Meteorologists - A person who studies the earth’s atmosphere and monitor, study, and forecast the weather.

  • Use direct observations
  • Use sensors

Ex: Thermometers – measures temperature

Anemometer – measures wind speed and direction

Also use…..radar, satellites, and computers

Geologists – The study of the history and structure of the earth as it is recorded in rocks.

Seismologists – The study of earthquakes.

Volcanologists – The study of volcanoes and the earth’s internal heat.

Ex: Geysers

Tornado Watch- means tornadoes are possible

Tornado Warning- means a tornado has been spotted or detected by radar

Weather radio- provides weather information on watches, warnings and other information related to storms. An alert will sound for watches and warnings. Usually battery operated.

Vortex- movement of liquid or gas in a spiral around a central axis

  • Causes: Uneven heating of earth’s surface, the force of gravity and earth’s rotation. (Note: all 3 sets air in motion)

Hurricanes:A massive, rotating storm that originates over tropical oceans and sustained winds of more than 74 MPH…..(74 to 155 mph)

  • Form when warm moist air rises over tropical oceans
  • Different Names for Hurricane (Depends where you live)
  1. Typhoon: Pacific Ocean ( western) and north of equator
  2. Cyclone: Indian Ocean and off coast of Australia
  3. Hurricane: North of equator in Atlantic and E. Pacific Oceans
  • Hurricane Season – June thru November
  • Like a tornado, has interior region of intense low pressure
  • Affects larger area than tornado
  • Usually 342 miles in diameter
  • Loses strength once over land because it gets energy from warm ocean water
  • Speeds – 5 to 15 mph but also can become stationary
  • Begins as a tropical storm (wind speeds 40 to 73 mph)
  • Once more than 73 mph, considered a hurricane
  • Scale used to measure strength of hurricane is called Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale
  • Names are used to identify Hurricanes – Ex: Ike, Hannah, Joseph, Emily. Names are alternated boy/girl.
  • Center of Hurricane is called – EYE
  1. Rising Temp
  2. Low winds
  3. No rainfall
  4. Low pressure
  5. Bright sky
  • Adjacent to eye is called EYE WALL
  1. Ring of spiraling clouds and thunderstorms that whirl around the storm’s center
  2. Heaviest rain and winds
  3. Can generate waves 10 meters High

Thunderstorms – Disturbance in the atmosphere that some or all have of these:

  • Lightning
  • Thunder
  • Gusty winds
  • Heavy rain
  • Hail
  • Severe Thunderstorms
  • Golf ball size hail
  • Flash floods
  • Tornadoes
  • Starting Point – Occurs when unequal heating of the earth’s surface causes warm, humid air to rise, creating an unstable environment in the atmosphere
  • Clouds – Cumulonimbus
  • Most Occur:
  • Spring and summer
  • S.E. part of USA – Florida
  • Warmest part of day or night (depends on location)
  • Can happen in winter (very rare)
  • Hail forms when temp falls below freezing in cloud

Tornadoes - Rotating column of air (vortex) that forms from thunderstorms over dry land under special conditions

  • Moist warm air meets cool dry air head on
  • Also called a “Twister”
  • Variety of sizes – Ex: Cylindrical form or Rope like funnel
  • Low pressure in tornado
  • High pressure outside - sucked in by tornado
  • Most damage caused by wind and debris
  • If strong enough – sucks cars, animals, etc…in them

☻Thunderstorms/Hurricane/Tornadoes

  • 3 Things in common:

1. Rain

2. High winds

3. Occurs certain times of year

Fun Facts:

  • USA – Most tornadoes in world and occur in “Tornado Ally”
  • ¾ occur during March – July (late afternoon)
  • Most occur in May
  • Most violent in April
  • Can stand still or as fast as 62 mph
  • Wind speed up to 217 mph
  • Waterspouts are tornadoes over water
  • Fujita Scale – measures tornadoes based on damage