Weather vs. Climate
What describes the state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place?
Weather
What is a rotating column of air often seen in tornadoes and hurricanes?
Answer: A vortex
Which two disturbances occur during a thunderstorm?
Answer: Lightning and Thunder
Where do tornadoes most often form in the United States?
Answer: Tornado Alley
Where do hurricanes form?
Answer: Over warm tropical water
What term refers to the average weather conditions over a long period?
Climate
What is the calm region at the center of a hurricane called?
Answer: The eye
Why do thunderstorms occur?
Answer: Warm, moist air rises into the troposphere
What kind of air does warm, moist air meet to form a tornado?
Answer: Cool, dry air
What is a hurricane called in the Indian Ocean?
Answer: A cyclone
What is the key difference between weather and climate?
The length of time
What two factors contribute to the formation of a vortex?
Answer: Unequal heating of winds and the Earth’s rotation
What causes lightning in thunderstorms?
Answer: A charge imbalance in the clouds
What scale is used to measure tornado damage?
Answer: The Enhanced Fujita Scale
What is the minimum wind speed required for a storm to be classified as a hurricane?
Answer: 119 kph or 74 mph
What type of data is used to study climate instead of weather?
Answer: Patterns in weather found using Long-term data
What announcements should residents listen to for storm safety?
Answer: Storm watches and warnings
What two types of precipitation are often associated with thunderstorms?
Answer: Rain and hail
What term is used for a tornado warning or watch issued by meteorologists?
Answer: An alert
What scale is used to measure hurricane damage?
Answer: The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
Name one tool used to observe and study weather patterns.
A weather satellite, barometer, or thermometer
What are two specific weather phenomena that feature vortices?
Answer: Tornadoes and hurricanes
Name one safety rule for protecting yourself during a thunderstorm.
Answer: Stay indoors, avoid tall objects, or avoid water
What is the maximum wind speed a tornado can reach?
Answer: 350 kph or 217 mph
What two key factors are needed for a hurricane to form?
Answer: Warm, moist air and warm ocean water