Severe Storms Cyclone = generic term for an organized system of winds rotating inward to an area of low pressure

Thunderstorms Storm that produces thunder, lightning, heavy rain, gusty winds, & possibly hail. Can be local, single cloud storms, or multiple cells along a cold front. Storm Hazards: Lightning Hail Floods

3 stages of a thunderstorm: p. 572 warm, moist air is moved upward (about 1 hour later) heavy precipitation begins with gusty winds, lightning, and hail. cooling of the air → the storm to dies down.

Tornadoes Violent windstorms that form a rotating column of air (vortex) that extends downward from a cumulonimbus cloud. Most form during thunderstorms. Intensity of a tornado is based on the wind speed & the estimated damage. (p. 574) also known as a “Twister”

Hurricanes Tropical cyclone that produces winds of at least 74 mph. Intensity is based on wind speeds. Energy that drives it comes from warm ocean water. Power dies down when it moves over land.

Hurricanes (stages) Tropical Depression (disturbance) – first stage with several thunderstorm clusters and little or no cloud rotation. Tropical Storm – winds begin to rotate & thunderstorms progress. p. 577

Hurricanes (intensity) p. 577 Category 3 is considered a major hurricane.

Hurricanes (structure) p. 577 Eye – center of the hurricane where air is subsiding (sinking) & being warmed. Eye Wall – layer of clouds that surrounds the eye, where winds are fastest & rainfall is greatest. Rain Bands – clouds that extend outward from the eye wall, circulates, & rotates around the storm cell. Storm Surge – dome of water directly underneath the eye which can cause severe flooding as the storm hits land.