Quiz 4

 

KMCO  292153Z  04010KT  10SM  FEW040  SCT140  29/23  A2999  RMK  AO2  SLP154 T02940228= 

 

1.)  What is the temperature and dew point at Orlando, Florida to the nearest tenth of degree Celsius?

 

For this question, you needed to look at the T02940228 part of the remark (RMK) section since I asked specifically for the nearest tenth of a degree Celsius.  The temperature part is marked in red, while the dew point is marked in green.

 

0294 – The leading zero means that the temperature will be a positive value.  Also, there will be a decimal point between the 9 and 4.  Therefore, the temperature, to the nearest degree Celsius is – 29.4 degrees C

 

 

0228 – The leading zero again indicates that the temperature is positive.  There will also be a decimal between the second 2 and the 8.  This gives a dew point, to the nearest degree Celsius, as – 22.8 degrees C

 

 

2.)  What is the Sea Level Pressure in this METAR report from Orlando, Florida?  (Include what units the answer uses.)

 

This question uses the SLP154 part of the remark (RMK) section.  To interpret this, first add a decimal between the 5 and 4.  Next you have to add a 9 or 10 in front of the 15.4.  If I use 915.4, this is not within the “usual” range of 970 – 1030, so I know I need to use a 10. 

 

Therefore, the Sea Level Pressure, given in units of millibars (mb) is:  1015.4 mb

 

 

KABR  292256Z  18009KT  7SM  OVC011  14/12  A2971  RMK  A02  SLP061 T01440117=

 

3.)  What is the wind speed and direction in this Barrow, Alaska METAR report?

 

This question asks you to look at the 18009KT section of the METAR report.  The wind direction is blue and the wind speed is pink. 

 

To interpret this, the wind is blowing FROM 180 degrees (from the South) and it is blowing at a speed of 9 knots.  (The units are indicated by the KT).

 

4.)  What are Barrow’s cloud conditions, and at what height are these cloud conditions observed?

 

The cloud conditions are given by OVC011, with the cloud abundance given in red, and the cloud height is given in blue.

 

OVC means that my cloud conditions are Overcast.

011 – To get your cloud height, you must add two zeros to the end of this number.  Therefore, the cloud height is 01100, or 1100 feet.

 

 

5.)  From the reading, two types of observation “scales” were described; synoptic and mesoscale.  Which of these scales is larger?

 

 The larger of these two scales is the “synoptic” scale.  This scale deals with large weather features which may cover larger portions of the country, such as winter long-wave troughs.