Thunderstorms
Signs of a thunderstorm at day and night include a mature cumulonimbus cloud, a sudden reversal of wind direction, an increase in wind speed, and a sudden drop in temperature. Thunderstorms can bring heavy rains, lightning, thunder, hail, tornadoes, and strong, gusty winds.
Signs of a Thunderstorm
The signs of a thunderstorm include a mature cumulonimbus cloud, a sudden reversal of wind direction, an increase in wind speed, and a sudden drop in temperature. Thunderstorms bring heavy rains, lightning, thunder, hail, tornadoes, and strong, gusty winds.
Thunderstorm Safety Tips
During a thunderstorm, it is important to seek shelter indoors, away from windows, and to unplug electronic devices to avoid damage from lightning strikes.
Tornadoes
A tornado is a destructive atmospheric event characterized by a counterclockwise column of rotating air extending from a cumulonimbus cloud. Tornadoes are rated by wind speed, with the strongest tornadoes reaching speeds of up to 300 miles per hour.
Characteristics of a Tornado
Tornadoes typically occur between 3 and 7 pm, travel about 4 miles, are 300-400 meters wide, travel at speeds of 25-40 miles per hour, and produce extremely low pressure. They are often dark due to the debris picked up.
Lightning Storm
A lightning storm occurs when a cumulonimbus cloud becomes electrically charged and the ground below has an opposite charge. Lightning can flow from cloud to ground, cloud to cloud, and from ground to cloud.
Signs and Symptoms of Lightning
Bright light is caused by glowing air molecules heated by the current. Lightning follows the path of least resistance, and a lightning rod can offer lightning an easy, safe path to the ground.
Tropical Cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over warm ocean waters and has low pressure at its center. Tropical cyclones are rated by wind speed and can last for several days or even weeks.
Air Temperature
Air temperature is a measure of heat or how fast molecules are moving. It is always warmest near the equator and coldest at the poles. Air temperature is typically measured using the Celsius scale.
Air Pressure
Air pressure is the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on the Earth and is greatest at sea level. Barometers are the instruments used to measure air pressure, with some barometers using a simple mercury tube.
Wind
Wind is the movement of air caused by differences in air pressure. It can bring warm, dry winds like the Chinook, cold ocean currents, and can affect the temperature of the land it passes by.
Weather vs Climate
Weather refers to short-term changes in the atmosphere, while climate refers to long-term changes. Weather is caused by the interaction of air, water, and heat from the Sun.
Meteorology
Meteorology is the science of observing and predicting the weather, including factors like air temperature, air pressure, wind, and precipitation.
In conclusion, there are various types of storms in the world, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning storms, and tropical cyclones. Each type of storm has its own set of characteristics, signs, and safety tips. Understanding these types of storms and their impact is essential for staying safe during extreme weather events.
