Answers in Summer 1995/96
True or False?
- The storm that dumped hail on many suburbs of Sydney on the 28th October was a multicell thunderstorm.
- Australia has the second highest occurrence of tornadoes.
- Lightning never strikes the same place more than once.
- The largest reported hail size that occurred in Australia were spawned at Kempsey with diameters of 14cm.
- The safest place during a storm is under a tree so you don't get wet or your car won't get damaged by hail.
- A common sign of approaching cold fronts are the development of cirrostratus.
- Highs and lows get reestablished as a result of changes in temperatures. They do not move from west to east.
- Light green tinges in storm clouds are pleasant sights for farmers and car dealers.
- Some tornadoes in the United States have been known to reach widths of up to 1 or 2 kilometres.
- The best thing to do if a tornado approaches is to locate yourself in the smallest central room in your house.
What does that word mean?
Do you have problems understanding some of the terminology used in storm news? If so, see if you could match the following terms to the appropriate definitions.
Terms
- stratocumulus
- anvil
- updraught
- multicell
- tropical cyclone
- cumulus
- supercell
- tornado
- cirrostratus
- rear flank
- wall cloud
Defintions
- relatively small funnel like circulation usually forming at the bases of severe thunderstorms and can cause severe or total destruction to anything in its path as a result of winds reaching speeds around 300-400km/hr
- large circulatory system (hundreds of kilometres wide) that forms over warm oceans in summer and produces torrential rain, very strong winds and causes extensive damage. It is famous for its central eye.
- puffy lower level clouds with tops in the form of a cauliflower shape and with darker bases. Such clouds can further develop into cumulonimbus or storm clouds
- the back section of the storm that normally is precipitation free and features cumuliform lumps and a flat base
- lower level clouds that develop in the form of rolls or relatively thin flat layers in the form of broken patches or globules
- airflow rushing in and up into a thunderstorm providing the necessary 'fuel' moisture necessary for storm development
- this type of thunderstorm consists of several cells in different stages of development and therefore means that the storm veers usually to the left of its cells' line of motion
- rotating dark cloud base from which tornadoes can develop
- relatively large thunderstorm producing most of the damage associated with severe thunderstorms. It can produce large hail, wall clouds and even tornadoes and has a relatively long life span. Common features include an overshooting bulge through the top of the storm and it is energy self sufficient.
- the section of the storm consisting of ice crystals that spreads out in the direction of the storm's motion
- wispy brilliant white cloud consisting mainly of ice crystals and is normally transparent
