4. Weather is the state of the atmosphere in a
specific place and time
There are many components that affect the
weather
1. Temperature-How hot or cold the air is
2. Humidity-The amount of water that is in the
atmosphere
3. Air Pressure-The amount of force pressing down
on earth’s surface from the gases in the atmosphere
4. Wind-Air moving in a specific direction
5. An air mass is a large body of air that has
similar properties to the part of Earth’s
surface over which it develops
What type of air mass would develop over Africa?
What type of air mass would develop over
Antarctica?
A boundary between two air masses of
different moisture or temperature is a front.
6. Weather that may cause property damage or
loss of life
Types of severe weather are:
Thunderstorms
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Blizzards
Floods
7. A heavy storm that is accompanied by
rain, thunder, lightning and strong winds.
To create a thunderstorm you need
Moisture: cloud formation & rain
Unstable air: relatively warm air rises
rapidly
Lifting: from sea breezes and mountain
interaction
Thunderstorms are measured based on
their wind speeds.
8. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch can be issued
by the National Weather Service station
This type of storm has winds of at least 58 mph or
hail at least ¾ inch in diameter
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued
when a severe thunderstorm has actually
been observed
11. Go inside and stay away from windows,
doors, and porches
Stay away from trees and out of boats
Avoid plumbing fixtures and contact with
electrical fixtures
Stay off the phone!
13. A destructive rotating column of air with very
high winds and a funnel shaped cloud in contact
with the surface of the earth
Tornadoes form when a thunderstorm meets
horizontal winds which cause it to rotate.
Tornadoes can come one at a time or in clusters
They can also vary in size, length, width,
direction of travel, and speed
14. Tornadoes are measured based on their wind
speeds and by using the Enhanced Fujita
Scale
EF 0 65 to 85 MPH
EF 1 86 to 110 MPH
EF 2 111 to 135 MPH
EF 3 136 to 165 MPH
EF 4 166 to 200 MPH
EF 5 Over 200 MPH
18. Tornado Watch: weather conditions are
likely for tornadoes to form in our area
Tornado Warning: A tornado has been
sighted in our area
20. Tornadoes can occur in any state and any time of
year
They typically occur from March to August
The most common tornadoes are in “Tornado
Alley”
“Tornado Alley” - Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas,
Louisiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas
21. Seek shelter immediately when a tornado
warning is issued
Underground shelter is best
If not available, find an inside room, hallway, or
closet on the lowest floor and away from windows
Listen to the radio or watch TV for updates
on the storm
23. A severe storm that develops over tropical
oceans and whose winds are stronger that 120
km/hr that spiral in to an intense low pressure
center
Hurricanes begin when warm moist air over the
ocean rises rapidly
When moisture in this rising air condenses a
large amount of heat is released
The released heat increases the force of the
rising air
24. They form when they gather heat and energy
through contact with warm ocean waters
Water evaporates from the water and the
moisture produces a storm
They can also form when a wind pattern
occurs near the surface of the ocean and
spirals inward
25. Measured using the Safir-Simpson Scale
3 factors are considered
Wind Speed
Central Pressure
Storm Surge
26. Hurricanes can occur during any time of the
year
Hurricane season is from June 1st
to
November 30th
They can form in the Atlantic Ocean,
Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the
eastern Pacific Ocean
30. Know if the location you are in is a safe zone
or whether evacuation may be needed
Protect windows and glass with plywood
Turn off utilities
Have a supply kit including first aid, water,
canned goods, battery powered radio,
blankets, etc.
After evacuation, do not return until it has
been declared safe
31. A Hurricane Watch occurs when a hurricane is
possible within 36 hours
The storm is being tracked to predict where it may
hit
A Hurricane Warning is issued when it the
storm is expected to hit within 24 hours
Evacuation may be needed
32. Two sources of
forecasting weather
Data collected from
upper atmosphere
Data collected on the
Earth’s surface