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Tornadoes and Severe Weather Trivia Quiz

The quiz has two sections: tornado and severe weather. The questions in each section get progressively harder as you go.

A multiple-choice quiz by ksuweatherman. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
ksuweatherman

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
182,177

Updated
Sep 23 23

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
7 / 15

Plays
4070

Last 3 plays: Guest 142 (2/15), Guest 185 (9/15), Guest 175 (6/15).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. The scale for estimating tornado strength is the Fujita scale. What specifically is used to determine the rating of the tornado? Hint

length of the tornado's damage path

appearance of the tornado

tornado damage

width of the tornado

NEXT>

Question 2 of 15

2. The state with the most tornadoes annually is: Hint

Kansas

Texas

Florida

Oklahoma

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Question 3 of 15

3. The tri-state tornado was the deadliest tornado ever to hit the US, moving through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. How many people were killed? Hint

317

563

255

695

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Question 4 of 15

4. On the Fujita Scale, a tornado rated F3 would have what range of wind speeds? Hint

261-318 mph

207-260 mph

158-206 mph

113-157 mph

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Question 5 of 15

5. Tornado activity begins in late winter and migrates in what direction? Hint

south

west

east

north

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Question 6 of 15

6. What is the distinguishing feature of a supercell thunderstorm? Hint

mesocyclone

anvil

heavy rain and hail

tornadoes

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Question 7 of 15

7. CAPE and LI are indices which are used to determine: Hint

wind shear

likelihood of storm rotation

position of fronts

instability

8. If a tornado is moving east at 30 knots and the tornado's rotational speed is 150 knots, what is the net wind speed on the northern edge of the tornado if the tornado is rotating counter-clockwise? Hint

420 knots

150 knots

120 knots

180 knots

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Question 9 of 15

9. Prior to 2010, in the USA, which of these met the criteria for a severe thunderstorm? Hint

all of these met the criteria

hail 3/4 inch or greater

tornado

winds exceeding 58 mph

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Question 10 of 15

10. Which of the following synoptic scenarios is not favorable for severe weather formation? Hint

Cyclogenesis east of the Rocky Mountains

Cold air advection aloft

Jet stream above the warm sector of a low pressure center

Ridging over the Rocky Mountains

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Question 11 of 15

11. Which thunderstorm component kills the most people each year? Hint

lightning

tornadoes

flooding

hurricanes

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Question 12 of 15

12. Which of the following conditions is not favorable for large hail? Hint

strong winds aloft

high freezing level above surface

strong updraft

high CAPE values

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Question 13 of 15

13. Which thunderstorm type is also known as a steady-state thunderstorm? Hint

multicell

supercell

ordinary

squall line

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Question 14 of 15

14. Which type of supercell is most likely to develop into a squall line during its later stages? Hint

DBZ

classic

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Question 15 of 15

15. Which radar algorithm is used to determine hail threat? Hint

VIL

Radial Velocity

DBZ

Storm-Relative Velocity

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The scale for estimating tornado strength is the Fujita scale. What specifically is used to determine the rating of the tornado?

Answer: tornado damage

The Fujita Scale estimates tornado strength by looking at the damage produced by the tornado. The rating a tornado receives is based on its most intense damage.

2. The state with the most tornadoes annually is:

Answer: Texas

Texas is by far the leader in tornado touchdowns per year with 124. The next closest state is Oklahoma with 52. Kansas has 47 and Florida has 46.

3. The tri-state tornado was the deadliest tornado ever to hit the US, moving through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. How many people were killed?

Answer: 695

The tri-state tornado hit Missouri, Illinois and Indiana in 1925. It also had the longest track of any tornado. It was on the ground for 219 miles.

4. On the Fujita Scale, a tornado rated F3 would have what range of wind speeds?

Answer: 158-206 mph

F3 winds cause severe damage with walls being removed from frame houses.

5. Tornado activity begins in late winter and migrates in what direction?

Answer: north

Tornado activity begins in the Southern states during late February and March and moves northward.

6. What is the distinguishing feature of a supercell thunderstorm?

Answer: mesocyclone

Heavy rain, hail, anvils, and tornadoes occur with all types of thunderstorms. The mesocyclone occurs exclusively with supercell thunderstorms. The mesocyclone is the rotating updraft of the thunderstorm. It dynamically induces low pressure because of its rotation which creates a pressure gradient force directed upward, enhancing the updraft.

7. CAPE and LI are indices which are used to determine:

Answer: instability

CAPE (convective available potential energy) and LI (lifted index) are used to determine instability. Areas with high instability and strong vertical wind shear are favorable for tornado development.

Answer: 120 knots

The translational speed (ground speed of the tornado) of the tornado would cause the strongest winds to occur on the south side of this tornado. It's a matter of vector addition and some thought.

9. Prior to 2010, in the USA, which of these met the criteria for a severe thunderstorm?

Answer: all of these met the criteria

Tornadoes are included in this classification. It might be confusing because severe thunderstorm warnings are not issued with tornadoes, rather tornado warnings are.

10. Which of the following synoptic scenarios is not favorable for severe weather formation?

Answer: Ridging over the Rocky Mountains

A trough of the Rocky Mountains is favorable for severe weather. Troughs over the Rocky Mountains will produce low pressure systems east of the Rockies which can make tornado producers with a strong jet stream aloft and cold air aloft.

11. Which thunderstorm component kills the most people each year?

Answer: flooding

Flash flooding is the number 1 killer of thunderstorms. It is by far the most underrated threat a thunderstorm poses to people.

12. Which of the following conditions is not favorable for large hail?

Answer: high freezing level above surface

A high freezing level means that hail will have more time to melt before it reaches the surface, therefore a lower freezing level is preferred. Strong updrafts and high CAPEs are the result of strong instability which suspends the hailstone aloft longer and allows for more growth. Strong winds aloft help separate the updraft and downdraft, preventing precipitation loading on the updraft.

13. Which thunderstorm type is also known as a steady-state thunderstorm?

Answer: supercell

Supercell thunderstorms are dynamically and thermodynamically driven. It achieves its steady-state characteristic because it is efficient is separating the updraft and the downdraft.

14. Which type of supercell is most likely to develop into a squall line during its later stages?

Answer: HP

The outflow of the HP supercell cell is the strongest of the three types. DBZ is not a type of supercell. As the outflow spreads out, it can trigger new thunderstorm development.

15. Which radar algorithm is used to determine hail threat?

Answer: VIL

VIL is measured in kg/m^2. Large hail occurs with VILs of 30 or greater. However, it does vary from location to location.

Source: Author ksuweatherman

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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