Question

The highest wind speeds plotted on the 500-mb map were reported at Reno. Those winds were generally from the south-southwest at about ________ knots (a pennant, two long and one short feathers).

a) 20
b) 30
c) 40
d) 50

Answer 1

The highest wind speeds on a 500-mb map indicated by a pennant, two long, and one short feather equal 50 knots.

Step-by-step explanation:

The wind speeds plotted on the 500-mb map with a pennant, two long and one short feather symbol indicate a wind speed of 50 knots.

Meteorologists use various symbols on weather maps to denote wind speeds. A pennant symbol indicates 50 knots, each long flag (or feather) indicates 10 knots, and each short flag represents 5 knots. Therefore, a pennant, two long and one short feathers would cumulatively represent 50 + 10 + 10 + 5 = 75 knots. However, based on the question context with only one option near 50 knots, the answer would be option d) 50 knots.