1. Storms!

2. Storms form in Low pressure systems (CYLONES)
Mid Latitude Low- a low pressure storm system in the middle latitudes
( where we are)
Comma shaped
: Nor’ Easter in winter (North Easter)

3. Form When: Caused by the Polar Front:
- cP and mT air converge into a low pressure system
The greater the differences in Temp and Humidity between cP and mT air masses, THE GREATER THE STORM!

4. Thunder and Lightening

5. Advancing cold air pushes warm air up first large cumulus clouds heavy precipitation
Energy from condensation is released
Lightning is the release of huge amounts of static electricity from friction within the storm cloud
(like walking across a carpet)
Thunder is the result of the air quickly expanding from the heat of the lightning bolt (causes a sound wave)
You cannot have lightning without thunder!!

6. Key Points in ES for Mid-Latitude Low’s
Blizzards
Formed in mid-latitude cyclones
High wind speeds (35mph or more!)
Lots of precipitation
Dangerous snow drifts
Thunderstorms
Can create:
Hail
Flooding
High Winds
Lightning

7. TORNADOS!

8. How do they form?
When mT air mass from the gulf of MX collide with cooler dry air (cP) from the north
Season: spring/early summer
Forms a funnel shaped column of air
~¼ mile in diameter, 10 minutes or less
Wind speeds= up to 318 mph!
Tornadoes are rated on the Fujita scale
(F0 – F6: F0 is the weakest)
Fujita Scale is based on the width and wind speed of the funnel

9. Before a Tornado a Super cell will form (bad thunderstorm with winds in rotation)

10. Horizontal rotating air is rotated vertical due to strong updraft of warmer air

13. Hail

14. Fire Tornado- formed from a pre-existing fire causing intense updrafts and convergence of air at base level

15. Hurricanes

17. Tropical Depression Hurricane
Intense Tropical Cyclones (Depressions)produce energy by rapid condensation (cloud formation) (does not involve weather fronts!)
Develops late summer / early fall in the Atlantic between South America and Africa (Why then?)
Gathers in strength as they drift west across Atlantic in the tropics
CycloneDepressionTropical StormHurricane
Greater than 74 mph or 120 km/hr)=hurricane
Huge storm, ave. size= 400 miles (650 km) in diameter!
Strong winds, intense rainfall, and Storm Surges (extremely high tides)
Measured on the Saffir-Simpson Scale

19. Hurricane Tracks: In tropics (0-30 N) (EW)
*Once Hurricanes reach mid latitudes (30N+) , they are turned NE from prevailing westerlies

20. Hurricane Ivan – Typical storm track

21. A Storm Surge
Caused by intense hurricane winds bringing large volumes of ocean water into shore
Like a tsunami, the sea level can drop before the surge hits! (Don’t run to collect sea shells!) Beware of rough surf.
Storm Surge Video Clip

22. Hurricane far off shore
Rough surf
hundreds of
miles away.
Storm Surge

24. Some Key points to remember:
Hurricanes travel westward across Atlantic until 30 N when they take a turn and move NE
Hurricanes are fueled by warm water
*more evaporation=more condensation
More ENERGY released into atmosphere!
*In case of a Hurricane- DO NOT go to a base level of a home-Flooding is major issue
*Watch for Storm Surge!

25. Electrical Storms after Chilean Volcanic eruption (large volume of supplied heat and friction  severe storm activity!)