week 8

• What are the types of storms discussed in Week 8?

  Mid-latitude frontal cyclones, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes
• What is one theory about what causes lightning?

  Hail interacts with ice particles, transferring electrons
• What happens to hail as it falls during a storm?

  It interacts with ice particles moving upward
• What should you do before a storm hits?

  Unplug appliances and avoid electrical items
• What is the safest action to take during a lightning storm?

  Stay indoors and away from windows
• Why should you avoid taking a bath during a storm?

  Water and metal are electrical conductors
• What should you do if you are caught outside during a lightning storm?

  Crouch down with feet close together
• What is a tornado?

  A rapidly rotating column of air
• What is the typical diameter of a tornado?

  100 to 600 meters
• What is the average speed of a tornado?

  20 to 30 knots (40 to 50 km/h)
• How does a tornado develop?

  From severe weather situations like cold fronts
• What is a mesocyclone?

  A vertical cylinder of rotating air
• What stage precedes a tornado's formation?

  Development of a mesocyclone

  
• What is the first stage of a tornado's life-cycle?

  Dust-whirl stage
• What happens during the mature stage of a tornado?

  The condensation funnel is visible
• What should you do if you are in a building during a tornado?

  Stay away from windows and exterior walls
• What is a hurricane?

  An intense storm of tropical origins
• What is the average lifespan of a hurricane?

  10 days
• What are the key ingredients for hurricane formation?

  Cluster of thunderstorms, converging air, warm ocean
• Why is a warm ocean important for hurricane formation?

  It serves as an energy source for heat
• What role does the Coriolis effect play in hurricanes?

  It causes the storm to spiral and form an eye
• What is the Saffir-Simpson scale used for?

  To classify hurricane intensity

  
• Why do hurricanes only form between 5 and 23 degrees N/S?

  Due to the Coriolis effect's influence
• What are the two types of storms mentioned?

  Frontal storms and convective storms
• What is the energy source for frontal storms?

  Gradient in temperature
• What is the energy source for convective storms?

  Release of latent heat
• What is the average path length of a tornado?

  7 km
• What happens to a hurricane when it moves over cooler water?

  It begins to decay
• What happens when a hurricane hits land?

  It cannot feed the system and decays
• How do Doppler radar systems help in storm tracking?

  They detect thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes
• What are the stages of tornado development?

  1. Dust-whirl stage
  2. Organizing stage
  3. Mature stage
  4. Shrinking stage
  5. Decay stage
• What are the key components of hurricane anatomy?

  • Eye wall: intense convective activity
  • Eye: calm center with descending air

  
• What are the conditions necessary for hurricane formation?

  1. Cluster of thunderstorms
  2. Converging air
  3. Slight wind shear
  4. Warm ocean (min 27°C)
  5. Rotation (Coriolis effect)