Meteorologists
What is the main job of a meteorologist?
Study the atmosphere to predict the weather
Lightning is static electricity that is built up in a cloud. What is thunder?
The heat from the lightning bolts is extremely hot, so it creates an explosion
What severe weather does a tornado usually result from?
Thunderstorms
What is the doppler radar and what does it do?
A radar system that detects the location and intensity of precipitation
What comes first, lightning or thunder? Why?
Lightning. Thunder is the sound lightning makes
What season or months are tornadoes most common?
Spring/early summer (April- June)
True or false: Meteorologists only talk on the news
False
2 things need to be present for a thunderstorm to form. What are they?
warm, moist air and unstable atmosphere
Name AT LEAST ONE state in "tornado alley"
Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas
What does a meteorologist study in order to predict the weather?
Wind speed, areas of high and low pressure, precipitation patterns, and temperatures
What is a Supercell thunderstorm?
Strong thunderstorms
Why do a lot of tornadoes happen in "tornado alley"?
The cool, dry air from Canada meets the warm, moist air from the Gulf
Name THREE ways meteorologists track hurricanes
Doppler radar, satellite imaging, hurricane hunters
How is lightning formed?
Static electricity in the clouds
What EF rating do meteorologists give to tornadoes with estimated wind speeds of 150 miles per hour?
EF 3