DGCA Meteorology: Air Masses & Fronts Questions
113 exam-style Air Masses & Fronts questions for the DGCA Meteorologypaper (CPL & ATPL). The first 12 are free below with answers and explanations — sign up free to practise all of them with progress tracking.
- Q1
A warm front is defined as:
- ACold air advancing over warm air
- BWarm air advancing over retreating cold air with gentle slope
- CStationary boundary
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Warm air advancing over retreating cold air with gentle slope
Warm fronts slope gently, pushing warm air up and bringing steady rain.
- Q2
Tropical maritime air mass is characterized by:
- ACold and dry
- BWarm, moist, unstable
- CPolar continental
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Warm, moist, unstable
Tropical maritime air is warm, wet, and ready to form showers if lifted.
- Q3
Ahead of a warm front the surface wind
- AVeers & Strengthens
- BBacks & weakens
- CBacks & Strengthens
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Veers & Strengthens
As a warm front approaches, pressure falls steadily and the isobars tighten, so the surface wind strengthens and shifts in direction ahead of the frontal passage.
- Q4
A warm front is defined as:
- ACold air undercutting warm
- BWarm air advancing over retreating cold air with gentle slope
- CVertical boundary
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Warm air advancing over retreating cold air with gentle slope
Warm fronts slope gently, lifting warm air for widespread rain.
- Q5
FZRA and FZFG occur ______ of a warm front
- AAhead
- BAfter
- CDuring
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Ahead
FZRA AND FZFG along the slope in the diagram
- Q6
Visibility is poor in a Warm Front
- AAhead & During
- BAhead
- CAfter & During
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Ahead & During
Visibility is poor ahead of and during a warm front, where thickening cloud, prolonged rain, drizzle and mist prevail; behind the front, in the warm sector, visibility usually improves somewhat though it may stay hazy.
- Q7
Visibility is poor in a Warm Front
- AAhead
- BAhead & During
- CAfter & During
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Ahead & During
Poor visibility with a warm front occurs ahead of and during the front, caused by thickening layer cloud, continuous rain, drizzle and mist in the frontal precipitation belt.
- Q8
FZRA and FZFG occur ______ of a warm front
- ADuring
- BAfter
- CAhead
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Ahead
Freezing rain and freezing fog occur ahead of a warm front, where rain falling from the overrunning warm air passes through, and saturates, the wedge of sub-zero cold air still lying ahead of the surface front.
- Q9
Ahead of a warm front the surface wind
- AVeers & Strengthens
- BBacks & Strengthens
- CBacks & weakens
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Veers & Strengthens
The approach of a warm front brings steadily falling pressure and a tightening pressure gradient, so the surface wind strengthens and changes direction ahead of the frontal passage.
- Q10
What is the location of warm and cold fronts?
- ABehind the airmass
- BAfter the airmass
- CAlong boundaries between air masses
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Along boundaries between air masses
Warm and cold fronts lie along the boundaries between air masses, marking the sloping transition zones where air of different temperature and humidity characteristics meet.
- Q11
What is the closest definition of a warm occlusion?
- AA cold front overtaking a warm front
- BA warm front lifting a cold front aloft
- CA cold front merging with a stationary front
Show answer
Correct answer: B. A warm front lifting a cold front aloft
In a warm occlusion the air behind the overtaking cold front is less cold than the air ahead of the warm front, so the cold front rides up the warm-frontal surface and is lifted aloft, leaving an upper cold front above the retreating colder air.
- Q12
Ahead of a warm front the surface wind
- ABacks & weakens
- B Backs & Strengthens
- C Veers & Strengthens
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Backs & Strengthens
In the Northern Hemisphere the surface wind ahead of an approaching warm front backs (shifts anticlockwise, typically from west or south-west towards south or south-east) and strengthens as the isobars pack closer together and pressure falls steadily. A veer occurs at the frontal passage itself, not ahead of it.
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