1. Weather Patterns Storms Chapter 3 Section 2

2. Storm A violent disturbance in the atmosphere

3. El Nino Warmer than normal water in the eastern Pacific Ocean

4. Thunderstorms Cumulonimbus Clouds –(a.k.a. Thunderheads) Warm, moist air rising rapidly

5. Lightning Static electric discharge –Cloud-cloud –Cloud-ground 30,000 o C –Hotter than the surface of the sun

6. Thunder The shock wave created by the rapidly expanding air

7. Thunderstorm Safety Avoid touching metal objects because they can conduct electricity from lightning into your body. If struck… –Unconsciousness –Serious burns –Heart failure

8. Tornado Rapidly whirling, funnel shaped cloud that reaches down from a storm cloud to touch Earth’s surface Speeds up to 300 mph

9. Tornadoes Forming Develop in low, heavy cumulonimbus clouds Spring & early summer Great Plains 800+ per year in U.S. Hide in the basement

10. Tornado Alley

11. Hurricane A “tropical disturbance” that forms over warm water as a low pressure area Winds of 75 mph or faster Most common in U.S. –August, September, & October

12. Typhoons A hurricane in the Pacific or Indian oceans

13. Eye of the Hurricane Little wind Clear skies

14. Storm Surge When the hurricane comes onshore it brings a “dome” of water that is up to 6 meters higher than normal Structural damage Flooding

15. Evacuate If you hear a hurricane warning and are told to evacuate, leave the area immediately

16. Winter Storms Snow falls when humid air cools below 0 o C

17. Lake-Effect Snow Cold dry air moves over large bodies of water