Weather Things: Thunderstorm Ingredients

Thunderstorms are visually striking and can be dangerous. They form from cumulonimbus clouds and involve electrical activity, gust fronts, and turbulence. Key ingredients for their formation include moisture, instability, and a lifting mechanism. Thunderstorms can occur in winter, producing thunder snow. They pose hazards to aviation and transportation due to lightning, hail, and strong winds. Severe thunderstorms are classified by wind speeds over 57 mph and may include hail and tornadoes. Warnings and watches are issued to alert the public. Thunderstorms can produce downbursts, causing straight-line winds similar to tornadoes.

What are the potential hazards associated with severe thunderstorms?

What happens to the air when a thunderstorm dissipates?

Describe the difference between a downburst and a microburst.