Severe Weather and Storms

Thunderstorm

A storm characterized by thunder, lightning, heavy rain, and sometimes hail. Thunderstorms form from rapidly rising warm air and moisture.

Tornado

A violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. Tornadoes can cause extreme destruction over localized areas.

Waterspout

A tornado occurring over a body of water. Waterspouts can be less intense than land tornadoes but still dangerous.

Hurricane

A tropical cyclone with sustained winds exceeding 74 mph, characterized by a low-pressure center and intense rainfall.

Blizzard

A severe snowstorm with strong sustained winds and reduced visibility. Blizzards can create dangerous travel conditions and cause power outages.

Microburst

A small but intense downdraft of wind that causes localized damage. Microbursts can be hazardous to aircraft and cause severe wind damage near the ground.

Storm Surge

An abnormal rise of seawater during a storm, caused by strong winds pushing water toward the shore. Storm surges can cause flooding and coastal damage.

Meso-scale Convective System (MCS)

A complex of thunderstorms that organizes on a scale larger than individual storms but smaller than large-scale weather systems.

Updraft Helm

A strong rotating updraft within a supercell thunderstorm that can produce tornadoes.

Wet Microburst

A microburst accompanied by heavy precipitation, causing severe localized wind damage.

Heat Burst

A rare meteorological phenomenon where a sudden increase in temperature and decrease in humidity occurs near the surface, often after a thunderstorm dissipates.

Lightning

A sudden electrostatic discharge during a thunderstorm. Lightning produces heat, light, and thunder, and can be dangerous to life and property.

Thunder

The sound caused by the rapid expansion of air heated by lightning.

Wet Microburst

A microburst accompanied by heavy precipitation, causing severe localized wind damage.