thunderstorms and tornadoes
alexis keasler, matthew gross, and destiny dublin
1) What meteoroligcal events can cause thunderstorms?
thunderstorms form when an air mass becomes so unstable that it overturns(convects) violently. "Unstable" means that the air in the lowest layers is unusually warm and humid, or that the upper layers are unusually cool, or oftentimes, both.
2)What atmospheric conditions favor the development of tornadoes?
tornadoes form under a certain set of weather conditions in which three very different types of air come together in a certain way. near the ground lies a layer of warm and humid air, along with strong south winds. colder air and strong west or southwest winds lie in the upper atmosphere. temperature and moisture differences the surfaces and the upper levels create what we call instability. a necessary ingredient for tornado formation.
3)What is the classfication system used for tornadoes?
Tornadoes are classified in the United States on a scale called the Fujita-Pearson Scale, named after Professor Fujita of the Univeristy of Chicago and Dr. Allen Pearson, director of the National Severe Storm Forecast Center. There are severe levels on the fujita scale, from zero to six (six being the strongest). Remember that the size of the tornado does not necessarily show how destructive it is. Small tornadoes can be more destructive than large ones.
4)Where in the U.S do most tornadoes commonly occur and when?
In the middle of North America happen at any time of the year.
5)How do tornadoes cause damage?
By their fuijta scale number(f-whatever) the higher the number the more ferocious it is.