thunderstorms and tornadoes quiz questions/answers

Thunderstorms form when ________, humid air rises in a(n) ________ environment

warm; unstable or conditionally unstable

_______ is defined as a significant change in wind speed and/or wind direction with increasing height above the surface.

Wind shear

Ordinary, or air-mass, thunderstorms usually form in association with ________ air masses

mT

Updrafts dominate the cumulonimbus cloud during the ________ in the life cycle of an air mass thunderstorm.

cumulus stage

What key change does wind shear promote in a thunderstorm that helps extend its life span?

It causes the storm to become tilted.

Some of the most dangerous weather is produced by a type of thunderstorm called a(n):

supercell.

The terms leader, flash, and stroke are used when describing:

lightning.

During the formation of a lightning strike, a ________ is emitted from the surface and connects with the channel mid-air in order to complete the path for electrons to travel into the ground.

streamer

A tornado is also sometimes known as a:

cyclone.

Which association is incorrect?

tornado watch — a tornado has been sighted on the ground