Severe Weather and Natural Hazards

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Air Mass Noun

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[air mas]

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Air Mass

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An immense body of air characterized by similar temperatures and amounts of moisture at any given altitude.

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Example: This map shows different types of air masses, large bodies of air with similar temperature and moisture, and their source regions in North America.

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Natural Hazard Noun

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[nach-uh-ruhl haz-erd]

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Natural Hazard

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An environmental phenomenon that has the potential to impact societies and the human environment, possibly causing harm or damage.

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Example: A natural event, like a volcanic eruption, becomes a natural hazard when it occurs near human settlements and has the potential to cause harm.

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Natural Disaster Noun

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[nach-uh-ruhl dih-zas-ter]

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Natural Disaster

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The event that occurs when a natural hazard causes significant damage to a community, exceeding its ability to cope.

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Example: This image shows a town street submerged by floodwaters, a clear and powerful example of a natural disaster caused by severe weather.

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Manmade Hazard Noun

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[man-meyd haz-erd]

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Manmade Hazard

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A type of hazard that originates from human actions, technological failures, or societal structures rather than natural processes.

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Example: Industrial factories release pollutants like smoke and chemicals into the air, which is a hazard to the environment and human health created by people.

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Hurricane Noun

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[hur-i-keyn]

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Hurricane

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A large, rotating storm with high-speed winds that forms over warm waters in tropical and subtropical areas.

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Example: This diagram shows a hurricane's cross-section, illustrating how warm, moist air rises from the ocean, creating a low-pressure system with a calm central eye.

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Storm Surge Noun

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[storm surj]

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Storm Surge

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An abnormal rise of sea level generated by a storm's winds, over and above the predicted astronomical tides.

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Example: Strong storm winds push ocean water towards the coast, causing an abnormal rise in sea level called a storm surge, which floods coastal areas.

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Storm Tide Noun

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[storm tahyd]

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Storm Tide

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The total water level during a storm, which is the combination of the storm surge and the normal astronomical tide.

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Example: This diagram shows that storm tide is the total water level during a storm, which is the sum of the normal predicted tide and the extra storm surge.

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Rip Current Noun

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[rip kur-uhnt]

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Rip Current

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A strong, narrow channel of water moving rapidly away from the shore, often associated with coastal storms.

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Example: This diagram shows a rip current pulling away from the shore and illustrates the safe escape path, which is to swim parallel to the beach.

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Tornado Noun

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[tawr-ney-doh]

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Tornado

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A violently rotating column of air that is in contact with both the Earth's surface and a cloud.

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Example: This diagram shows how a tornado forms from a storm cloud, with arrows indicating the rotating column of air that extends to the ground.

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Inland Flooding Noun

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[in-land fluhd-ing]

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Inland Flooding

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The inundation of land far from the coast, typically caused by prolonged or heavy rainfall from a large storm system.

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Example: This image shows a residential area far from the coast submerged by water, illustrating the widespread and destructive nature of inland flooding.