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HURRICANES, TORNADOES & THUNDERSTORMS

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Presentation on theme: "HURRICANES, TORNADOES & THUNDERSTORMS"— Presentation transcript:

1 HURRICANES, TORNADOES & THUNDERSTORMS

2 HURRICANES Large, rotating tropical weather system w/wind speeds of at least 120 km/h The most powerful storms on Earth. Pacific Ocean—typhoons Indian Ocean---cyclones Form in areas between 5o to 20o north latitude & 5o to 20o south latitude over warm, tropical areas.

3 HURRICANES At higher latitudes, water is too cold for hurricanes to form. Vary in size from 160 to 1,500 km in diameter Can travel for thousands of kilometers. Begins as a group of thunderstorms over tropical ocean water.

4 HURRICANES Winds traveling in two different directions meet and cause the storm to spin. Because of the Coriolis effect, storm turns counterclockwise in N. Hem & clockwise in the S. Hem. Gets energy from condensation of water vapor. Once formed, fueled by warm ocean water.

5 HURRICANES As warm, moist air rises, water vapor condenses & releases large amounts of energy. When moving into cold water or land, it begins to die as it has lost its source of energy.

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7 HURRICANES Wind speeds range from km/h, some reaching speeds as high as 300 km/h. Knock down trees, telephone poles, damage and destroy buildings and homes. Most damage is caused by flooding associated with heavy winds & storm surges.

8 HURRICANES SAFETY May need to evacuate the area.
Disaster supply kit that includes enough food and water for several days. Cover windows w/plywood Stay indoors during the storm.

9 TORNADOES Happen in only 1% of thunderstorms.
Small, spinning column of air that has high wind speeds & low central pressure. Touches the ground. Starts out as a funnel cloud that pokes through a cumulonimbus cloud & hangs in the air

10 TORNADOES Funnel cloud becomes a tornado when it makes contact with Earth’s surface. 75% occur in the U.S. Spring & early summer Cold, dry air from Canada meets the moist, warm air from the tropics.

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12 TORNADOES Path of destruction is about 8 km long and 10 to 60 km. wide. Last only a few minutes; cause lots of damage Strong spinning winds; average wind speeds are between km/hr. More violent tornadoes can have spinning winds up to 500 km/h.

13 TORANDOES Winds have been known to uproot trees, destroy buildings, can pick up heavy objects (cars; mobile homes) and hurl them through the air. SAFETY! Watches—lets people know that a tornado may happen Warning-lets people know that a tornado has been spotted

14 TORNADOES Go to the basement or cellar or to a windowless room in the center of the building (bathroom, closet, or hallway) Outside---lie down in a large, open field or a deep ditch.

15 YOU KNOW THERE’S A SONG?!?!?! 4g&index=27&list=PLCE7EE0E60A4CB6B1 YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO IT!!! YOU LOVE THESE CHEESY SONGS!!!! OR, AT LEAST YOU PRETEND TO!!! LOL! 

16 THUNDERSTORMS Small, intense weather systems that produce strong winds, heavy rain, lightning and thunder. Occur along cold fronts. Two atmospheric conditions required: warm & moist air near Earth’s surface & an unstable atmosphere (surrounding air is colder than rising warm air mass).

17 THUNDERSTORMS Forms cumulus/cumulonimbus clouds
Electrically active (lightning!) Lightning---electric discharge that occurs between a positively charged area & a negatively charged area. Happens between clouds, between Earth and cloud or within a cloud.

18 THUNDERSTORMS Energy is released when lightning strikes.
Energy transferred to the air and causes air to expand rapidly, sending out sound waves (thunder). Severe thunderstorms---produce high winds, hail, flash floods & tornadoes. SAFETY! Stay inside! Stay away from trees as lightning is attracted to tall objects. Stay out of water!


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