thunderstorm formation a thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus...

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Thunderstorm Formation • A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud.

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Page 1: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud

Thunderstorm Formation• A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air

rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud.

Page 2: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud

• Thunderstorms have warm temperatures, moisture, and rising air, which may be supplied by a low-pressure system.

• Thunderstorms have a three-stage life cycle: the cumulus stage, the mature stage, and the dissipation stage.

Page 3: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud

• The cumulus stage is dominated by cloud formation and updrafts.

• After the cumulus stage, downdrafts, which are air currents moving vertically toward the ground, begin to form.

Page 4: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud

• In the mature stage, heavy winds, rain, and lightning dominate the area.

Page 5: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud

• In the dissipation stage, updrafts stop, winds die down, lighting ceases, and precipitation weakens.

Page 6: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud

Time

Page 7: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud

Tornadoes

Page 8: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud

• A tornado is a violent, whirling column of air in contact with the ground.

• Tornadoes form when thunderstorm updrafts begin to rotate.

Page 9: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud

- Storms

Tornado Formation• Tornadoes can form when warm, humid air

rises rapidly in thick cumulonimbus clouds—the same type of clouds that bring thunderstorms.

Page 10: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud

- Storms

Tornado Alley• Tornadoes in the U.S. are most likely to occur

in a region known as Tornado Alley.

Page 11: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud

Tornadoes

• Occur most in May & June• Occur most between 3-8 pm

What conditions are needed????

Page 12: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud
Page 13: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud
Page 14: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud
Page 15: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud
Page 16: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud

- Storms

Structure of a Hurricane• In a hurricane, air moves rapidly around a low-

pressure area called the eye.

Page 17: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud

Begins as a low-pressure area over warm water, or a tropical disturbance

Warm, humid air rises and begins to spiral

As air rises, more warm, moist air is drawn into the system,

and the hurricane gains energy

As winds spiral inward, bands of high winds and heavy rains form.

Page 18: Thunderstorm Formation A thunderstorm forms when warm, humid air rises rapidly within a cumulonimbus cloud