Thunderstorms, Hurricanes, Tornadoes

What is a hurricane?

a hurricane is a huge tropical storm. It can be up to 600 miles across and have strong winds spiraling inward and upward at speeds 75-200 mph

What is a thunderstorm?

a thunderstorm is a small storm with heavy precipitation. Usually lightning and thunder.

What is a tornado?

a tornado is a violent rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground

How does a tornado form?

cold and warm air mass meet, create instability in the atmosphere. change in wind direction creates horizontal spinning. rising updrafts 2-6 miles through storm

What does a thunderstorm need?

earths surface is warm and moist Unstable atmosphere.

How does a hurricane form

tropical wave tropical disturbance tropical cyclone tropical depression tropical Storm hurricane

How does a thunderstorm form?

warm air is forced upward along a cold front. Cumulonimbus clouds

What does a tornado need?

warm moist air from the gulf of Mexico cold dry air from Canada Change in wind direction thunderstorms updrafts and downdrafts.

What does a hurricane need?

warm ocean winds coming together force air upward winds flow outward above the storm, allowing air below to rise humid air rising light winds outside the hurricane