Life Cycle Classification Location Severe Thunderstorms Hazards

What is a thunderstorm? A thunderstorm is a storm accompanied by lightning and thunder Affects a relatively small area for a short amount of time Product of vigorous convection extending into troposphere

Thunderstorm life cycle 3 stages to the life cycle of a thunderstorm Towering cumulus stage Mature stage Dissipating stage

Thunderstorm life cycle towering cumulus stage The build up stage Can build vertically and horizontally Neighboring cumulus clouds can merge together making the lateral dimension 6-9 miles long

Towering cumulus stage Caused by updrafts in the air An updraft is an upward moving current of air This forces all water droplets and ice crystals in the cloud Precipitation does not occur during the towering cumulus stage

Mature Stage Middle stage when exciting stuff starts to happen Precipitation begins to fall Lasts 10-20 minutes

Mature Stage During this time an accumulation of water droplets and ice crystals are sent up in the cloud The weight of these begins too much and they begin to work their way down the cloud carrying the wind as well This produces a downdraft alongside the updraft

Dissipating Stage Subsiding air replaces the updraft which effectively cuts off the supply of moisture delivered by the updraft

Classifying thunderstorms 4 types of thunderstorms Single cell Multicell cluster Multicell line supercell

Single Cell Weakest of thunderstorms Weak updraft (non severe) Strong updraft Slight threat

Multi cell cluster Weak updraft Strong updraft Moderate threat

MultiCell line Weak updraft Strong updraft Moderate threat

Super Cell Intense updraft Mesocyclone present High threat Vertical column of cyclonically rotating air High threat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nuyxs6-XWu0

Severe Thunderstorms In order to be a severe thunderstorm, it needs to have 58 mph winds Hailstones 1 inch or longer in diameter (penny size)

What is needed to cause a sever thunderstorm? Wind shear- change in horizontal wind speed or direction High vertical wind shear High developing clouds Carries more moisture to feed the storm

Hazards Lightning Down Bursts Strong down draft which hits the ground and spreads

Hazards Flash flooding Hail