Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
10 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Define: Thunderstorm
|
Any type of weather being accompanied by the presence of thunder and lightning, and originating from a cumulonimbus cloud
207.1.1 |
|
List the 3 stages of evolution of a thunderstorm
|
- cumulus
- mature - dissipation 207.1.1 |
|
Describe the cumulus stage in terms of air motion, size and duration, temperature structure, precipitation, turbulence, and icing
|
Air motion:
- updrafts everywhere Size and duration: - diameter up to 11km - tops 7-9km - duration 10-15 min Temperature: - parcel temp is warmer than surrounding air Precipitation: - none at surface Turbulence: - MDT-SEV Icing: - MDT MXD and/or CLR in cloud 207.1.2 |
|
Describe the mature stage in terms of air motion, size and duration, temperature structure, precipitation, turbulence, and icing
|
Air motion:
- both up and down drafts Size and duration: - average height 12km, between 9-18km - duration 30 min Temperature: - downdrafts cooler, updrafts warmer Precipitation: - surface pcpn now occurs, hail possible Turbulence: - SEV in and around cloud - gust front and microbursts possible Icing: - SEV MXD and/or CLR icing in cloud 207.1.2 |
|
Describe the dissipating stage in terms of air motion, size and duration, temperature structure, precipitation, turbulence, and icing
|
Air motion:
- all downward motion Size and duration: - tops lower and clouds break down - duration 30 min Temperature: - air inside cloud colder at every altitude Precipitation: - becomes light and ends, hail ceases totally Icing: - LGT to MDT RIME/MXD 207.1.2 |
|
List the 4 conditions essential for the formation of a thunderstorm
|
- high moisture content
- lifting process - condensation nuclei - unstable air to high altitude 207.2.1 |
|
List the 3 types of thunderstorms
|
- single cell
- multi cell - super cell 207.3.1 |
|
Describe single cell thunderstorms in terms of configuration, duration, and severity of weather
|
Configuration:
- typical 3 stages (cumulus, mature, dissipating) Duration: - short lived Severity of weather: - rarely produces destructive winds/hail 207.3.2 |
|
Describe multi cell thunderstorms in terms of configuration, duration, and severity of weather
|
Configuration:
- up and downdrafts interacting - many individual cells - squall lines - mesoscale convective systems MCS - mesoscale convective complexes MCC Duration: - can persist for more than 6 hours Severity of weather: - strong winds - hail - heavy rain - occasionally producing tornadoes 207.3.2 |
|
Describe super cell thunderstorms in terms of configuration, duration, and severity of weather
|
Configuration:
- cap head appearance - vertical wind shear allows up and downdrafts to coexist Duration: - can persist several hours - prolonged mature stage Severity of weather: - heavy rain and large hail - often produces tornadoes - always produces strong outflow winds 207.3.2 |