Meteorology/Severe Storms

Topic of Meteorology: Severe Storms

Severe Storms
For this year's Meteorology event, the topic is "Severe Storms". Severe Storms is focused on the study of Severe Weather that affects the United States. It can be split into three main groups: Thunderstorms, Hurricanes, and Winter Storms.

Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms can occur anywhere that warm, moist air meets cooler air. The warm air moves rapidly upward and condenses, which forms cumulonimbus clouds. Lightning, thunder, and rain are associated with thunderstorms, and severe storms may be accompanied by heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and on occasion, tornadoes. For a more in-depth analysis of thunderstorms, proceed to this page: Severe Storms Thunderstorms

Hurricanes
Hurricanes are storm systems which have a large, low-pressure center. They spin counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Hurricanes often produce many thunderstorms with heavy rain and strong winds. They may also produce tornadoes and damaging storm surge. Hurricanes usually form over large bodies of warm water, and will become weaker if they travel over land, mainly because they lose the warm water energy source. For a more in-depth analysis of hurricanes, proceed to this page: Severe Storms Hurricanes

Winter Storms
Winter storms can produce precipitation such as snow, sleet, or freezing rain, rather than the rain and hail thunderstorms produce. These storms can happen outside of the winter season, but this is extremely rare. For a more in-depth analysis of winter storms, proceed to this page: Severe Storms Winter Storms

Look here for useful non-Severe Storm information

Links
More detailed Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Inland High Wind Model

Enhanced Fujita Scale

2010.Atmos Page

Resources
"The Atmoshpere" by Frederick K. Lutgens and Edward J. Tarbuck

"Meteorology Today" by Ahrens