storms Flashcards
types of lightning
intracloud & cloud-to-ground
positive v negative strikes
positive strikes more dangerous, negative strikes more common
how lightning forms
leaders descend from clouds and connect with a ground leader
parts of a storm system
anvil at top, cloud base at bottom
updraft, striations, wall cloud, mammatus cloud
where is solar energy absorbed
thermosphere and mesosphere (top & middle)
life cycle of storm
cumulus stage -> mature stage -> dissipating stage
types of storms
supercells, multicells
mesocyclones only found in supercells
types of supercells: low precip, classic, high precip
squall line
a line of tstorms
downburst
cold air sinking, invisible
updraft
warm air rising
gust front
downburst hitting ground, spreads out in straight lines
explain how humidity and saturation relate to tstorms
as moist air rises, it cools down and can no longer hold the moisture, so it condenses and falls
where do tornadoes form
underneath a warm updraft, made visible by water droplets and dust & debris from ground
form on SW flank of storm
description of enhanced fujita scale
EF0: shingles fallen
EF1: windows broken
EF2: roof torn off
EF3: stories collapsed
EF4: house torn off foundation
EF5: house completely destroyed
where to hide during tornado
in a basement or ditch
where do most tornadoes occur
north america, specifcally midwest and ontario
tornado watch vs tornado warning
watch: chance tornado will occur
warning: tornado is imminent
how are storms fueled?
warm, humid air ~ latent heat is removed and converted to storm energy
buoyancy force causes
updrafts & downdrafts
presssure-gradient force causes
horizontal winds
atmospheric rivers carry
water vapour and humid air
how air continuity relates to tstorms
- buoyant air rises leaving vacuum behind -> surrounding air sucked in to fill hole
- vertical motion generates horizontal motion
where is the greatest risk of hail?
midwest, east coast
structure of hurricanes
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
the lower the eye pressure…
the faster the winds and the stronger the hurricane
self-fueling method
hurricanes remove heat from oceans -> creates strong winds -> creates high waves
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)
hurricane hazards
storm surges lead to floods and disease, drowning
hurricane predictions aren’t accurate…
so plan to evacuate
