Eavey's Tornadoes & Hurricanes II

Front

What are air masses?

Back

Large bodies of air that have uniform temperature and humidity characteristics.

Front

What is the Coriolis Effect?

Back

The phenomenon that causes winds to spin in a hurricane due to the Earth's rotation.

Front

What happens when barometric pressure is low?

Back

The sky may have dark clouds, there may be precipitation, and some people may experience headaches and have less energy.

Front

What is a tornado?

Back

A rapidly rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground.

Front

What is the typical width of a tornado?

Back

Most tornadoes are typically 400-500 feet wide.

Front

What is a safe place to go during a tornado warning?

Back

In a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor.

Front

What is the main difference between tornadoes and hurricanes?

Back

Tornadoes are smaller and form from thunderstorms, while hurricanes are larger and form over warm ocean waters.

Front

What are the wind speeds of typical tornadoes?

Back

Tornado winds can range from 40 to over 300 miles per hour.

Front

What is hail?

Back

Ice pellets that form in thunderstorms when updrafts carry water droplets into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere.

Front

What is the role of moisture in storm formation?

Back

Moisture in the air can lead to cloud formation and precipitation, which are essential for storm development.