StormsChapter 8Section 4

StandardsS 6.2d Students know

earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and floods change human and wildlife habitats

Anticipatory Set What types of storms have you been in?

Label them on your white boards

Language of the DisciplineStorm

Thunderstorm

Lightning

Tornado

Hurricane

Storm surge

Thunderstorms Small storm with heavy precipitation and frequent

thunder and lightning

Thunderstorms form in large cumulonimbus clouds (Thunderheads)

Form in the spring and summer

Form on hot, humid days

Lightning: areas of positive and negative electrons charges build up

Thunder: lightning bolt can head the air to 30,000 *C. The headed air expands suddenly and explosively. Thunder is the sound of that explosion

Thunderstorm DamageFlood low lying areas

Ligthning strikes the ground

It can start forest fires

Creates a powerful electric shock when it strikes a human or animalUnconsciousness, serious burns, or heart failure

Floods can wash away habitats for animals and humans

Thunderstorm SafetyThe safest place is indoors

Do not touch telephones, electrical appliances or plumbing fixtures

Usually safe to stay in a car with a hard top

Electricity will flow over the car and to the ground and not touch you

Avoid: where lightning might strike, objects that conduct electrical currents and bodies of water

TornadoesRapidly whirling, funnel shaped clouds that

reaches down from a storm cloud to touch Earth’s surface

Over water it is called a waterspout

Usually brief but can be deadly

Touch the ground for 15 minutes

Wind speeds is the most intense in a tornado

Tornado FormationDevelop in thick cumulonimbus clouds- same

clouds that bring thunderstorms

Spring and early summer

800 tornadoes occur in the US every year. It is called tornado alley

Tornados occur in every state, even California!

The safest place to be during a tornado is a storm shlter or basement of a well built building

SnowstormsMost precipitation begins in clouds as snow. If

the air is colder than 0*C all the way to the ground, the precipitation falls as snow.

Occur in high elevation for California

California: depends on snow for fresh water when it melts in the spring and summer.

Imagine: being caught in a snowstorm when the wind suddenly picks up. Snow is blowing sideways and picks it up from the ground and suspends it in the air. Sound fun?

What to do?IF you are caught in a snowstorm, try to find

shelter from the wind.

Cover exposed parts of your body

Car: keep the car running as long as the exhaust pipe is clear

HurricanesA tropical cyclone that has winds of 119 kilometers per

hour or higher

Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans

Begins over warm ocean water as a low pressure area or tropical disturbance

Becomes a tropical disturbance then becomes a hurricane if it worsens

At the center is a ring of clouds called the “eye” of the storm. The wind gets stronger as the eye approaches and then the weather suddenly changes. The air grows calm and the skies clear. Then it starts again.

Hurricanes Last about a week or more

They bring high waves and severe flooding and wind damage

Storm surge: dome of water from where the hurricane lands

Washing away beaches, destroying buildings, eroding coastlines

If you hear a hurricane warning and are told to evacuate, leave the area immediately.

Checking for Understanding

How can lightning be dangerous?

How can snowstorms be dangerous?

How can hurricanes be dangerous?

Guided PracticeIndependent Practice

Guided Practice- Worksheet

Stop! Check your answers with your teacher

Independent Practice- Workbook