Understanding Thunderstorms and Tornadoes

Front

What is a thunderstorm?

Back

A thunderstorm is a rain-bearing cloud that also produces lightning and thunder. It is characterized by strong winds, heavy rain, and sometimes hail.

Front

What causes lightning?

Back

Lightning is caused by the buildup of electrical charges in clouds. When the charge becomes strong enough, it discharges as a bolt of lightning.

Front

What is hail?

Back

Hail is a form of precipitation that consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice. It forms in strong thunderstorms with intense updrafts.

Front

What is the difference between a severe weather watch and a warning?

Back

A severe weather watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather, while a warning means severe weather is occurring or imminent.

Front

What are the main hazards associated with thunderstorms?

Back

The main hazards include lightning, heavy rain, hail, strong winds, and flash flooding.

Front

How does hail form?

Back

Hail forms when updrafts in a thunderstorm carry water droplets upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere, where they freeze into ice.

Front

What is the sound produced by lightning called?

Back

The sound produced by lightning is called thunder.

Front

What is cloud-to-ground lightning?

Back

Cloud-to-ground lightning is a type of lightning that occurs between a cloud and the ground, and it is the most dangerous type to humans.

Front

What is a severe thunderstorm?

Back

A severe thunderstorm is defined as a storm that produces hail 1 inch in diameter or larger, winds of 58 mph or greater, or a tornado.

Front

What is the role of updrafts in thunderstorms?

Back

Updrafts are rising air currents that help to develop thunderstorms by lifting warm, moist air into the atmosphere.