storms

the storm track in the U.S. typically moves from

west to east

what does the U.S. storm track typically move from west to east

prevailing westerlies in the mid-latitudes

the first air to rise in an advancing storm typically creates

cirrus clouds

what are the largest storms on earth

hurricanes

what is the fastest storm on earth

tornadoes

why do we not typically have large storms near us

because of our cold ocean currents and high pressure systems

an air mass is a large bubble of air with similar…

temperatures, humidity, and moisture

what causes the characteristics of an air mass

it gets characteristics from where it forms

when air masses collide withother air masses it creates a

a front

air masses are grouped by 

moisture and temperature 

what are the different conditions of an air mass

Continental (dry), Maritime (wet), Polar (cold), Tropical (warm)

what are the different types of fronts

cold front, warm front, stationary front, occluded front

describe a cold front 

cold air pushes under warm air rapidly, forcing it up rapidly, often bringing thunder storms. the cold air is attacking 

describe a warm front 

warm air pushes over cold air slowly, warm air is attacking 

describe a stationary front

air masses meet but neither moves

describe a occluded front

cold front overtakes a warm front, lifting warm off the ground

what type of front is this

stationary front 

what type of front is this

cold front

what type of front is this

warm front

what type of front is this

occluded front

what are the common characteristics of a mid-latitude cyclones 

low pressure, associated with rain/wet conditions, counter-clockwise spin, fronts are usually attached

what are the common characteristics of a mid-latitude anti-cyclones 

high pressure, dry conditions, clockwise spin, does not encourage clouds/percipiptation/fronts

describe a thunderstorm

a violent convective storm

what are the conditions of a thunderstorm

thunder, lightning, unstable air, humidity, and large cumulonimbus clouds

what are the three stages of development of a thunderstorm

initial/cumulus stage, mature stage, dissipating stage

what is the scale used to measure the strength of tornadoes

enhanced fujita scale

before doppler radar, how was the strength of a tornado measured

damage surveys

which way do tornadoes rotate

counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere

what type of pressure system is associated with tornadoes

low pressure system

what gives tornades the fastest winds on earth

steepness of the pressure gradient

what provides energy for a tornado

thunderstorms, warm and moist air

at what stage in a thunderstorm are tornadoes more likely to occur

dissipating stage

what are the two other names for a hurricane

typhoon and tropical cyclone

what are the three parts of a hurricane

eye, eyewall, and spiral bands 

where are hurricanes likely to form

5-10˚N (not on the equator)

which way do hurricanes rotate

counter-clockwise

why is the eye of the hurricane calm and clear

the air is sinking, and the winds are light. a pocket of high pressure

where did the largest natural disaster in the U.S. history occur in 1900

Galveston, Texas

the fastest winds in a hurricane are found in which part

eyewall

what is a storm surge

a rise in sea level due to low pressure and winds of a hurricane 

where in the U.S. do hurricanes commonly occur

SE U.S. (gulf coast, atlantic coast)

what weakens hurricanes

entering land or cold water

what sustained wind speed must be met in order to be classified a hurricane

~74 mph

what scale is used to rank the relative strength of a hurricane

saffir-simpson scale

what causes hurricanes to form and where they travel

hurricanes form due to the ocean water and moist air and they travel westward and then bend right due to the coriolis effect and high pressure systems. tradewinds also push them east to west.