storms Flashcards

1
Q

types of lightning

A

intracloud & cloud-to-ground

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

positive v negative strikes

A

positive strikes more dangerous, negative strikes more common

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

how lightning forms

A

leaders descend from clouds and connect with a ground leader

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

parts of a storm system

A

anvil at top, cloud base at bottom
updraft, striations, wall cloud, mammatus cloud

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

where is solar energy absorbed

A

thermosphere and mesosphere (top & middle)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

life cycle of storm

A

cumulus stage -> mature stage -> dissipating stage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

types of storms

A

supercells, multicells
mesocyclones only found in supercells
types of supercells: low precip, classic, high precip

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

squall line

A

a line of tstorms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

downburst

A

cold air sinking, invisible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

updraft

A

warm air rising

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

gust front

A

downburst hitting ground, spreads out in straight lines

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

explain how humidity and saturation relate to tstorms

A

as moist air rises, it cools down and can no longer hold the moisture, so it condenses and falls

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

where do tornadoes form

A

underneath a warm updraft, made visible by water droplets and dust & debris from ground
form on SW flank of storm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

description of enhanced fujita scale

A

EF0: shingles fallen
EF1: windows broken
EF2: roof torn off
EF3: stories collapsed
EF4: house torn off foundation
EF5: house completely destroyed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

where to hide during tornado

A

in a basement or ditch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

where do most tornadoes occur

A

north america, specifcally midwest and ontario

17
Q

tornado watch vs tornado warning

A

watch: chance tornado will occur
warning: tornado is imminent

18
Q

how are storms fueled?

A

warm, humid air ~ latent heat is removed and converted to storm energy

19
Q

buoyancy force causes

A

updrafts & downdrafts

20
Q

presssure-gradient force causes

A

horizontal winds

21
Q

atmospheric rivers carry

A

water vapour and humid air

22
Q

how air continuity relates to tstorms

A
  • buoyant air rises leaving vacuum behind -> surrounding air sucked in to fill hole
  • vertical motion generates horizontal motion
23
Q

where is the greatest risk of hail?

A

midwest, east coast

24
Q

structure of hurricanes

A

eye: centre, calm & clear, low pressure
eye wall: ring of tstorms around the eye
spiral bands: bands of tstorms extending out in straight lines from eye wall

25
the lower the eye pressure...
the faster the winds and the stronger the hurricane
26
self-fueling method
hurricanes remove heat from oceans -> creates strong winds -> creates high waves
27
where do hurricanes typically form
10-30 latitude (or -10 - -30) hurricanes won't form at equator bc no coriolis effect (earth's rotation not as strong)
28
hurricane hazards
storm surges lead to floods and disease, drowning
29
hurricane predictions aren't accurate...
so plan to evacuate