Severe Weather - Thunderstorms

Severe Weather - Thunderstorms

Do you know what causes a thunderstorm?

THUNDERSTORMS

• A form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning & its acoustic effect - THUNDER

• Cumulonimbus clouds form

• Usually have strong winds, heavy rain, snow and hail

• 2,000 thunderstorms are happening on Mother Earth right now!

• 45,000 thunderstorms per day!

• About 100 lightning strikes on Earth each second!

Multiple Choice

About how many thunderstorms happen total everyday?

• 200

• 2300

• 1800

• 384

Multiple Choice

Thunderstorms always have to have lightning.

• False

• True

Multiple Choice

The most thunderstorms per year occur in which state?

• Montana
• Florida
• Texas
• Virginia

What Causes a Thunderstorm?

• Moisture

• Unstable Air

• Lift

Multiple Choice

Thunderstorm clouds are called - 

• Cirrus
• Stratus
• Cumulus
• Cumulonimbus

Multiple Choice

What process forms cumulonimbus clouds?

• Conduction

• Convection current going upwards

• Radiation

• Precipitation

Multiple Choice

What causes storm clouds to develop?

• Dry air rising & cooling

• Humid air rising & cooling

• Dry air descending & warming

• Humid air descending & warming

Multiple Choice

What kind of air rises, then cools & condenses to make cumulonimbus clouds ?

• Warm, humid air

• Cold, humid air

• Warm, dry air

• Cold, dry air

Multiple Choice

What happens during the cumulus stage of a thunderstorm?

• The storm begins to break up
• The storm creates lightning thunder and heavy rain
• The cool air rises and stratus clouds build
• The warm air rises and cumulus clouds build

Multiple Choice

What happens during the mature stage of a thunderstorm?

• The storm begins to break up
• The storm creates lightning thunder and heavy rain
• The cool air rises and stratus clouds build
• The warm air rises and cumulus clouds build

Multiple Choice

What happens during the dissipating stage of a thunderstorm?

• The storm begins to break up
• The storm creates lightning thunder and heavy rain
• The cool air rises and stratus clouds build
• The warm air rises and cumulus clouds build

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT a condition that must be present to create a thunderstorm?

• Air must be full of moisture
• Warm air must rise quickly and continue to rise
• Lightning has to set something on fire
• The air in the cloud must stay warmer than the air around it

Multiple Choice

Which two conditions must be present for a thunderstorm to be considered severe?

• Winds 58mph or stronger and hail at least 1 inch around

• 100 lightning flashes per minute and high winds

• Loud thunder and lots of lightning

• Lots of rain and wind

Multiple Choice

Which tool measures wind speed?

• wind vane

• wind sock

• anemometer

Multiple Choice

Can tornadoes also occur during a severe thunderstorm?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

This is the large electrical discharge during a thunderstorm, caused by static electricity.

• thunder
• lightning
• storm surge
• The Flash

Multiple Choice

What is the best reason to stay away from metal objects during a thunderstorm?

• Metal can be destroyed by thunder

• Metal is a good conductor of electricity

• Metal rusts when it rains

• Metal heats up easily

Multiple Choice

Which is the safest place to be during a thunderstorm?

Multiple Choice

In the phrase, "The return stroke illuminated the night," what is the best synonym for "illuminated?"

• Light up

• Soaked

• Roared through

• Destroyed

Multiple Choice

Thunder is the sound of

• Lightning hitting the ground

• Water molecules colliding inside clouds

• Electricity traveling through the air

• Heated air expanding rapidly

Multiple Choice

When lightening heats the air around it, and the air expands quickly, what does this cause?

• Thunder
• Wind
• Precipitation
• Evaporation

Multiple Choice

What type of clouds do you see when there is severe weather coming?

• cumulus
• stratus
• cumulonimbus
• cirrus

Multiple Choice

Which type of severe event is most likely to occur when a cold front slams into warm, moist air?

• Blizzard

• Hurricane

• Tornado

• Drought