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CYCLONE
Circulation around ANY low-pressure centerIntensity and size do not matter
Tornadoes and Hurricanes are smaller than mid-latitude cyclones and more violent
THUNDERSTORMS
Storm that produces lightning and thunder Characterized based upon the up/down draft
of air NOT circular motion of air Forms when warm, humid air rises in an
unstable environmentUnequal heating of earth’s surface (Air-
Mass Tstorms)Unequal heating along with frontal
wedging or oorgraphic lift (Severe Tstorms)
AIR-MASS THUNDERSTORMS
Occur in mT air that moves Northward from Gulf. Most frequent during Spring and Summer Frequently around midafternoon
Thunderstorm Project produced a model of the life cycle of a Tstorm Cumuls Stage Mature Stage Dissipating Stage
CUMULUS STAGE
Formation of cumulus clouds allow for moisture to be at greater heights
Clouds grow verticallyCumulonimbus clouds form Dominated by updraft
Downdraft forms and failing precipitation causes dragEntrainment intensifies downdraft
MATURE STAGE
Officially starts when precipitation leaves the cloud
Updraft and downdraft exists side by side and grow the cloud Anvil top forms when cloud reaches base of the
stratosphere Most active stage: Gusty winds, ligthning,
hail/heavy precipitation
DISSIPATING STAGE
Dominated by the downdraft
Cooler air aloft and falling precipitation causes cloud to evaporate
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS Characterized by heavy downpours, flash
flooding, strong/gusty winds, hail, lightning, and maybe tornadoes.Must have winds over 58mph or hailstones
.75 in diameter or produce a tornado
SUPERCELL TSTORMS Single, powerful cell up to 65,000’ and 12-30
miles in diameter 2000-3000/year in the US
Can form mesocyclones when updraft rotates
THUNDER & LIGHTNING
Thunder is: Expanding air Heat Lightning
Lightning is created due to separation of charges in a cumulonimbus cloud
Sheet Lightning Within the cloud or between clouds 80% of all lightning
Cloud to Ground Lightning 20% of lightning strokes Most damaging and dangerous
Flash is made up of individual strokes Leader, step leader, return stroke, and dart leader
TORNADOES AKA: twisters, cyclones Violent windstorms that are a vortex Contains lower pressure inside the vortex
than the surrounding areas
TORNADO FORMATION Form in association with severe thunderstorms
Located wherever severe weather is: cold fronts, squall lines, hurricanes, supercells
Only tornado if funnel cloud touches surface
TORNADO FORECASTING
Alters public to POSSIBLITY of tornadoes over a specific area for a certain time period. 65,000sq.km for 4-6
hours
Issued by local NWS ACTUAL sighted
tornado in an area or indicated by radar Smaller areas and
for shorter periods of time
Watches Warnings