Fun Trivia Questions On Weather

A downburst is a strong downward flow of air beneath a thunderstorm. It is characterized by a rapid and powerful descent of air that can cause damaging winds at the surface. Downbursts can be dangerous and destructive, causing widespread damage to buildings, trees, and other structures. They are often associated with severe thunderstorms and can occur with or without precipitation.

When broken river ice gets stuck in a narrow channel, it creates an obstruction that prevents the flow of water downstream. This accumulation of ice blocks can lead to a buildup of water behind the jam, causing flooding upstream. Therefore, the correct answer is "Ice Jam."

Mercurial barometers measure atmospheric pressure. A barometer is a scientific instrument used to measure air pressure. Mercurial barometers specifically use mercury to measure the pressure exerted by the atmosphere. As air pressure changes, it causes the level of mercury in the barometer to rise or fall. This allows scientists and meteorologists to monitor and predict changes in weather patterns.

Oceans are the main source of water vapor in the air, accounting for approximately 90% of it. The sun's energy causes the water in the oceans to evaporate, turning it into water vapor. This water vapor then rises into the atmosphere, where it condenses to form clouds and eventually falls back to the Earth as precipitation. This continuous cycle of evaporation and condensation is known as the water cycle, and it is primarily driven by the vast amount of water present in the Earth's oceans.

TIROS I, launched on April 1, 1960, was a weather satellite. Weather satellites are designed to observe and gather data about atmospheric conditions, including cloud cover, temperature, precipitation, and storms. TIROS I was the first successful weather satellite, providing valuable information about weather patterns and helping to improve weather forecasting capabilities.

Hurricane Andrew was a powerful Category 5 hurricane that struck Homestead, Florida, in 1992, not 2002. It caused extensive damage, demolishing many buildings and leaving thousands of people homeless. The storm was one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history and prompted significant changes in building codes and disaster preparedness measures.

Mt. Kilimanjaro is the correct answer because it is the only mountain among the options that is located near the equator. It is a dormant volcano and the highest peak in Africa, with a permanent snowcap despite its proximity to the equator. Mt. Rushmore, Mt. Everest, and Mt. Fuji are not located near the equator and do not have permanent snowcaps.

The spring equinox occurs in March in the U.S. This is because the spring equinox marks the beginning of spring, when the length of day and night are nearly equal. In the Northern Hemisphere, the spring equinox usually falls on March 20th or 21st. Therefore, March is the correct answer for when the spring equinox occurs in the U.S.

The bottom layer of the atmosphere is called the troposphere. This layer is closest to the Earth's surface and extends up to about 10-15 kilometers. It is where weather phenomena occur, such as clouds, rain, and wind. The troposphere contains most of the Earth's air mass and is where we live and breathe.

The side of a sail furthest away from the wind is called the leeward side. This is the side that is sheltered from the wind and where the sail is not directly affected by the wind's force. The leeward side is opposite to the windward side, which is the side of the sail facing the wind.

Antarctica is the correct answer because it is the coldest continent on Earth. It experiences extremely low temperatures due to its high elevation, thick ice sheets, and remote location. The lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth, -128.6 degrees Fahrenheit, was measured at the Soviet Union's Vostok Station in Antarctica in 1983. The continent's harsh climate and freezing temperatures make it an ideal location for scientific research and study of extreme environments.

The correct answer is Empire State Building. This iconic landmark in New York City was struck by lightning eight times in a span of 24 minutes. Lightning strikes are not uncommon for tall structures, especially those with metal components, as they attract electrical charges during thunderstorms. The Empire State Building, standing at 1,454 feet tall, has lightning rods installed at its pinnacle to protect the building and its occupants from the potential damage caused by lightning strikes.

Alaska and Hawaii have both experienced record highs of 100 degrees. While Alaska is known for its cold climate, it does have some areas that can reach high temperatures during the summer. Hawaii, on the other hand, is a tropical state with a warm climate year-round, so it is not surprising that it has reached such high temperatures. Idaho, Maine, and Florida are not known for reaching such extreme temperatures, making them less likely to be the correct answer.

A "Milk Moon" occurs in the month of May. This is because the term "Milk Moon" refers to the full moon that occurs in May. In many cultures, this full moon is associated with the abundance of milk from cows, as it is typically the time when cows are able to graze on fresh grass and produce more milk. Therefore, May is the correct answer for when a "Milk Moon" occurs.

Canberra, Australia is the "foggiest" world capital that averages 47 fogs a year. This means that Canberra experiences a high number of foggy days throughout the year compared to other world capitals. Foggy conditions can occur when there is a temperature inversion, causing the air near the ground to cool and condense, forming fog. The geographical location and climate of Canberra may contribute to its higher number of fogs, making it the correct answer.