Severe Weather
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53 Terms
Severe Weather
Weather that can damage buildings or cause loss of life.
Types of Severe Weather
Blizzards
National Weather Service (NWS)
The official U.S. agency that monitors weather and issues storm watches and warnings.
Storm Watch
A notice that severe weather might happen.
Storm Warning
A notice that severe weather is happening or will happen soon.
Blizzard
A winter storm lasting at least 3 hours with winds greater than 34.7 mph and blowing snow.
Blizzard Wind Requirement
Winds greater than 34.7 mph.
Blizzard Time Requirement
Must last at least 3 hours.
Conditions During a Blizzard
Below-freezing temperatures
Wind Chill
The cooling effect caused by wind that makes air feel colder than it actually is.
Frostbite
Damage to the skin caused by freezing temperatures.
Hypothermia
A dangerous condition where body temperature falls below 95°F.
Hypothermia Body Temp
Below 95°F.
Pressure System Associated with Blizzards
Low-pressure system.
Areas Where Blizzards Are Common
Midwest
Blizzard Safety
Stay indoors
Heat Wave
A period of unusually hot
Heat Wave Duration
At least 2 days.
Why Heat Waves Are Dangerous
Extreme heat can harm people
Why Heat Waves Are Worse in Cities
Buildings and concrete trap heat and make cities hotter.
Humidity
The amount of water vapor in the air.
Why Humidity Makes Heat Waves Worse
Sweat cannot evaporate easily
Heat Index
The temperature the air feels like when humidity is combined with air temperature.
Example of Heat Index
90°F with 75% humidity feels like 109°F.
Heatstroke
A dangerous condition where body temperature rises above 106°F.
Heatstroke Body Temp
Above 106°F.
Dangers of Heatstroke
Brain damage or death if not treated quickly.
How Heat Waves Form
A high-pressure system traps hot air near the ground during sunny weather.
Pressure System Associated with Heat Waves
High-pressure system.
Why Trapped Air Gets Hotter
Pressure and thermal energy from the heated ground warm the air.
Heat Wave Safety
Drink water
Environmental Risk During Heat Waves
Heat waves increase the chance of wildfires.
Severe Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm with winds above 57.7 mph
Severe Thunderstorm Wind Speed
Greater than 57.7 mph.
Severe Thunderstorm Hail Requirement
Hail at least 1 inch wide.
Severe Thunderstorm Duration
May last several hours.
Dangers of Severe Thunderstorms
Strong winds
Flash Flooding
Sudden flooding caused by heavy rainfall.
Lightning Danger
Lightning can strike trees and buildings
Severe Thunderstorm Safety
Go indoors
Floodwater Safety Rule
Never drive through floodwater because cars can be swept away in less than 1 foot of water.
Condensation
The process where water vapor cools and changes into liquid droplets.
Cumulus Cloud
A fluffy cloud that can grow into a thunderstorm cloud.
Cumulonimbus Cloud
A tall storm cloud that produces thunderstorms.
Updraft
Warm air moving upward.
Downdraft
Cool air moving downward.
Why Severe Storms Grow Larger
Updrafts and downdrafts are farther apart
How Hail Forms
Strong updrafts push ice particles upward repeatedly until they grow larger.
Funnel Cloud
A rotating column of air extending from a thundercloud.
Tornado
A funnel cloud that touches the ground.
Cold Front
A boundary where cold air pushes under warm air
Where Severe Thunderstorms Commonly Occur
Between Texas and Minnesota.
Areas Likely to Have Tornadoes
Regions with frequent severe thunderstorms.