DGCA Meteorology: Tropical Systems & Cyclones Questions
51 exam-style Tropical Systems & Cyclones questions for the DGCA Meteorology paper (CPL · ATPL · PPL). The first 12 are free below with answers and explanations — sign up free to practise all of them with progress tracking.
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Q1
The movement of wind in relation to a cyclone is
- A Descending and subsiding
- B Ascending and converging
- C Descending and cooling
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Correct answer: B. Ascending and converging
In a cyclone, surface air spirals inward toward the low-pressure centre, converging and then ascending, which is why cyclonic circulations produce extensive cloud and precipitation.
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Q2
CS in Indian region are less intense because
- A They have a very short travel over the sea
- B Sea surface temp. are not high
- C India is close to Equator
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Correct answer: A. They have a very short travel over the sea
Cyclonic storms over the Indian seas have only a short travel over water before landfall, which limits the time available to draw energy from the sea, so they are generally less intense than typhoons or hurricanes with long ocean tracks.
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Q3
Wind speed in a tropical severe cyclone is:
- A 27 - 33 kt
- B 48 - 63 kt
- C 17 - 27 kt
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Correct answer: B. 48 - 63 kt
In the Indian classification, a severe cyclonic storm has associated wind speeds of 48 to 63 kt; 34 to 47 kt is a cyclonic storm and lower speeds correspond to depressions.
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Q4
Average life of a tropical cyclone in India is
- A 10 Days
- B 6-8 Days
- C 3-4 Days
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Correct answer: C. 3-4 Days
Tropical cyclones of the Indian seas have comparatively short lives, averaging about 3 to 4 days, because their sea travel is limited before they strike a coast and decay.
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Q5
The most dangerous area of a cyclone is:
- A The center (eye)
- B The eyewall
- C Outer bands
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Correct answer: B. The eyewall
The eyewall packs the strongest winds and worst weather, like tornadoes.
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Q6
Cyclonic storm across Tamil Nadu coast in:
- A Jul - Aug
- B Oct - Nov
- C Feb - May
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Correct answer: B. Oct - Nov
Cyclonic storms strike the Tamil Nadu coast mainly in October and November, when Bay of Bengal storms of the post-monsoon (northeast monsoon) season recurve toward the southern peninsula.
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Q7
What is the main energy source of a tropical revolving storm?
- A Cold air advancing from temperate latitudes.
- B Latent heat released from condensing water vapour.
- C Temperature difference between equatorial low pressure trough and subtropical high pressure belt.
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Correct answer: B. Latent heat released from condensing water vapour.
The main energy source of a tropical revolving storm is the latent heat released as water vapour, evaporated from the warm sea, condenses in deep convective cloud; this heating drives the pressure falls and violent circulation.
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Q8
What is the main energy source of a tropical revolving storm?
- A The equatorial jet stream.
- B Cold air advancing from temperate latitudes.
- C Latent heat released from condensing water vapour.
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Correct answer: C. Latent heat released from condensing water vapour.
A tropical revolving storm is powered by latent heat released when water vapour evaporated from the warm ocean condenses in towering convective cloud, sustaining the deep pressure fall and violent winds.
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Q9
Cyclonic storm across Tamil Nadu coast in:
- A Jul - Aug
- B Oct - Nov
- C Feb - May
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Correct answer: B. Oct - Nov
The Tamil Nadu coast is struck by cyclonic storms chiefly in October and November, the post-monsoon season when Bay of Bengal storms track or recurve toward the southern peninsula.
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Q10
Wind speed in a tropical severe cyclone is:
- A 27 - 33 kt
- B 48 - 63 kt
- C 17 - 27 kt
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 48 - 63 kt
A severe cyclonic storm has sustained winds of 48 to 63 kt; 28 to 33 kt corresponds to a deep depression and 34 to 47 kt to a cyclonic storm.
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Q11
Fronts are characteristics of:
- A Tropical cyclone
- B Extra - tropical depressions
- C Monsoon depressions
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Correct answer: B. Extra - tropical depressions
Fronts are a feature of extra-tropical depressions, which form on the boundary between contrasting air masses; tropical cyclones and monsoon depressions develop within a single warm, moist air mass and are non-frontal.
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Q12
In a mature tropical cyclone, the eye area is characterised by:
- A moderate winds and heavy rains
- B hurricane force winds and squalls
- C calm wind, little clouding and practically no rainfall
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Correct answer: C. calm wind, little clouding and practically no rainfall
The eye of a mature tropical cyclone is a region of calm or light winds, little cloud and practically no rainfall, produced by subsiding air at the centre; the violent winds and torrential rain lie in the surrounding eye wall.
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