Thunderstorms and Tornadoes

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on thunderstorms and tornadoes.

Thunderstorm

A storm characterized by the presence of thunder and lightning, strong and gusty winds, and precipitation such as rain, snow, or hail.

Ordinary Thunderstorm

The most common type of thunderstorm, typically forming in areas with weak wind shear, self-extinguishing, and having short lifetimes.

Mature Stage

The stage of a thunderstorm where updrafts and downdrafts work together, heavy rain, hail, and strong winds are present.

Supercell Thunderstorm

A thunderstorm characterized by a rotating updraft, long-lived and organized, capable of producing severe weather conditions including tornadoes.

Squall-Line Thunderstorm

An organized line of thunderstorms that can produce intense rainfall and damaging winds, typically associated with cold fronts.

Mesocyclone

A large rotating vortex inside a supercell thunderstorm that can lead to tornado formation.

Derecho

A widespread and long-lived windstorm associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms.

Funnel Cloud

A funnel-shaped cloud of condensed water droplets that extends from the base of a cloud but does not reach the ground.

Enhanced Fujita Scale

A system used to assess tornado strength based on the damage they cause, ranking from EF-0 to EF-5.

Thunder

The sound produced by the rapid expansion of heated air from a lightning strike, creating a shockwave.

Lightning

A discharge of electricity during a thunderstorm, resulting in a bright flash and intense heating of the air.