Thunderstorms

Question 1

When do thunderstorms develop

Answer 1

In hot humid air and are characterised by violent and heavy precipitation associated with thunder and lightening

Question 2

When is the chance of thunderstorms increased in urban areas

Answer 2

The late afternoon and early evening in the summer months

Question 3

What are thunderstorms produced by

Answer 3

Conventional uplift under conditions of extreme instability.
Cumulonimbus clouds may develop up to the height of the tropopause.
The updraught of air through the central area of the towering cloud causes rapid cooling and condensation.
= water droplets, hail, ice and cooled water

Question 4

What happens during condensation

Answer 4

Latent heat is released that further fuels the conventional uplift. As raindrops are split in the updraught, positive electrical charge builds up in the cloud.

Question 5

What happens when the charge in the cloud is high enough (from latent heat)

Answer 5

It overcomes the resistance in the cloud, or in the atmosphere, a discharge occurs to areas of negative charge in the cloud of to the earth

Question 6

What do areas of negative charge produce

Answer 6

Lightening

Question 7

What is thunder

Answer 7

Extreme temperatures generated by the lightening causes a rapid expansion of the air which develops a shock wave.