Download Storm: a violent disturbance in the atmosphere

Storm: a violent disturbance in the atmosphere
Thunderstorm: heavy rainstorms accompanied by thunder and lightning
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Form in cumulonimbus clouds
Produce strong upward and downward winds
Lightning: a sudden spark or energy discharge within clouds, between clouds, or cloud to
ground
Thunder: the sound lightning makes as the heated air expands rapidly
Safety:
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Don’t touch metal objects
Stay away from tall objects outside
Tornado: a rapidly whirling funnel-shaped cloud that reaches down from a storm cloud to touch
Earth’s surface
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Called a waterspout if over a lake or ocean
Develop in low, cumulonimbus clouds
Likely in spring and early summer
“tornado alley” – Great Plains area where tornados are very likely because of weather
patterns
Watch: possible in your area (keep an eye out)
Warning: has been sighted or shown on radar (take cover immediately)
Safety:
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Take cover in basement if possible (center of building if not)
Stay away from windows and doors
If outside, lie flat in a ditch or get to a building
Hurricane: a tropical storm that has winds of 119 km/hr or greater
(also called a typhoon in the Western Pacific Ocean)
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Begin over warm water as a low-pressure area or tropical disturbance
Can grow to a tropical storm by getting energy from the warm, humid air
The lowest pressure is at the center; the lower it is, the faster the winds blow
Eye: calm center of the hurricane
Storm Surge: a “dome” of water that sweeps across the coast where a hurricane lands
Safety:
Evacuate: move away temporarily