The following 20 question quiz asks multiple choice questions based on satellite weather information.

An answer key is provided at the bottom of this webpage.

1. This is the fraction of visible radiation that reflects off an object:
a. Opaqueness
b. Albedo
c. Transmissivity
d. Color

2. Cloud shadowing is best seen on this type of satellite image:
a. Visible
b. Infrared
c. Water Vapor

3. This satellite imagery shows contrasting temperatures of cloud tops. Approximate cloud heights can be determined using this imagery:
a. Visible
b. Infrared
c. Water Vapor

4. If a colder surface is next to a warmer surface on conventional infrared imagery, which one will appear more white on the satellite image output?
a. The colder surface
b. The warmer surface

5. On visible imagery, fog will cover unfrozen lakes and rivers while snow will not.
a. True
b. False

6. The process of distributing heat by mixing air is:
a. Radiation
b. Conduction
c. Convection

7. Half of the earth's atmosphere is below _________ kilometers of elevation.
a. 550
b. 55
c. 5.5
d. 0.6

8. Clouds on satellite imagery can be identified by their:
a. Texture
b. Brightness
c. Temperature
d. All of the above

9. In this season visible imagery is most useful since the days are longer and the sun angle is higher:
a. Summer
b. Winter

10. An advantage of infrared imagery over visible imagery is that:
a. Infrared imagery is best at detecting thunderstorm texture
b. Infrared imagery is best at detecting cloud thickness
c. Infrared imagery can be used at night
d. All of the above

11. This imagery detects moisture or lack of moisture in the middle and upper layers of the troposphere:
a. Visible
b. Infrared
c. Water vapor

12. This imagery has the highest resolution of data:
a. Visible
b. Infrared
c. Water vapor

13. This is the best imagery for detecting low clouds when the earth's surface and the clouds have the same temperature.
a. Visible
b. Infrared
c. Water vapor

14. The wavelength of visible light is:
a. 4 to 7 meters
b. 4 to 7 centimeters
c. 4 to 7 millimeters
d. 0.4 to 0.7 micrometers

15. When sunlight strikes a layer of fresh snow, most of the energy that makes up the sunlight will be:
a. Reflected by the snow
b. Absorbed by the snow
c. Transmitted through the snow and into the ground

16. NWS meteorologists often issue tornado warnings using satellite data. Satellite has a distinct advantage over radar when it comes to tornado detection.
a. True
b. False

17. The altitude of a GOES weather satellite is:
a. 35 kilometers
b. 350 kilometers
c. 3,500 kilometers
d. 35,000 kilometers
e. 350,000 kilometers

18. This enhancement scheme is used to highlight temperatures at the top of thunderstorm clouds:
a. ZA
b. BD
c. MB

19. The sun angle above the horizon at the earth's surface is highest in the middle latitudes during:
a. The start of summer
b. The middle of summer
c. The end of summer

20. This is a long line of strong storms that develops due to a common forcing mechanism:
a. Supercell
b. Squall line
c. MCC
d. Sea breeze


1. B
2. A
3. B
4. A
5. A
6. C
7. C
8. D
9. A
10. C
11. C
12. A
13. A
14. D
15. A
16. B
17. D
18. C
19. A
20. B