The Super Outbreak
Tornadoes
Thunderstorms
Unit 7 Vocabulary
Geography
100

Some think the super outbreak was caused by warmer-than-normal water temperatures here.

in the Gulf of Mexico

100

These two things collide to create ideal conditions for a storm.

Warm, wet air from the Gujlf of Mexico with the cold, dry mountain air.

100

What is a thunderstorm? 

A thunderstorm is a rain shower that includes lightning and thunder.

100

to hit something violently

collide

100

Name two countries other than Taiwan and Japan, that experience earthquakes. 

Indonesia, Turkey, Iran, Philippines, Mexico China, The United States, Chile, New Zealand, India Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Italy Greece...

200

Russell Schneider thinks the outbreak of violent tornadoes occurred largely because of this weather pattern.

La NiƱa

200

Follow these two steps to stay safe if you are at home when a tornado hits.

First, go to the lowest level you can, such as a basement.  Next cover your body with a blanket or mattress, or get under a piece of furniture, such as a heavy table. 

200

How many thunderstorms occur at any given moment worldwide?

Around 2,000 thunderstorms occur worldwide at any given moment.

200

the general weather conditions usually found in a particular place

climate

200

Typhoons are formed over this body of water.

The Pacific Ocean

300

Pable Saide has another theory about the cause of the super outbreak in 2011, especially these, which increased air temperature.

fires from land clearning for farming in Central America

300

This is when the column of air becomes a twister.

When it reaches the ground.

300

Why does lightning produce thunder?

Lightning transfers electricity so quickly that it breaks the sound barrier, creating thunder.

300

the most that has ever been counted or known in history

on record

300

Tornado Alley is identified as lying between these two geographical features.

Between the Rocky Mountains and the Gulf of Mexico.

400

What three aspects made the Tuscaloosa tornado so different and special?

It stayed on the ground for an unusually long time, it traveled 480 kilometers and it recorded winds of over 420 kilometers per hour.

400

This is what happends to form a vertical column.

Warm air rises and cold air moves downward.

400

Name the four major types of thunderstorms.

The four types of thunderstorms are single-cell, multi-cell, squall line, and supercell.

400

to reach, stretch, or continue

extend

400

Name one US State found in 'Tornado Alley.'

Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio.

500

April 27 was the worst day of the Super Outbreak in 2011.  How many twisters were recorded?  How many states did the tornadoes move through?  How many people were killed? 

There were more than 120 twisters.  They moved through six states.  They killed at least 316 people.

500

This is what forms a funnel cloud. 

The spinning column of air.

500

Why are thunderstorms both beneficial and dangerous?

Thunderstorms are beneficial because they bring rain and balance energy, but they are dangerous because they can cause fires, floods, and tornadoes.

500

the particular state that something or someone is in.  E.g.: These factors create ideal __________ for a storm.

conditions

500

Name one country in Central America

Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama