Storms
the most powerful thunderstorm that produces fierce, single updraft giants are called
supercell
a hurricane begins with a thunderstorm over a tropical sea is referred to as a
tropical disturbance
atmospheric pressure is measured with a
barometer
the study of weather and the atmospheric conditions that produce it
meteorology
the temperature at which water vapor in the air begins to condense is called
dew point
an abrubt discharge of electricity through the air
lightning
a region of very low pressure in the center of a hurricane
eye
Measures wind speeds near the earth's surface
anemometer
one of 3 major factors affecting the weather where the atmosphere obtains energy comes directly from the sun
thermal energy
the temperature at which frost begins to form is called
frost point
the three most common forms of lightning are: cloud to ground, ground to cloud and __________-
cloud to cloud
the cylinder of thick whirling clouds and rain that surround the hurricane's eye
eye wall
another name for a radio detection and ranging device
radar
Scientists that study weather
meteorologist
tiny particles of dust, soot, etc in the atmosphere that collect moisture, forming a raindrop
condensation nuclei
a narrow funnel of powerful rapidly whirling winds, usually created by a severe thunderstorm
tornado
hurricane damage is caused by wind, flooding, and _________
storm surge
air pressure is indicated on a map in two ways, as a code number in the station model and as curved lines called
isobars
one of 3 major factors affecting the weather where the atmosphere obtains energy due to the tilt of the sun
uneven distribution of heat
the amount of heat needed to change one gram of a liquid into a gas without changing its temperature
heat of vaporization
a small cousin of the tornado that form in the afternoons after the ground temperature has reached its highest point and has started to cool
dust devil
four stages of a hurricane are: tropical disturbance, tropical depression, ____________ and finally a hurricane
tropical storm
name of the scale used to estimate wind speed on a scale from 0 to 12
Beaufort Scale
the point when air can not hold any more moisture
saturation
the ratio used when comparing the amount of moisture in the air to the maximum amount it can hold under the same conditions
relative humidity