Communications Directorate

The 1999 Great Canadian Weather Quiz

 1.    In the summer of 1998, an ozone research balloon gained media  attention by:

1. collecting vital data on ozone depletion
2. setting sail across the ocean and landing in Finland
3. being shot at by two Canadian CF-18 jets
4. all of the above

2.    Which day of the week do the biggest snowfalls occur in Winnipeg? This day has twice the number of occurrences of heavy snowfalls (greater than 10 cm) than any other:

1. Saturday
2. Monday
3. Tuesday
4. Friday
5. Sunday

3.    In a recent survey of their views on the environment, residents of which city were more likely to favour limiting car use?

1. Montreal
2. Toronto
3. Winnipeg
4. Halifax
5. Vancouver

4.    What is La Niña?

1. a new dance
2. an extensive cooling of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean
3. a cold wind in January
4. a gourmet food
5. a warm wind in January

5.    Which of the following is the snowiest major city in Canada?

1. Winnipeg
2. Moncton
3. St. John’s
4. Montreal
5. Quebec City

6.    Smog is a serious air quality problem in Canada which may cause respiratory problems. Smog is particularly bad on:

1. clear, cold winter days
2. warm, cloudy spring days
3. hot, sunny summer days
4. rainy, windy autumn days

7.    Residents of which province are least likely to report personal problems brought on by weather:

1. Ontario
2. Quebec
3. Newfoundland
4. British Columbia
5. Saskatchewan

8.    What province is a member of the "60 below club"?

1. Saskatchewan
2. British Columbia
3. Manitoba
4. Newfoundland and Labrador
5. Alberta

9.    You are more likely to be:

1. infected by flesh-eating bacteria
2. struck by lightning
3. eaten by a shark
4. seriously injured by a falling hailstone
5. injured by a toilet seat

10.    A weather watch is:

1. a tall chair for meteorologists so they can see out the window
2. a tool for meteorologists to read the time
3. the same thing as a tornado warning
4. an observation by Environment Canada which means that conditions are favorable for a severe storm, even though one has not yet developed

11.    Acid rain has serious effects on soil and water quality, damaging food crops and killing fish. Which of the following provinces suffers most from acid rain problems:

1. British Columbia
2. Saskatchewan
3. Ontario
4. Newfoundland

12.    As a rule, when Environment Canada issues a tornado warning, radio stations broadcast it immediately. When you hear it, what should you do?

1. continue your normal activities
2. take cover immediately
3. get in your car and start driving
4. go to the basement, if possible
5. answers b and d

13.    Averaged over all of Canada what is the driest season?

1. winter
2. spring
3. summer
4. fall
5. no real difference

14.    Which of the following is the foggiest province in Canada?

1. Ontario
2. British Columbia
3. Manitoba
4. Newfoundland
5. Saskatchewan

15.    What is a snirt?

1. dirty snow that flies off dusty prairie fields
2. a strong wind that blows across a glacier
3. Nova Scotian term for smog
4. earthy odour emitted by minerals prior to rain
5. fog drifting over the Grand Banks

Answers

1. d) all of the above

2. b) Monday

3. e) Vancouver

4. b)  an extensive cooling of the central and easter Pacific Ocean

5. b) Moncton

6. c) hot, sunny summer days

7. b) Quebec

8. e) Alberta

9. a) infected by flesh-eating bacteria

10.   d)  an observation by Environment Canada which means that conditions are favorable for a severe storm, even though one has not yet developed

11. c) Ontario

12. e) answers b) and d)

13. b) Spring

14. d) Newfoundland

15. a) dirty snow that flies off dusty prairie fields

 

How did you score?

Scoring 0-5

You’re a weather wimp. Don’t go around criticizing weather forecasters! You need help…better take time to watch the weather and you’ll be surprised at what you can learn.

Scoring 6-10

Good! You’re a weather wit. You show great potential but there’s still room for improvement.

Scoring 11-15

Excellent. You’re a weather wizard! You really know your weather trivia.

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