Severe Weather Pages 244 - 257

Do Now…… Q: Explain how the temperatures of the ocean currents affect the weather/climate A:

What is severe weather? Weather that can cause serious property damage and sometimes death Three main forms that affect Florida – Thunderstorms Tornadoes Hurricanes

What are the characteristics of a thunderstorm? Small, intense weather system that produces strong winds, heavy rain, lightning, and thunder Two atmospheric conditions must be present: 1) warm moist air rising 2) unstable atmosphere which is when the air is colder than the rising air mass (COLD FRONT)

What causes lightning and thunder? Lightning is created by an electrical discharge between a positive and negative area Lower in clouds = negative Higher in clouds = positive Land = positive Thunder is a result of rapidly expanding air Lightning strikes, heats up air, expands quickly, vibrates and releases sound wave

What are the characteristics of a tornado? Destructive, rotating column of air that has very high speed winds and is sometimes a visible funnel-shaped cloud Only becomes visible as the tornado picks up dust from the ground or from the air Forms when a thunderstorm meets with horizontal winds; winds cause the thunderstorm to spin

What are the characteristics of a hurricane? Tropical low-pressure system with winds blowing at speeds of 119 km/h (74 mi/h) or more Ranked into Category based upon wind speed – 1 = weakest, 5 strongest As long as it stays above warm water, it can grow bigger and more powerful Called typhoons when they form over the Western Pacific; called cyclones when they form over the Indian Ocean

What are the characteristics of a hurricane? Hurricane winds can lift cars, uproot trees, and tear roofs off buildings When a hurricane moves into a coastal area, it pushes a huge amount of ocean water known as a storm surge; causes large waves, sea level rises, backs up rivers, and floods the shores

Totally Random… Tropical Storms (which may form into hurricanes) are assigned names to better identify them while tracking them Uses the letters in order of the alphabet (new set each year); Alternates Boy/Girl Example: Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dorian Katrina (2005) = Category 4-3 at landfall Andrew (1992) = Category 5 Only 32 Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes have EVER formed; only 3 have made landfall at a Cat 5 in FL

National Hurricane Center