Severe Weather and Clouds

Cloud Types There are many different types of clouds. Some of the clouds that we will be talking about are: Cirrus= Light and airy Cumulus = fluffy and cotton like Stratus= Sheets or layers

Thunderstorms Thunderstorms generate thunder and lightning. They are also generally associated with strong gusty winds, heavy rain and hail. At any given time there are approximately 2000 thunderstorms going on

Thunderstorm Development

Tornados Tornados are violent storms that are made up of strong winds that form a column of air called a vortex. This vortex extends downward and from a cumulonimbus cloud In the U.S. about 770 tornados occur annually.

Hurricanes Tropical cyclones that produce wind speeds of at least 119 KPH are known as hurricanes in the U.S., in other parts of the world they are known as tropical cyclones, typhoons, or cyclones. They can generate waves up to 15 meters They cause severe damage including: flooding, strong winds, loss of power, and loss of life