Unit 3 Notes Part 2: Tornadoes
Why do so many tornadoes occur in Tornado Alley? IT IS A REGION OF THE COUNTRY WHERE WARM WET AIR FROM THE GULF COLLIDES WITH DRY AIR FROM THE WEST
Do tornadoes tend to happen early in the day, or late? LATE IN THE DAY WHEN THE ATMOSPHERE HAS HAD TIME TO HEAT UP, HOWEVER THEY COULD HAPPEN ANYTIME, EVEN AT NIGHT
What do tornadoes, blizzards and thunderstorms have in common? They all form due to the interaction of the atmosphere at weather fronts
Do tornadoes have a season? Why? Tornadoes do not have a season, they can happen any time of the year; but they are more common in spring and summer
Why does the United States experience some of the wildest weather on Earth? WE HAVE OCEANS ON BOTH SIDES AND CONVERGING TROPICAL AND POLAR AIR MASSES
Why do so many severe storms happen in the spring? Most severe weather takes place in the spring as cold, dry air from the north collides with warm, moist air from the south over the central US.
What should you do to protect yourself in a thunderstorm? If you see lightning go indoors. If you are trapped outside, crouch in a ball covering your head. Don’t go under trees!
If you hear a tornado warning, what should you do and where should you go? If a tornado "watch" is issued for your area, it means that a tornado is "possible." If a tornado "warning" is issued, it means that a tornado has actually been spotted. Go to a basement, away from the west and south walls. Hiding under a heavy work-table or under the stairs. No basement, go to a small, windowless, first floor, interior room like a closet or bathroom Vehicles are extremely risky in a tornado. Avoid seeking shelter under a bridge, which can create deadly traffic hazards while offering little protection against flying debris.
What causes the most damage during thunderstorms and how can it be prevented? Floods cause more damage than any other form of weather. Don’t build your house in a flood zone. Build a dike around your home. Avoid putting valuables and electrical equipment in basement.