Violent Storms

THUNDERSTORMS

• FORM IN WARM,MOIST UNSTABLE AIR.• CUMULONIMBUS CLOUDS.• ATTAIN HEIGHTS OF 20 KM.• TORRENTIAL RAIN,DAMAGING WINDS,

LIGHTNING, THUNDER, HAIL & TORNADOES.

• OCCUR IN AFTERNOON- AIR UNSTABLE

THUNDERSTORMS

• OCCUR IN AFTERNOON- SURFACE WARMING CAUSES AIR TO BECOME UNSTABLE.• CAN RESULT IN DESTRUCTIVE

WEATHER INCLUDING TORNADOES.

LIGHTNING

• ALL THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE LIGHTNING.• DISCHARGE OF ELECTRICITY

FROM THUNDERCLOUD TO GROUND, ANOTHER CLOUD OR WITHIN THE CLOUD ITSELF.

THUNDER

• Thunder is the sound caused by lightning. Depending on the distance and nature of the lightning, thunder can range from a sharp, loud crack to a long, low rumble.

• The sudden increase in pressure and temperature from lightning produces rapidexpansion of the air surrounding and within a bolt of lightning.

• . In turn, this expansion of air creates a sonic shock wave, similar to a sonic boom, which produces the sound of thunder, often referred to as a clap, crack, or peal of thunder.

TORNADOES

• VIOLENTLY ROTATING COLUMN OF AIR THAT TOUCHES THE GROUND.

• APPEARS AS VORTEX OR FUNEL SHAPED CLOUD OF FLYING DEBRIS

• MEASURED USING FUJITA SCALE.

HURRICANES

• LARGE ROTATING STORM OF TROPICAL ORIGIN THAT HAS SUSTAINED WINDS OF AT LEAST 119 KM PER HOUR.• DEVELOP OVER WARM WATER,

FUELED BY THE HEAT WATER RELEASES DURING CONDENSATION.