Thunderstorm Flashcards

1
Q

All thunderstorms require:

A

Unstable air
Lifting action
High moisture content

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2
Q

3 stages of thunderstorms

A

Cumulus stage
Mature stage
Dissipating stage

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3
Q

Cumulus stage

A

Formation of a cumulus cloud that builds up into a towering cumulus
Mostly updrafts
No precipitation

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4
Q

Mature stage

A

Highest incidence of precipitation
Lighting, microbursts, gust fronts, hail, tornadoes can occur
Updraft 6000FPM (ft per min) downdrafts 2000FPM

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5
Q

Dissipating stage

A

Precipitation cools down, breaks the updrafts
Top of cloud spreads out into an anvil form

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6
Q

2 types of thunderstorms

A

Air mass thunderstorms
Frontal thunderstorms

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7
Q

3 types of air mass thunderstorms

A

Convection thunderstorms
Advection thunderstorms
Orographic thunderstorms

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8
Q

Convection thunderstorms

A

Caused by uneven heating of the ground
Occur in the afternoon/ early evening
Dissipate late evening/ overnight
Clouds scattered over large area

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9
Q

Advection thunderstorms

A

Caused by cold air passing over warm surface

Over land: Occur in the afternoon, Dissipate in late evening/ overnight, Clouds scatter over large area, Has northerly flow

Over water: Occur in morning, dissipate with southerly flow, clouds close together

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10
Q

Orographic thunderstorms

A

Caused by air being lifted by sloping ground (ie. mountain)
Occur day/ night
Dissipate with a change in wind direction
Clouds form in stationary line

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11
Q

Single-cell thunderstorms

A

Individual air mass thunderstorms

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12
Q

Supercells/ supercell thunderstorms

A

Large clusters of air mass trhunderstorms

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13
Q

2 types of frontal thunderstorms

A

Cold front thunderstorms
Warm front thunderstorms

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14
Q

Cold front thunderstorms

A

Clouds in a line parallel to the front
Occur day/ night
Dissipate with the movement of the front

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15
Q

Warm front thunderstorms

A

Embedded in stratiform clouds, not as visible as cold front thunderstorms
Occur day/ night
Dissipate with movement of the front

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16
Q

10 area of concern when flying near a thunderstorm

A

Turbulence
Hail
Lightning
Icing
Squall lines
Tornadoes
Low ceiling & visibility
Heavy rain
Microbursts
Gust fronts

17
Q

Severe turbulence is present in all ___ clouds

A

cumulonimbus

18
Q

Roll cloud

A

Low-level, horizontal, tube-shaped accessory cloud completely detached from the base of a cumulonimbus cloud

19
Q

4 types of lightning

A

In-cloud (sheet lightning)
Cloud to cloud
Cloud to ground
Distant

20
Q

Squall lines

A

Non-frontal, narrow bands of highly active thunderstorms

21
Q

Microbursts

A

Sudden powerful downdrafts within a thunderstorm

22
Q

Gust fronts

A

Result of strong downdrafts in the mature stage of a thunderstorm reaching the ground and spreading out horizontally
Usually has significant turbulence

23
Q

Effects of cumulus cloud on flight

A

Result in a bumpy flight beneath and in the cloud

24
Q

Effects of towering cumulus cloud on flight

A

Result in turbulence
Icing is possible at altitudes above freezing level
Strong updrafts below and in the cloud

25
Effects of cumulonimbus cloud on flight
Result in severe turbulence Severe icing Accompanied by thunderstorm, precipitation, wind, hail, lightning
26
Effects of altocumulus castellans cloud on flight
Result in turbulence and icing Precipitation may be present
27
Hazards association with CBs:
Rapid changed in barometric pressure Abrupt changes in wind speed & direction Moderate to severe icing Hazardous disturbances Turbulence Extreme weather