Severe Storms

What is a thunderstorm?

• A storm that only occurs during the summer months.

• A storm that generates lightning and thunder.

• A storm with light rain and no wind.

• A storm that can only occur near oceans.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What are the stages in the development of a thunderstorm?

• Cumulus stage, mature stage, dissipating stage

• Initial stage, growth stage, final stage

• Beginning stage, middle stage, ending stage

• Start stage, development stage, conclusion stage

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What typically happens during the dissipating stage of a thunderstorm?

• Heavy rain and strong winds occur.

• The storm intensifies and covers a larger area.

• Cooling effect causes precipitation to fall and the storm to die down.

• New warm air rises and forms more clouds.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Which environment is necessary for the development of a thunderstorm?

• Cold, dry air

• Warm, humid, unstable air

• Hot, dry, stable air

• Cool, moist, stable air

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

What is the typical form of a tornado?

• A rotating column of air called a vortex

• A static column of air

• A horizontal stream of air

• A rapidly descending air mass

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

How do smaller vortexes within a tornado behave compared to the main funnel?

• They rotate more slowly

• They have larger diameters

• They rotate very rapidly

• They cause more damage

During which months is the frequency of tornadoes the highest in the United States?

• December and January

• April through June

• July and August

• September and October

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What meteorological feature is closely associated with the development of most tornadoes?

• A mesocyclone

• A high-pressure system

• A hurricane

• An anticyclone

What does the formation of a mesocyclone indicate about the potential for a tornado to occur?

• It guarantees a tornado will follow

• It does not necessarily mean a tornado will follow

• It decreases the chance of a tornado

• It only occurs after a tornado has formed

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What scale is used to estimate tornado intensity?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2