Vocabulary
Use the word 'blizzard' in a sentence.
It is dangerous to drive during a blizzard because of all the snow and ice on the road.
In what month and year did the Big Storm begin?
March of 1982
What did the barometers show?
Extremely low air pressure
Look at the map on page 188. What do the red areas show?
Areas of tornado activity
Use the word 'forecaster' in a sentence.
The forecaster predicted that it would rain tomorrow.
What mountain range did it affect on March 31st?
The Sierra Nevada Mountains
How did the forecasters predict what the storm would do next?
They used computer equipment at the National Weather Service.
How big was the hail that fell during the storm?
It was the size of golf balls.
Use the word 'mass' in a sentence.
I saw a mass of fish in the ocean.
Why did the rain change to snow in the mountains of California?
Because the temperatures turned colder.
Forecasters found a mass of cold air from ________ and a mass of warm air from
the __________.
Canada, Gulf of Mexico
What happened to travelers in Michigan on April 4th and 5th?
They were stranded and had to spend the night in high school gyms.
Use the word 'cold front' in a sentence
In a cold front, cold air pushes warm air away.
Define what a 'powerhouse' is and use it in a sentence.
Something that is extremely powerful.
Argentina is a powerhouse in soccer because they win many games and championships.
Why was it dangerous for the cold air and warm air to meet?
It could cause a powerful low pressure system, which could produce severe weather.
How did the storm change daily life in New York?
Traffic snarled, people had to walk to work and ballgames were cancelled.
Use the word 'barometer' in a sentence.
The barometer showed that the air pressure was low today.
Why were vans and campers overturned in Colorado?
The strong winds knocked them over.
What was the result of the violent tornadoes in Paris, Texas?
Destroyed houses and churches
Why do you believe it is important to study the Big Storm, even 42 years later?
It teaches us the importance of being prepared and the type of damage these storms
can cause.