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Tornadoes, Thunderstorms, and Hurricanes

Total questions: 40

Worksheet time: 23mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

A tornado watch means that tornadoes are

a)

in the immediate area

b)

on the ground

c)

likely to occur

d)

possible

2.

A tornado warning means that a tornado is

a)

in your state

b)

likely to occur

c)

on the ground

d)

possible

3.

NWS stands for

a)

National Weather Stations

b)

Natural Weather Service

c)

National Weather Service

d)

Naval Weather Station

4.

How do you know that a threatening weather system is approaching?

a)

Cell phone, computer, television, radio

b)

Emergency Alert Sirens

c)

Satellite Radar

d)

NWS weather broadcaster

5.

This is a disturbance in the atmosphere that is characterized by lightning and thunder.

a)

Tornado

b)

Hurricane

c)

Thunderstorm

d)

None of these

6.

These clouds are capable of producing severe weather.

a)

Cumulus

b)

Nimbus

c)

Cumulonimbus

d)

Stratus

7.

If the temperature in part of a thundercloud falls below freezing and winds are strong, the raindrops in the storm can develop into which of the following?

a)

Snow

b)

Sleet

c)

Rain

d)

Hail

8.

At any given moment, there are an estimated ________________________ thunderstorms occurring on Earth.

a)

100-200

b)

300-500

c)

1500-2000

d)

2500-3500

9.

How is thunder produced?

a)

By the expanding of air molecules as an electric current passes through the air

b)

By the expanding of air molecules at wind gusts pass through the air

c)

By the collision of two or more air masses

d)

By the collision or two or more fronts

10.

When do the majority of thunderstorms occur?

a)

Fall

b)

Winter

c)

Early morning hours

d)

Spring/summer

11.

How do tornadoes form?

a)

it forms when moist, warm air meets cool, dry air head on.

b)

it forms when cool, moist air meets warm, dry air head on.

c)

it forms when a warm front and a cold front meet.

d)

it forms when two air masses collide.

12.

Tornadoes can stand nearly still

a)

True

b)

False

13.

It is possible to predict the exact path of a tornado.

a)

True

b)

False

14.

The average tornado travels at what speed?

a)

5-10 mph

b)

10-20 mph

c)

60 + mph

d)

70+ mph

15.

The diameter of most tornadoes is approximately

a)

5 miles wide

b)

3 miles wide

c)

10 miles wide

d)

<1 mile wide

16.

What percentage of tornadoes occur in the United States of America?

a)

25 %

b)

50 %

c)

60 %

d)

75 %

17.

Most tornadoes in the United States occur in which states

a)

Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana

b)

Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin

c)

Kansas, Wyoming and Utah

d)

Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma

18.

A tornado can join another tornado

a)

True

b)

False

19.

A hurricane can spawn a tornado

a)

True

b)

False

20.

A tornado can spawn a hurricane

a)

True

b)

False

21.

Tornadoes can travel over 100 mph

a)

True

b)

False

22.

Tornadoes are measured using which two criteria?

a)

Wind speed - Storm Surge

b)

Storm Surge - Damage

c)

Wind speed - Diameter of funnel

d)

Wind speed - Damage

23.

How do scientists calculate the distance of a thunderstorm?

a)

The difference between the storm system and the rain

b)

The difference between the winds and the rain

c)

The time difference between the thunder and the lightning

d)

The time difference between the lightning and the hail

24.

Dixie Alley has more tornadoes than any other part of the United States.

a)

True

b)

False

25.

What is the vortex of a tornado?

a)

An area that contains water

b)

Debris

c)

Fujita

d)

Swirling Winds

26.

Who created the Scale used to measure the intensity of tornadoes?

a)

Ted Fajita

b)

Saffir-Simpson

c)

Saffir Fujita

d)

Ted Fujita

27.

What is the name of the scale that we use to measure the strength of tornadoes?

a)

Fujita Scale

b)

Saffir-Simpson Scale

c)

Enhanced Fujita Scale

d)

Enhanced Saffir-Simpson Scale

28.

Name the Scale Rating based on the following information:

wind speeds over 200 mph - destruction of even well-constructed buildings.

a)

EF0

b)

EF2

c)

EF3

d)

EF5

29.

Hurricanes go by which of the following names:

a)

Cyclone, Storm Surge

b)

Storm Surge, Tropical Storm

c)

Tropical Storm, Tornado

d)

Cyclone, Typhoon

30.

Where do hurricanes begin?

a)

Pacific Ocean

b)

Indian Ocean

c)

Atlantic Ocean

d)

Gulf of Mexico

31.

Scientists start monitoring for the possibility of a hurricane when they detect

a)

Cyclones

b)

Typhoons

c)

Tropical Storms

d)

Tornadoes

32.

Which scale do we use to measure the strength of Hurricanes?

a)

Fujita Scale

b)

Saffir-Simpson Scale

c)

Enhanced Fujita Scale

d)

Enhanced Saffir-Simpson Scale

33.

What happens to a water spout when it hits land?

a)

It becomes stronger

b)

it becomes weaker

c)

we call it a twister

d)

we call it a tornado

34.

What is another name for a water spout?

a)

Cyclone

b)

Hurricane

c)

Tornado

d)

Typhoon

35.

How long does the average hurricane last?

a)

5-10 minutes

b)

10-20 hours

c)

1-2 days

d)

several days

36.

What is the most dangerous part of a hurricane?

a)

Wind Speed

b)

Wind Shear

c)

Size

d)

Storm Surge

37.

What do we call the type of scientists who study tornadoes and hurricanes?

a)

Emergency Management Enforcement

b)

Weather Responders

c)

Storm Chasers

d)

Meteorologists

38.

What is debris?

a)

A wall of water that causes flooding

b)

Bacteria that is found in water

c)

Building materials and garbage

d)

Metal

39.

During the tornado in a bottle lab, we observed which of the following?

a)

Hurricane

b)

Typhoon

c)

Eye

d)

Vortex

40.

Where is the safest place to go for shelter during a tornado?

a)

Under your bed

b)

In the basement by a window

c)

In your kitchen

d)

In the basement under the stairs