Severe Weather Notes

Question 1

Lightning happens when

Answer 1

An electric discharge that takes place between positively charged area and a negatively charged area

Question 2

Thunder is the sound caused by

Answer 2

Rapid expansion of air along the lightning strike

Question 3

What percent of tornadoes happen in the US? what percent of thunderstorms become tornadoes

Answer 3

75%;1%

Question 4

How long are tornadoes and what is the average wind speed and the spinning wind speed

Answer 4

Length: 8km long 10-60m wide
Wind speed120-180km/hr
Spinning winds up to 500 km/hr

Question 5

Hurricane wind speed

Answer 5

At least 110 km/hr

Question 6

Names for hurricanes in the western pacific and Indian Ocean

Answer 6

Western pacific: typhoon

Indian Ocean:cyclone

Question 7

Diameter of a hurricane

Answer 7

160-1500 km

Question 8

How do hurricanes form

Answer 8

Begins as thunderstorms, winds split in different directions,energy is obtained from condensation of water vapor, once it hits warm ocean water, condensation fuels the hurricane

Question 9

Strongest part of the hurricane and the wind speeds

Answer 9

Eye wall

Winds up to 300 km/hr

Question 10

The names of hurricanes are assigned in advance for a ________ year cycle

Answer 10

6

Question 11

Storm surge height

Answer 11

8 m high, 65-160 km long

Question 12

The storm surge has its greatest highly right before it crashes into the

Answer 12

Shore

Question 13

Thunderstorms are caused when

Answer 13

Warm, moist air rises