Geography · Environmental Studies

Climate, Weather, and Geography

2,194 Questions

Climate, weather, and geography examine temperature variations, wind patterns, atmospheric hazards, and global climate zones. This hub addresses climographs, thunderstorm triggers, and regional climate descriptors. These concepts are essential for UPSC, SSC, and RRB general studies and geography exams.

Temperature variationWind patternsClimate zonesDesert climateWeather events

Climate, Weather, and Geography Questions

Multiple choice

When there is no friction, wind is _____________ the geostrophic wind.

  1. equal to

  2. greater than

  3. less than

  4. not affected by

  5. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, the actual wind would be equal to the geostrophic wind when there is no friction. Geostrophic wind  is the theoretical wind, that would result from an exact balance between the coriolis effect and the pressure gradient force.

Multiple choice

The collection of weather information by using weather instruments is an example of collecting

  1. primary data

  2. secondary data

  3. tertiary data

  4. generic data
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Primary data is information collected directly by the researcher through original methods like observations, experiments, or measurements. Using weather instruments to collect weather information is direct, original data collection, not using existing sources which would be secondary data.

Multiple choice

'Unseasonal winds' refer to

Directions: Read the passage given below and answer the question that follows by selecting the most appropriate option.
1.        Dust-caked clouds coated the bay, tanker ships signalled.
2.       Dozens of us wearily pressed on through the unseasonal winds and blanketed chill. Outdoor cafe chairs were abandoned, some overturned and others stacked waiting to tumble down. But not today. My bag felt heavier on my shoulder than ever before. I lifted it in my hand to relieve the pressure and dreamed of days when I, too, was lighter.
3.        My mind wandered.
4.        Another year gone.
5.       I tripped through a wall of pedestrians, then suddenly a moving bus carelessly littered me down into the curb. My tear-stained eyes searched for an angel on the concrete surface, but the illuminated white crossing hand signalled my insignificance.
6.       I pushed myself up, bruised and filthy. A horn quickly warned me of approaching death, then the yellow taxi sped through the red bulb. Sighing, I checked each direction, brushing waste from my body as I joined a new crowd and made the final push across the last road. I hoisted my bag, checked. for my office keys, then entered one of the many sky-gripping fortresses of the financial district.
7.        Back to work.

  1. strong winds blowing that day

  2. winds causing unexpected storm

  3. not the time of the year for such windy conditions

  4. windy conditions that change the climate
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'Unseasonal' means not typical for the season - occurring at a time of year when it wouldn't normally be expected. The winds are described as 'unseasonal' because they are occurring at a time when such windy conditions wouldn't normally happen. Option C captures this perfectly: 'not the time of the year for such windy conditions'. Option A just describes them as strong winds, which doesn't capture 'unseasonal'. Option B suggests a storm, which isn't mentioned. Option D suggests changing climate, which is too extreme.

Multiple choice

The difference between a blizzard and a snowstorm is defined in terms of

  1. strength of wind
  2. amount of snow
  3. level of visibility

  1. Both 1 and 2

  2. Both 2 and 3

  3. Only 1

  4. Only 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The difference between a blizzard and a snowstorm is the strength of the wind, not the amount of snow. To be a blizzard, a snowstorm must have sustained winds or frequent gusts that are greater than or equal to 56 km/h (35 mph) with blowing or drifting snow, which reduces visibility to 400 meters or a quarter mile or less and must last for a prolonged period of time, typically three hours or more.

Multiple choice

Consider the following facts:

  1. Tropical cyclones are formed over large water bodies of relatively warm water.
  2. In a cyclone, wind blows in clockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise direction in the Southern Hemisphere.

Which of the above is/are true?

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A tropical cyclone is a rapidly-rotating storm system characterised by a low pressure center, strong winds and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain. Tropical cyclones typically form over large bodies of relatively warm water. The term "cyclone" refers to their cyclonic nature, with wind blowing counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. The opposite direction of circulation is due to the Coriolis force.

Multiple choice

Consider the following facts:

  1. The El Nino Southern Oscillation is capable of causing extreme climate conditions, which include floods and droughts.
  2. Countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean are most affected by the ENSO phenomenon.

Which of the above is/are true?

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

El Niño/La Niña Southern Oscillation is a band of anomalously warm ocean water temperatures that occasionally develops off the western coast of South America and can cause climatic changes across the Pacific Ocean.The extremes of this climate pattern's oscillations cause extreme weather (such as floods and droughts) in many regions of the world. Developing countries dependent upon agriculture and fishing, particularly those bordering the Pacific Ocean are the most affected.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are true for a ground blizzard?

  1. Precipitation is produced at the time of snowstorm.
  2. Loose snow is lifted and blown by strong winds.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Ground blizzard refers to a weather condition where loose snow or ice on the ground is lifted and blown by strong winds. The primary difference between a ground blizzard as opposed to a regular blizzard is that in a ground blizzard, no precipitation is produced at the time, but rather all the precipitation is already present in the form of snow or ice at the surface.

Multiple choice

Consider the following facts:

  1. Volcanoes are capable of cooling the atmosphere.
  2. Barren Island is the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia.

Which of the above is/are true?

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Large eruptions can affect temperature as ash and droplets of sulphuric acid obscure the sun and cool the earth's lower atmosphere or troposphere. However, they also absorb heat radiated up from the earth, thereby warming the stratosphere. Historically, so called volcanic winters have caused catastrophic famines. Barren Island is located in the Andaman Sea, one of the most easterly of the Andaman Islands. It is the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia.

Multiple choice

Consider the following facts:

  1. The destructive potential of avalanches results from their speed and mass.
  2. Down the slope, an avalanche gains mass and volume.
  3. Avalanches are rare phenomena constrained by season and endemic to only a few mountain ranges.

Which of the above is/are true?

  1. Both 1 and 2

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 3

  4. All three
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

After initiation, avalanches usually accelerate rapidly and grow in mass and volume as they entrain more snow. Avalanches are not rare or random events and are endemic to any mountain range that accumulates a standing snowpack. Avalanches are most common during winter or spring but glacier movements may cause ice and snow avalanches at any time of the year. In mountainous terrain, avalanches are among the most serious objective natural hazards affecting life and property, with their destructive capability resulting from their potential to carry enormous mass of snow at high speed.