Lightning, Thunder, and Tornadoes Study Guide: Part 2

downbursts, 165 mph

Strong downdrafts are called what and can have speeds up to what?

northern Wisconsin

Where did a severe downburst strike on July 4th, 1977

Phillips

What area was hit the hardest?

microbursts

Small downbursts are called what?

tropics

Most thunderstorms are found where?

Africa

The most tornadoes are found in this continent?

Florida

Most thunderstorms in the U.S. are in this state?

zones of extremely rapid, rotating winds beneath the base of a cumulonimbus clouds

By definition a tornado is?

cyclonically (counterclockwise)

99% of tornadoes spin this way in the northern hemisphere?

False

True or False: Tornadoes look alike?

caused by extraordinary differences in atmospheric pressure over short distances

Why are tornado wind speeds so intense?

True

True or False: Tornadoes only last a few minutes?

321 mph

The strongest wind speed in a tornado was what?

a large rotating vortex of air within a thunderstorm typically 2 to 6 miles in diameter

What is a mesocyclone?

a change in speed or direction as you go from the surface to aloft

What is wind shear?

forms when cool, humid air form zones of precipitation is drawn into the updraft

Why does a wall cloud form?

a tornado is a funnel cloud that makes contact with the ground

What’s the difference between a tornado and a funnel cloud?

when a rotating thunderstorm, specifically a supercell experiences strong updrafts and downdrafts, along with windshear. this creates a rotating column of air that descends form the storm cloud and touches the ground

Explain how a rotating thunderstorm produces a tornado?

20%

What percent of mesocyclones produce tornadoes?

True

True or False: A mesocyclone can trigger a tornado warning being issued?

2 explanations: 1) may be caused by convergence from multiple storms, the added convergence and updraft causes areas of strong rotation to develop. 2) convection along the convergence zone causes uplift and cumulus clouds.

How do tornadoes form in non-supercell storms?

Texas

What state receives the most tornadoes?

Oklahoma

Which state receives the most tornadoes per square mile?

Warm Gulf of Mexico and Cold Artic air, relatively flat land in the eastern 2/3rds, lack of east-west mountains

What are the factors that make the U.S. prone to tornado occurrence?

tornado alley

The name for the area if the U.S. that receives the most tornadoes?

Oklahoma

Which state receives the most moderate to strong intensity tornadoes?

these months align with favorable atmospheric conditions, including the positioning of the jet stream, increased moisture, and transition of weather patterns

Tornadoes are most common in April, May, and June. Why?

May

Which month is the peak tornado month in the U.S.?

May

What is the peak tornado month in Illinois?

3-9pm

Tornadoes are most common at this time of the day?

False

True or False: Canada does not receive tornadoes?

most of tornado alleys are in May, farther north states like Nebraska and Wisconsin have their peaks in June, Canada’s tornado season runs from April-October

Describe the seasonal movement of where tornadoes are likely to occur?

the number of tornadoes may have increased, but it is much more likely that the reporting has increased significantly

Tornado occurrence in the U.S. doubled from the 1950’s to the 1990’s. Why is this not as troubling as it sounds?

allows for wind and rain damage that could have been prevented

Why should you not open windows during a tornado?

multiple vortex

A tornado with multiple suction vortices is called what?

flying debris

The primary cause of death by a tornado is what?

Fujita scale

The name of the tornado ranking system is what?

it is a damaged based system, so if it passed through a prairie or cornfield the tornado will be a zero

What problems does the EF scale have?

weak

The majority of tornadoes are strong or weak?

false

True or False: Several F5/EF5 tornadoes happen every year?

false

True or False: The majority of tornadoes result in at least one fatality?

mobile home

Where is the most dangerous place to be in a tornado?

a watch issued by the NWS when conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather (thunderstorms or tornadoes), warnings are issued when the severe criteria have been met or a tornado has been seen or detected by rader

What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?