MPR Goes to the 2003 Minnesota State Fair

MPR Midday
State Fair Weather Quiz
2003 Edition

On Thursday, August 21, University of Minnesota Meteorologist and Climatologist Mark Seeley appears on Midday with Gary Eichten, answering questions about the weather and presenting this annual "weather quiz." What's your knowledge of Minnesota weather? Take the quiz to find out. Read more about the weather from the Minnesota DNR.

What type of cloud forms a "thunderhead", producing lightning, heavy rain, and sometimes hail?
A. Cirrus
B. Cumulonimbus
C. Stratus
What important plant nutrient is released by lightning?
A. Phosphorus
B. Sulphur
C. Nitrogen
What is a "cockeyed bob"?
A. an overworked severe weather meteorologist
B. a type of hail stone
C. a squall in NW Australia
Complete the following: "If there is a white halo around the sun or the moon, it will _______ soon."
A. Rain
B. Frost
C. Snow
The Earth may be darkened during normal daylight hours by
A. a solar eclipse
B. a solar flare
C. a lunar eclipse
The shape of a snowflake prmarily depends on
A. how windy it is
B. the temperature of the air
C. if it is night or day
What type of weather greeted central Minnesota residents on Groundhog Day this year (Feb 2)?
A. Fog
B. A bright, sunny, warm day
C. A winter storm, with up to 11 inches of snow
On March 6th of this year, what were conditions like on Lake Superior?
A. Massive waves due to a winter storm
B. The lake was nearly completely ice covered (a rarity)
C. Unusally warm water temperatures
On average what is the snowiest month in the Twin Cities, and what was the snowiest month last winter?
A. January and March
B. December and February
C. February and November
In the Twin Cities climate record, which three months show all-time snowfall records of 40 inches or greater?
A. January, February, and March
B. November, January, and March
C. December, January, and February
Which month shows the highest frequency for freezing rain in the Twin Cities area?
A. November
B. March
C. December
What is "frigophobia?"
A. a fear of snow
B. a fear of hail
C. a fear of cold
Minnesota reported more tornadoes than Oklahoma last year.
A. True
B. False
On April 9th this year, Benson, Minnesota was more desert-like than Tucson, Arizona.
A. True
B. False
How many days did Minnesota report the coldest temperature in the 48 contiguous states (excluding Alaska) last winter?
A. 29
B. 17
C. 3
On average, how many hail reports are filed in Minnesota each year?
A. less than ten
B. 40 to 60
C. 120 to 140
What is the Camelot Climate Index used for?
A. to evaluate the frequency of fog
B. to determine climate suitability for human habitation
C. to forecast UV radiation
How much rain did Alexandria, MN get in June this year?
A. 10 inches
B. none
C. 5 inches
What was the Heat Index in Rush City, MN on July 26th this year?
A. 95 F
B. 105 F
C. 115 F
Occasionally, northern Minnesota lakes are still frozen over for the Fishing Opener (2nd weekend of May). When was the last time this happened?
A. 1988
B. 1955
C. 1996
How many volunteer observers report daily precipitation in Minnesota?
A. 150
B. 1400
C. 600
Which months produced the largest swings in temperature above and below normal this year?
A. February and July
B. January and March
C. May and August
What two Minnesota communities share the all-time highest temperature record for the state?
A. Browns Valley and Redwood Falls
B. Beardsley and Moorhead
C. Montevideo and Granite Falls
On July 4, 1966 the largest hailstone ever found in Minnesota was collected at Detroit Lakes. What was its circumference?
A. 4 inches
B. 8 inches
C. 12 inches
Out of over 1400 documented Minnesota tornadoes (1820-2003), how many have been classified as F5 (wind speeds greater than 261 mph)?
A. seven
B. fifteen
C. thirty-two

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