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The Earth’s Atmosphere:
Weather Related Phenomena
SOL 6.6 Part 6
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The Earth’s Atmosphere: Weather Related Phenomena
The Earth’s weather changes all the time. It can be calm and quiet one minute and stormy and thunderous the
next. Thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and drought are examples of weather related phenomena that
affect our daily lives and the planet.
Thunderstorms are heavy rainstorms that usually include strong winds, thunder, lightning, and sometimes hail.
This type of storm occurs when a cold air mass called a cold front forces its way underneath a warmer mass of air.
The warm air is pushed upward forming a cumulonimbus cloud which produces a violent weather phenomena we
call a thunderstorm.
Hurricanes are tropical storms that form over warm ocean waters and are the largest storms on Earth. In other
parts of the world these powerful storms are called typhoons, cyclones, and even willy-willies! They begin as
areas of low pressure and grow larger as they take in more and more heat and moisture from the warm ocean
water. These powerful storms have strong winds that move in huge circles. The winds spiral inward toward the
area of lowest pressure at the center or eye of the storm. The speed of the winds can range from 75 mph to over
150 mph and can cause much destruction. During a hurricane, trees are blown over, roofs are torn off, and giant
ocean waves are formed. These waves, along with the heavy rains that come with this type of storm, can result in
severe flooding, destruction of property, and even death.
Tornadoes often form without warning during thunderstorms as a column of warm air begins to spin upward
forming a funnel cloud. They frequently occur in the Great Plains region of the United States when cold air masses
moving south from Canada and warm air masses moving north from the Gulf of Mexico collide. A tornado, though
similar to a hurricane with its circular winds, is much smaller. Don’t let its size fool you, however. It can be the
most violent of storms with its spinning winds reaching speeds of 300 mph! These high winds can destroy
property and are strong enough to pick up and move cars, trains, and even houses.
A drought is another weather related phenomena that results from a long period of dry weather, when no rain falls
for weeks, months, or even years. Droughts are often associated with persistent high pressure, high temperatures,
and low humidity. The impact of a severe drought can be devastating to people, livestock, and crops.
© 2006
Severe Weather
• The Earth’s weather changes all the time.
It can be calm and quiet one minute and
stormy and thunderous the next.
• Thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes,
and drought are examples of weather
related phenomena that affect our daily
lives and the planet.
Thunderstorms
• Thunderstorms are heavy rainstorms that
usually include strong winds, thunder,
lightning, and sometimes hail.
Thunderstorm
• This type of storm occurs when a cold air
mass called a cold front forces its way
underneath a warmer mass of air.
• The warm air is pushed upward forming a
cumulonimbus cloud which produces a
violent weather phenomena we call a
thunderstorm.
Hurricanes
• Hurricanes are tropical storms that form
over warm ocean waters and are the
largest storms on Earth.
• In other parts of the world these powerful
storms are called typhoons, cyclones, and
even willy-willies!
Hurricanes
• They begin as areas of low pressure and
grow larger as they take in more and more
heat and moisture from the warm ocean
water.
Hurricanes
• These powerful storms have strong winds
that move in huge circles.
• The winds spiral inward toward the area of
lowest pressure at the center or eye of the
storm.
Hurricanes
• The speed of the winds can range from 75
mph to over 150 mph and can cause much
destruction.
• During a hurricane, trees are blown over,
roofs are torn off, and giant ocean waves
are formed.
Hurricanes
STORM SURGE
• These waves, along with the heavy rains
that come with this type of storm, can
result in severe flooding, destruction of
property, and even death.
Tornadoes
• Tornadoes often form without warning
during thunderstorms as a column of warm
air begins to spin upward forming a funnel
cloud.
Tornadoes
• They frequently occur in the Great Plains
region of the United States when cold air
masses moving south from Canada and
warm air masses moving north from the
Gulf of Mexico collide.
Tornadoes
• A tornado, though similar to a hurricane
with its circular winds, is much smaller.
Tornadoes
• Don’t let its size fool you, however.
• It can be the most violent of storms with its
spinning winds reaching speeds of 300
mph!
• These high winds can destroy property
and are strong enough to pick up and
move cars, trains, and even houses.
Drought
• A drought is another weather related
phenomena that results from a long period
of dry weather, when no rain falls for
weeks, months, or even years.
Drought
• Droughts are often associated with
persistent high pressure, high
temperatures, and low humidity.
• The impact of a severe drought can be
devastating to people, livestock, and
crops.