Answers to Weather Quiz

Cue (NZERS), Issue 18, 28 February 1945, Page 33

Answers to Weather Quiz

1. True— The halo around the moon results from the presence of hi-h cirrus clouds, composed of minute snow crystals in the path of Hw moonlight. These clouds generally presage unsettled weather f * 2. False—The significant thing is not whether the barometer fe Inch or low, but whether it is rising or falling. A steadily, falling“taro meter even though it shows high pressure, almost invariably means bad weather approaching. y mcans 3. Fato-It is sleet that is frozen rain. Snow falls directly as snow from snow clouds, the flakes being formed by the condensation of moisture •at temperatures below freezing. 4. False— The heavier cold air creeps into the lowlands frequently brining temperatures 5 to 10 degrees below those on the hilltops 5. False— There is no basis in fact for this belief 6. True— the humidity is high, the air, already saturated with water, cannot absorb body perspiration. 7. True— Hail nover forms unless a thunder-storm is going on and the conditions producing such a storm are rare in winter. 'B. False— This is one of the commonest of mistaken weather beliefs. All records show that changes in barometric pressure which brings changes in the weather go on regardless of the state of the moon 9. True^ Scientists have never found two snowflakes exactly alike 10. False-;. Dew never falls, but forms where it is found. When moisture from warm air is deposited on something cold enough to condense it. dew is formed. 11. True Statistics indicate that during every instant an average- of 1,800 thunder-storms are bellowing over the earth. 12. False The extreme dryness of very colic! air renders likelihood of a heavy fall rather remote because of the lack of moisture to form thick snow clouds. But that is all there is to support this common belief. A two inch fall has been recorded while the thermometer registered 24 degrees below zero. 13. False— humid weather —a condition favouring thunder-storms likewise favours bacterial growth, which causes milk to sour. The , thunder-storm is entirely innocent. 14. 1 rue Static is caused'by weather disturbances. Because thunderstorms are so frequent in summer, the . annoying type of static caused by lightning is heard more often then. L>. True— The lunar rainbow was observed as far back as Aristotle. Generally speaking rainbows are formed by the passage of light rays through w;atcr drops. Moonlight, which is only reflected sunlight, ic serve the purpose, * ~L rue No records indicate anything to the contrary. C True When objects upon which dew is deposited are so cold that they IS 7’. ecze , the liquid deposit, frost is formed. • True Solitary trees are struck by lightning much more often than 19 P7 S iU a roup - 20 A red lsttoset presages clear dry weather. . True— -On cloudless nights, the earth loses its heat more rapidly and a heavier dew results. Such clear skies, which make for a heavy dew, likewise mean no immediate rain. Similarly, heavy frosts are generally followed by fine, clear weather.