Chapter 9 Storms and Forecasting
an abrupt discharge of electricity through the air
Lightning
thunderstorm stage marked by the arrival of precipitation
Mature stage
forms the bright brilliant flash of a lightning bolt
Return stroke
a long line of advancing thunderstorms, moving ahead of a cold fromt
Squall line
An electron stream that flows from a cloud during a thunderstorm
Stepped leader
a fierce, single-updraft thunderstom
Supercell
a shock wave produced as lightning heats the air
Thunder
a localized storm involving lightning, thunder,strong winds, heavy rain, and sometimes hail or tornadoes
Thunderstorm
a narrow funnel whirling wind produced by a thunderstorm
Tornado
a tornado that forms over water
Waterspout
Rapidly swirling cloud that is the most distinctive visual feature of a tornado
Condensation funnel
thunderstorm stage marked by a billowing, rapidly growing cumulus cloud
Cumulus stage
a rotating column of air that starts on the ground and is not associated with a cloud
Dust devil
a scale based on the Fajita scale, used to classify tornadoes
Ef-scale
A single updraft system in a thunderstorm
cell
concentrated downward blast of wind
downburst
a large rotating updraft in a super cell thuderstorm
mesocyclone
air that is warm near the ground but very cold at higher altitudes
unstable
