Look Up...Meteorology! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hail

Hail is a ball of ice that falls from the sky during a storm. It may seem strange, but most hail falls in the summer, when the weather is the warmest. Hailstones can be as big as 7.9 inches (20cm) around and cause major damage when they hit the ground.

Answer: Radar

Doppler radar is a type of electronic instrument that is used by meteorologists to see rain and snow while it is still in the air. It enables them to predict the movement of weather and the speed with which it is traveling. The word radar stands for 'Radio Detection and Ranging'.

Answer: Abacus

One of the most common weather formations are clouds, which come in three main types: cumulus, stratus, and cirrus. A cloud is basically a large groups of tiny water droplets. We are not the only planet with clouds: Venus has thick clouds of sulfur dioxide.

Answer: Fulminology

As any fulminologist could tell you, lightning is that powerful burst of electricity that is seen during thunderstorms. Lightning can occur inside clouds, between two clouds, and from clouds to the ground. Lightning can also occur during dust storms, snow storms, forest fires, and volcanic eruptions.

Answer: Blizzard

A blizzard is a long-lasting snow storm with heavy winds and heavy snow levels. These frigid storms can block visibility, close down whole cities, and cut off power, water, and all roadways. While blizzards are associated with cooler climates, in 1972, the tropical country of Iran had a blizzard which killed over 4,000 people in just three days.

Answer: Dust devil

A dust devil is a whirlwind of air that contains so much dust and debris that is becomes visible. Usually only 10-20 ft. in diameter, dust devils do not usually extend more than 100 ft. in the air and usually occur during dry seasons, especially droughts. Dust devils are interesting to look at, and rarely dangerous.

Answer: False

Rainbows can be seen at many different times including when it rains, or mists, or when there is fog, or there is dew. Rainbows are created by water droplets in the atmosphere that refract and reflect light. Remember, a rainbow is not an object - it cannot be approached or touched by your hand.

Answer: True

Snowflakes are six-sided ice crystals formed in the clouds by water vapor. Because of dirt particles in the air, no two snowflakes are exactly alike, although many are similar. "The Guinness Book of World Records" records that a snowflake fell in Fort Keogh, Montana that was 15 inches wide (38 cm) and 8 in (20 cm) thick.

Answer: Funnel cloud

A funnel cloud might be considered a weak tornado or waterspout that has not yet touched down. Once the funnel cloud hits the ground you have the violent weather formation known as a tornado. Some tornados will travel hundreds of miles bouncing up and down off the ground.

Answer: Eye

Hurricanes are a type of tropical cyclonic storm system that are known to spawn tornados, high waves, flooding, high winds and torrential rain. In the center of the storm is an 'eye', which is an area of calm. As a hurricane moves over land it begins to lose power.