p.1
Cloud Types and Characteristics
What are typical examples of middle-level clouds?
Altostratus and altocumulus.
p.5
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What type of clouds typically form before a cold front passes?
Cirriform or towering cumulus clouds, and cumulonimbus clouds may develop.
p.2
Cloud Types and Characteristics
What defines Stratus clouds?
They are formed in layers.
p.7
Thunderstorm Development Stages
What happens to the cloud during the dissipating stage of a thunderstorm?
Downdrafts replace updrafts, leading to the storm's weakening.
p.10
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What happens to hailstones as they fall through warmer air?
They begin to melt and may reach the ground as either hail or rain.
p.10
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What can lightning do to an aircraft?
It can puncture the skin and damage communications and navigational equipment.
p.1
Cloud Types and Characteristics
What is the altitude range for middle clouds?
6,500 feet AGL to 20,000 feet AGL.
p.1
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What are embedded thunderstorms?
Cumulonimbus clouds obscured by other cloud formations.
p.4
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What happens to visibility as a warm front approaches?
Visibility generally decreases and is poor.
p.2
Precipitation Types and Impacts on Flight
What does precipitation refer to?
Any type of water particles that form in the atmosphere and fall to the ground.
p.10
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
How do hailstones grow in a thunderstorm?
Supercooled drops freeze and other drops latch on and freeze to them.
p.8
Thunderstorm Development Stages
What are the three stages of a thunderstorm?
Cumulus Stage, Mature Stage, and Dissipating Stage.
p.9
Turbulence and Icing Risks
What makes thunderstorm icing extremely hazardous?
The abundance of large, supercooled water droplets.
p.5
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What happens to the temperature when a cold front passes?
The temperature decreases suddenly.
p.3
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What is a front in meteorology?
The boundary layer between two air masses with different characteristics.
p.4
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What occurs to the temperature as a warm front passes?
The temperature rises steadily.
p.7
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What type of weather is associated with an occluded front?
Embedded thunderstorms, rain, and fog.
p.8
Thunderstorm Development Stages
What conditions are necessary for a thunderstorm to form?
Sufficient water vapor, an unstable lapse rate, and initial lifting action.
p.8
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What is a squall line?
A narrow band of active thunderstorms that often develops on or ahead of a cold front.
p.5
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
How fast do cold fronts typically move?
At a rate of 25 to 30 mph, with extreme cases up to 60 mph.
p.3
Air Masses and Their Classifications
What occurs when an air mass passes over a warmer surface?
It is warmed from below, creating convective currents and an unstable air mass.
p.3
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What are the four types of fronts?
Warm, cold, stationary, and occluded.
p.3
Cloud Types and Characteristics
What type of clouds are likely to develop in summer months with warm fronts?
Cumulonimbus clouds (thunderstorms).
p.2
Precipitation Types and Impacts on Flight
What are ice pellets an indication of?
A temperature inversion and the presence of freezing rain at a higher altitude.
p.7
Thunderstorm Development Stages
What is the typical sequence of stages in a thunderstorm's life cycle?
Cumulus stage, mature stage, dissipating stage.
p.9
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What happens to an aircraft entering a tornado vortex?
It is almost certain to suffer loss of control and structural damage.
p.7
Impact of Weather on Flight Safety
What is a good rule of thumb regarding flying near severe thunderstorms?
Circumnavigate thunderstorms identified as severe or giving an extreme radar echo.
p.5
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What indicates that fog is likely to develop?
When the temperature and dew point are the same.
p.1
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What hazards can altostratus clouds produce?
Turbulence and moderate icing.
p.5
Impact of Weather on Flight Safety
What should pilots do when approaching a cold front?
Remain in a safe location until the front has passed.
p.4
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What type of precipitation is likely with a warm front?
Light to moderate precipitation, usually in the form of rain, sleet, snow, or drizzle.
p.2
Visibility and Ceiling in Aviation
What is the definition of 'ceiling' in aviation?
The lowest layer of clouds reported as broken or overcast.
p.2
Air Masses and Their Classifications
What characteristics do air masses take on?
The temperature and moisture characteristics of the source region.
p.9
Turbulence and Icing Risks
What is a roll cloud and what does it signify?
A roll cloud marks the top of the eddies in shear and signifies an extremely turbulent zone.
p.10
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What is a potential risk of engine water ingestion during thunderstorms?
High concentrations of water can exceed the amount turbine engines are designed to ingest, leading to flameout.
p.10
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What should pilots anticipate with any thunderstorm?
Possible hail, especially beneath the anvil of a large cumulonimbus.
p.3
Air Masses and Their Classifications
What are the standard air mass abbreviations for continental polar and maritime tropical?
Continental polar (cP) and maritime tropical (mT).
p.5
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What weather phenomena can occur during the passage of a cold front?
Heavy rain showers, lightning, thunder, hail, and possibly tornadoes.
p.1
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What are the dangers associated with cumulonimbus clouds?
Lightning, hail, tornadoes, gusty winds, and wind shear.
p.2
Cloud Types and Characteristics
What shape do Lenticularus clouds take?
Lens-shaped, formed over mountains in strong winds.
p.4
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What happens to barometric pressure as a warm front approaches?
It continues to fall until the front passes completely.
p.2
Air Masses and Their Classifications
What are air masses classified by?
The regions where they originate.
p.9
Turbulence and Icing Risks
When should pilots be alert for icing conditions?
Anytime the temperature approaches 0 °C and visible moisture is present.
p.8
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What distinguishes a tornado from a funnel cloud?
A tornado touches the land surface, while a funnel cloud does not.
p.1
Cloud Types and Characteristics
What are typical high-level clouds?
Cirrus, cirrostratus, and cirrocumulus.
p.3
Air Masses and Their Classifications
What happens when an air mass passes over a colder surface?
It creates a stable air mass with poor surface visibility.
p.1
Thunderstorm Development Stages
What causes air mass thunderstorms?
Heating of the air near the Earth’s surface.
p.2
Precipitation Types and Impacts on Flight
How does hail form?
Freezing water droplets are carried up and down by drafts inside cumulonimbus clouds.
p.3
Air Masses and Their Classifications
What happens to an air mass as it moves from its source region?
It is subjected to varying conditions that modify its nature.
p.5
Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms
What is a squall line?
A continuous line of thunderstorms that can form along or ahead of a cold front.
p.2
Cloud Types and Characteristics
What is the appearance of Castellanus clouds?
They have a common base with separate vertical development, resembling castles.
p.2
Precipitation Types and Impacts on Flight
What is drizzle classified as?
Very small water droplets, smaller than 0.02 inches in diameter.
p.5
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
How do cold fronts differ from warm fronts in terms of speed?
Cold fronts move faster, typically at 20 to 35 mph, while warm fronts move at 10 to 25 mph.
p.3
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What weather conditions can be expected prior to the passage of a warm front?
Cirriform or stratiform clouds, along with fog.
p.4
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What is the typical weather condition when departing from Pittsburgh toward a warm front?
Good VFR with a scattered layer of cirrus clouds at 15,000 feet.
p.3
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What characterizes a warm front?
A warm mass of air advances and replaces a body of colder air.
p.1
Impact of Weather on Flight Safety
What is a significant hazard when entering a thunderstorm?
Updrafts and downdrafts that can exceed 3,000 fpm.
p.2
Visibility and Ceiling in Aviation
How is visibility defined in aviation?
The greatest horizontal distance at which prominent objects can be viewed with the naked eye.
p.2
Air Masses and Their Classifications
What type of air mass brings cool, dry air?
Continental polar air mass.
p.4
Weather Fronts and Their Effects
What is the wind direction associated with a warm front?
From the south-southeast before the front passes, and from the south-southwest after.
