Severe Weather Overview

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and terms related to severe weather.

Severe Weather

Weather that can cause damage to buildings or threaten human life.

Blizzard

A winter storm lasting at least three hours with winds over 56 km/h and significant blowing snow.

Hypothermia

A condition where body temperature falls below 35°C (95°F) causing internal organ failure.

Heat Wave

A period of unusually hot and humid weather lasting two days or longer.

Heat Index

The temperature that feels hotter than the actual air temperature due to humidity.

Severe Thunderstorm

A thunderstorm with wind speeds over 93 km/h, large hail, or tornado formation.

Tornado

A rotating column of air with wind speeds of at least 117 km/h that touches the ground.

Hurricane

A large low pressure storm system that forms over warm water and has sustained wind speeds of at least 119 km/h.

Drought

A prolonged dry period with below-average precipitation.

Power Outage

Loss of electrical power in a given area.

Wildfire

An uncontrolled fire that spreads rapidly through vegetation.

Flash Flood

Sudden flooding that can occur within six hours of rainfall.

Wind Chill Temperature

The cooling effect on exposed skin due to wind combined with air temperature.

NWS (National Weather Service)

The official U.S. agency responsible for monitoring and forecasting weather.

Radar Imaging

Technology used to detect and track weather patterns including storms.

Satellite Imagery

Photographs of the earth's atmosphere captured from satellites for weather monitoring.

Severe Weather Warning

Alert issued by the NWS indicating severe weather conditions expected.

Historical Weather Data

Records of past weather events used to predict future occurrences.

Cumulonimbus Cloud

A type of cloud associated with thunderstorms that can produce severe weather.

Updraft

An upward moving air current in a thunderstorm.

Downdraft

A downward moving air current associated with precipitation in a storm.

Storm Surge

An abnormal rise in sea level during a storm, leading to coastal flooding.

Emergency Plan

A strategy developed to prepare for and respond to severe weather events.

Cooling Center

Public spaces opened during heat waves for people to stay cool.

Flash Flood Warning

A warning indicating sudden flooding may occur and advises immediate action.

Tornado Alley

Regions in the U.S. prone to frequent tornadoes, including parts of Texas and Oklahoma.