Extreme WeatherExtreme Weather

By Kim BrasseurBy Kim Brasseur

Types of Extreme WeatherTypes of Extreme Weather

• TornadoesTornadoes• HurricanesHurricanes• Thunder and LighteningThunder and Lightening• BlizzardsBlizzards• FloodsFloods

TornadoesTornadoes• Tornadoes are the most powerful, unpredictable Tornadoes are the most powerful, unpredictable

and destructive weather system on earth.and destructive weather system on earth.• A tornado is a violent rotating funnel-shaped A tornado is a violent rotating funnel-shaped

column of air extending from a thunderstorm to column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground.the ground.

• They can have wind speed up to 300 mph.They can have wind speed up to 300 mph.• Tornadoes happen where dry, cold air masses Tornadoes happen where dry, cold air masses

mix with warm, moist air masses.mix with warm, moist air masses.• More tornadoes occur in the United States than More tornadoes occur in the United States than

in any other country.in any other country.

Hurricanes• A huge storm that measures several hundred miles in diameter• Hurricanes have two main parts• First is the “eye” of the hurricane, which is a calm area in the center

of the storm.• second is the wall of the clouds that surrounds the calm eye. This is

where the hurricane’s strongest winds and heaviest rain occur.• Hurricanes rotate in a counter-clockwise direction around the eye.• Hurricane winds can be 74 to 200 mph.• Hurricanes are born over warm, tropical oceans.• They are fueled by water vapor that is pushed up from the warm

ocean surface.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEPZOC6YHUc

Thunder Thunder • A thunderstorm is a storm with lightning and thunder.A thunderstorm is a storm with lightning and thunder.• Thunder is caused by lightning.Thunder is caused by lightning.• They are produced by a cumulonimbus cloud, usually They are produced by a cumulonimbus cloud, usually

producing gusty winds and heavy rain, and sometimes producing gusty winds and heavy rain, and sometimes hail.hail.

• Thunderstorms are caused by rapidly rising and falling Thunderstorms are caused by rapidly rising and falling currents of air.currents of air.

• When a lightning bolt travels from the cloud to the When a lightning bolt travels from the cloud to the ground it opens up a little hole in the air called a ground it opens up a little hole in the air called a channel.channel.

• Once then light is gone the air collapses back in and Once then light is gone the air collapses back in and creates a sound wave that we hear as thunder.creates a sound wave that we hear as thunder.

LightningLightning

• Lightning is a sudden, violent flash of electricity Lightning is a sudden, violent flash of electricity between a cloud and the ground, or from cloud between a cloud and the ground, or from cloud to cloud.to cloud.

• A lightning flash, or bolt can be several miles A lightning flash, or bolt can be several miles long.long.

• Lightning is so hot, with a average temperature Lightning is so hot, with a average temperature of 34,00 degrees Centigrade, that the air around of 34,00 degrees Centigrade, that the air around it suddenly expands with a loud blast. This is the it suddenly expands with a loud blast. This is the thunder we hear.thunder we hear.

• Lightning occurs in hot, wet storms.Lightning occurs in hot, wet storms.

Blizzards

• A blizzards is a long-lasting snowstorm with strong winds, intense snowfall, and cold temperatures.

• Winds of 35mph or greater, and little visibility.• Three things are needed to have a blizzard; cold air at

the surface, lots of moisture, and lift.• When a mass of polar air and warm air meet, the polar

air pushes the warm air up and settles in the atmosphere where the water vapor forms snow clouds.

• The winds and low temperatures combine with the snow to create a blizzard.

Flash FloodFlash Flood• A flash flood is the fastest moving type of flood.A flash flood is the fastest moving type of flood.• They happen when heavy rain collects in a stream or gully, turning They happen when heavy rain collects in a stream or gully, turning

the normally calm area into an instant rushing current.the normally calm area into an instant rushing current.• Flash floods appear and move quickly across the land, with little Flash floods appear and move quickly across the land, with little

warning that it’s coming.warning that it’s coming.• Flash floods are generally a result of heavy rainfall concentrated Flash floods are generally a result of heavy rainfall concentrated

over one area.over one area.• Most flash flooding is caused by slow-moving thunderstorms, Most flash flooding is caused by slow-moving thunderstorms,

thunderstorms that repeatedly move over the same area, or heavy thunderstorms that repeatedly move over the same area, or heavy rains from hurricanes and tropical storms.rains from hurricanes and tropical storms.

• Dam failure can also cause a bad flash flood. When a dam breaks a Dam failure can also cause a bad flash flood. When a dam breaks a gigantic amount of water is suddenly loose downstream.gigantic amount of water is suddenly loose downstream.

• Flash floods move so fast they have the power to tear out trees, Flash floods move so fast they have the power to tear out trees, destroy buildings, and break bridges.destroy buildings, and break bridges.

Sources• Information• http://www.livescience.com/environment/lightning_science.html• http://weatherwizkids.com/index.htm• http://fema.gov/kids• http://wwwworldstory.net/en/tunder.html• http://weathereye.kgan.com/expert/blizzard/wnstroms.html• http://www.theteachersguide.com/weather.html• http://www.livescience.com/hurricanes/• http://www.extremescience.com/weatherport.htm• http://library.thinkquest.org/3805/events/Bliz.htm

Sources• Pictures• http://www.howtosurviveit.com/tornado-natural-disaster-400a061807.jpg• www.pntmc.org.nz/photos/Wanganui/pages/Flood_2.html• ed101.bu.edu/.../mattwall/Extreme%20Weather.htm• www.flickr.com/photos/blackwolve/1471494190/• https://www.novelmaker.com/index/genre_select...• www.ehow.com/how_4027_prepare-home-hurricane.html• www.sun-tek.com/ExtWthr.htm• Remove frame • www.topnews.in/regions/greece