Weather Disasters Lecture Review

Flashcards reviewing key vocabulary from a lecture on weather disasters, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

Towering Cumulus

Stage of thunderstorm development requiring continuous supply of warm air and moisture; hard, cauliflower appearance indicates high energy levels.

Cumulonimbus Clouds

A feature of thunderstorms associated with heavy rainfall and lightning.

Mesocyclone

A rotating column of air within a supercell thunderstorm; presence increases the chance of tornado formation.

Tornado Watch

Alert issued when conditions are favorable for tornado formation within a specified area.

Tornado Warning

Issued when a tornado is sighted or indicated by weather radar.

Fujita Intensity Scale

Scale used to measure the intensity of a tornado based on wind speed and damage.

Hurricane

A violent storm with wind speeds in excess of 119 kilometers (74 miles) per hour and a rotary cyclonic circulation.

Eyewall

Near the center of a hurricane; wall of cumulonimbus clouds, greatest wind speeds, and heaviest rainfall.

Eye

At the very center of a hurricane; precipitation ceases, winds subside, air gradually descends, and warmest part of the storm.

Tropical Depression

Winds do not exceed 61 kilometers (38 mph) per hour during hurricane formation.

Tropical Storm

Winds between 61 to 119 km (38 - 74 mph) per hour during hurricane formation; storm gets named at this stage.

Saffir-Simpson Scale

Ranks the relative intensities of hurricanes.

Storm Surge

Rise in sea level during a storm.

Latent Heat of Condensation

Energy source for hurricanes.