Abeka 8th grade science 9.1 thunderstorms

Thunderstorms

localized storm involving lightning, thunder, strong winds, heavy rain, and sometimes hail and tornadoes.

stable

air that cannot rise to high altitude, by the stopping of adiabatic cooling.

Strong updrafts and unstable air

two conditions required to form thunderstorms

Unstable air

air that can reach high altitudes because the rising air remains warmer than the surrounding air

Cumulus stage

the first stage of a thunderstorm, in which an updraft forms a cumulus cloud that develops into a cumulonimbus cloud

Mature stage

Second stage of a thunderstorm, in which the storm reaches the peak of its strength and precipitation arrives at the earths surface

Downburst

concentrated downward blast of cold wind during a thunderstorm

Microburst

smallest, most intense type of downbursts

Dissipating stage

Final stage of a thunderstorm, in which clouds begin to evaporate, precipitation tapers off, and downdrafts grow weaker

Cell

individual updraft system of a thunderstorm

Squall line

Long line of advancing thunderstorms

30 minutes

typical lasting of a thunderstorm

Super cell

the most powerful type of thunderstorms; a fierce, single updraft