Storms Chapter 8 Section 4

Standards S 6.2d Students know earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and floods change human and wildlife habitats

Anticipatory Set What types of storms have you been in? Label them on your white boards

Language of the Discipline Storm Thunderstorm Lightning Tornado Hurricane Storm surge

Thunderstorms Small storm with heavy precipitation and frequent thunder and lightning Thunderstorms form in large cumulonimbus clouds (Thunderheads) Form in the spring and summer Form on hot, humid days Lightning: areas of positive and negative electrons charges build up Thunder: lightning bolt can head the air to 30,000 *C. The headed air expands suddenly and explosively. Thunder is the sound of that explosion

Thunderstorm Damage Flood low lying areas Ligthning strikes the ground It can start forest fires Creates a powerful electric shock when it strikes a human or animal Unconsciousness, serious burns, or heart failure Floods can wash away habitats for animals and humans

Thunderstorm Safety The safest place is indoors Do not touch telephones, electrical appliances or plumbing fixtures Usually safe to stay in a car with a hard top Electricity will flow over the car and to the ground and not touch you Avoid: where lightning might strike, objects that conduct electrical currents and bodies of water

Tornadoes Rapidly whirling, funnel shaped clouds that reaches down from a storm cloud to touch Earth’s surface Over water it is called a waterspout Usually brief but can be deadly Touch the ground for 15 minutes Wind speeds is the most intense in a tornado

Tornado Formation Develop in thick cumulonimbus clouds- same clouds that bring thunderstorms Spring and early summer 800 tornadoes occur in the US every year. It is called tornado alley Tornados occur in every state, even California! The safest place to be during a tornado is a storm shlter or basement of a well built building

Snowstorms Most precipitation begins in clouds as snow. If the air is colder than 0*C all the way to the ground, the precipitation falls as snow. Occur in high elevation for California California: depends on snow for fresh water when it melts in the spring and summer. Imagine: being caught in a snowstorm when the wind suddenly picks up. Snow is blowing sideways and picks it up from the ground and suspends it in the air. Sound fun?

What to do? IF you are caught in a snowstorm, try to find shelter from the wind. Cover exposed parts of your body Car: keep the car running as long as the exhaust pipe is clear

Hurricanes A tropical cyclone that has winds of 119 kilometers per hour or higher Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans Begins over warm ocean water as a low pressure area or tropical disturbance Becomes a tropical disturbance then becomes a hurricane if it worsens At the center is a ring of clouds called the “eye” of the storm. The wind gets stronger as the eye approaches and then the weather suddenly changes. The air grows calm and the skies clear. Then it starts again.

Hurricanes Last about a week or more They bring high waves and severe flooding and wind damage Storm surge: dome of water from where the hurricane lands Washing away beaches, destroying buildings, eroding coastlines If you hear a hurricane warning and are told to evacuate, leave the area immediately.

Checking for Understanding How can lightning be dangerous? How can snowstorms be dangerous? How can hurricanes be dangerous?

Guided Practice Independent Practice Guided Practice- Worksheet Stop! Check your answers with your teacher Independent Practice- Workbook