Marine Weather Spotter Exam

Please note that this exam is meant for people in the Anchorage forecast area only.

First, what address should we send your spotter certificate to? Your phone number will be used in case we need to contact you if there is severe weather in your area.

Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zipcode:
Phone:
Email:

1. Which location no longer has a WSO?
Valdez
Kodiak
St. Paul
Homer

2. A "small craft advisory" is defined as:
35 kt winds and/or 8 ft seas
35 kt winds and/or 6 ft seas
25 kt winds and/or 8 ft seas
25 kt winds and/or 6 ft seas

3. When reporting hail size what object corresponds to minimum "severe" hail (3/4")?
quarter
pea
penny
marble

4. What product is issued to indicate the presence of potentially severe weather in a coastal marine area?
Special Marine Warning
Special Marine Statement
Severe Marine Warning
Severe Marine Statement

5. Air temperatures of 26 degrees F or below and sustained winds greater than 18 kts produce what type of icing?
Freezing Spray
Heavy Freezing Spray
Rime Icing

6. What is the only marine wind advisory or warning that can be issued based on expected sustained winds or on frequent gusts?
Small Craft Advisory
Gale Warning
Storm Warning
Hurricane Force Wind Warning

7. Your boat is located in a small channeled area along the coast. Winds are gale force and seas are 15 ft. The forecast for your area calls for a small craft advisory with 8 ft seas. Do you:
Report the conditions because they are different than the forecast.
Not report the conditions because forecasts are only representative of the highest 1/3 of an area.
Not report the conditions because the WFO forecaster must already be aware of these "gap" winds.

8. In Alaskan waters ________ of all ship icing is caused by spray generated by high winds.
60%
70%
80%
90%

9. Which type of fog tends to last longer?
upslope fog
advection fog
radiation fog

10. Thunderstorms are fairly common over Alaskan coastal areas from June - October. You are experiencing wind gusts to 65 mph, pea size hail, and excessive lightning. There is no active warning for your area. Should you call in a spotter report?
No, this storm does not meet severe thunderstorm criteria.
No, the forecasters obviously didn't think the storm was severe. They must have analyzed it on radar and seen the lightning through the lightning detection network.
Yes, this storm meets severe criteria.
Yes. Any thunderstorm should be reported.
a and b
c and d