Public 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. What feature(s) may resemble a funnel cloud?
rain shaft
hanging wall cloud
hail shaft
a and b

2. What are the criteria for a blizzard?
winds 35 mph or greater
winds 25 mph or greater
visibility less than or equal to 1/4 mile
visibility less than or equal to 1/2 mile
a and c
b and d

3. What are the criteria for a Heavy Snow Warning in most zones?
6 in. in 12 hrs
12 inches in 12 hrs
12 inches in 24 hrs

4. When measuring snowfall accumulation you should:
measure on a flat, metal surface away from drifts
clear off the snowboard after each measurement
measure in hundredths of an inch
all of the above
a and b

5. You look out a window and you see recent rainfall has caused water levels to rise enough to cover the street. Do you:
send in a spotter report immediately
wait a couple of days and then send in a spotter report
not send in a spotter report because the WFO must know about the flooding already

6. What is the name of the wind estimation scale?
Beaumont scale
Beaufort scale
Buford scale

7. If you are away from home (but still in Alaska), and you witness a weather phenomenon that meets reporting criteria, you should report it as soon as possible:
True
False

8. When estimating hail size, what common object should not be used?
penny
quarter
pea
marble

9. Spotter reports can be submitted to:
WSOs
WFOs
a and b

10. Visibility restrictions reach advisory criteria in most scenarios (blowing snow, dense fog, etc.) at what level?
3/4 mile
1/4 mile
1/2 mile

11. When estimating thunderstorm distance, every five seconds between seeing the lightning flash and hearing thunder corresponds to:
1 mile
2 miles
5 miles

12. Rain in a rain gauge is measured in hundredths of an inch.
True
False

13. In Interior Alaska, wind speeds of ________ can push over shallow rooted trees.
25 - 31 mph
32 - 38 mph
39 - 54 mph

14. A weather Watch means:
Conditions are favorable for a significant event threatening life or property to occur
A significant event threatening life or property is imminent or occurring now

15. This product may be issued when significant weather is expected across a broad area, or when the event is too far in the future to be forecast with a lot of confidence, but looks like it has the potential to be significant:
Warning Statement
Short Term Forecast
Special Weather Statement