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Table of Contents
Storms are violent atmospheric disturbances characterized by cloud cover, low barometric pressure, precipitation, and high winds. Lightning, thunder, and severe winds are generally present. Storms are caused by the moisture content of the air, and hail and lightning are common when storms occur.
See the fact file below for more information on Storms, or you can download our 28-page Storm worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
Storms
- Atmospheric disturbances range from regular rain showers and snowstorms to thunderstorms, wind-related disturbances, and extreme winds such as gales, tornadoes, sandstorms, and tropical cyclones.
- Meteorologically, a storm is a cyclone with a powerful low-pressure center, high winds ranging from 64-73 mph (103-117 kph), heavy precipitation, lightning, and thunder.
Main Types of Storms
- Depending on the region, several kinds of storms emerge. Few storms are described as severe, and even fewer as light.
- A thunderstorm is considered severe if it contains one or more of the following: one-inch hail, winds over 50 knots (57.5 mph), or a tornado.
- Every year, around 100,000 thunderstorms occur in the United States alone, with approximately 10% reaching severe levels.
- Storms are classified as heavy rain, thunderstorms, ice storms, blizzards, hail and wind, bomb cyclones, derecho, dust devils, dust storms, firestorms, gales, hyper canes, winter storms, snowstorms, hurricanes, tropical cyclones, and others.
- Thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter storms are the four basic forms of a storm.
- There are several kinds of storms, each with its own name and classification.
- Depending on the hemisphere, most tornadoes are cyclonic, which means they circle in the same direction as cyclones.
- Anticyclonic tornadoes rotating clockwise have been documented in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Consider Hurricane Katrina, one of the worst hurricanes and most severe storms to hit the United States.
- Katrina was a powerful Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that hit New Orleans and the surrounding regions in late August 2005, killing over 1,800 people and causing $125 billion in damage.
- A dust storm is a strong type of windstorm that typically occurs in dry and semi-arid locations. These storms arise when a strong wind, such as a gust front, drives dirt and loose sand off a dry surface: suspension and saltation carry soil and tiny particles from one spot to another.
- The drylands surrounding the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa are reported to contain the most airborne dust. Dust storms are becoming more frequent as a result of inadequate management of the drylands.
- In some parts of the United States, an ice storm, also known as a winter storm or a silver thaw, is a winter storm characterized by freezing rain.
- The National Weather Service defines an ice storm as having at least 0.25 in (6.4 mm) of ice on exposed surfaces. Ice storms are relatively mild rainstorms that occur at temperatures slightly below freezing.
- Ice storms generate freezing rain, which coats everything in ice, makes everything slick, and creates hazardous circumstances with a high chance of damage to buildings and autos.
- Ice storms are more common in the United States central, northeast, and southeast regions.
- A blizzard is an area that is covered in snow during a snowfall. Snowstorms are expected in Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Montana, and Minnesota.
- A derecho is a long-lasting, straight-line windstorm that is associated with a fast-moving cluster of severe thunderstorms known as a mesoscale convective system. Derecho storms can produce high winds, hurricane-force winds, torrential rainfall, flash floods, violent thunderstorms, and tornadoes.
- Derecho storms are powerful windstorms followed by severe thunderstorms. In a thunderstorm, when dry and wet air currents intersect, the temperature difference causes surrounding water to evaporate and drop quickly. This is referred to as a downburst, and the high winds might eventually turn into derechos.
- Derecho is derived from the Spanish word derecho (straight), which means “strong winds that move directly from their source.”
- Derechos, while less well-known than tornadoes, are nevertheless very destructive, with some reaching tornado speeds of 130 mph, posing a hazard to life and property.
- A type of precipitation is solid precipitation, such as hail. Though the two are commonly confused, it differs from ice pellets.
- A hail storm is a thunderstorm that produces hail that falls to the ground. Hail can have a diameter of 5mm (0.20 inches) or more.
- It is made up of hailstones, which are little balls or irregular bits of ice. Ice pellets are most prevalent in cold weather, and low surface temperatures inhibit hail generation significantly.
- Hail is made up of alternating layers of translucent ice that are at least 0.09 cm thick. They develop into hailstones when they go through a cloud and fall to the ground. Hail may be the size of a golf ball, ranging from 0.98 to 1.75 in (2.5-4.4 cm)
The Worst Kinds of Storm
- The term tropical relates to the fact that these systems nearly often originate over tropical waters.
- The word cyclone relates to the winds that spiral around their core clear eye, with winds blowing counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
- A tropical storm is the most dangerous type of storm. Wind speeds in tropical storms range from 40 to 73 miles per hour.
- Hurricanes are the most powerful and dangerous storms, with wind speeds surpassing 74 miles per hour. Hurricanes are also known as typhoons and tropical cyclones.
- Tropical storms are rapidly rotating systems that include a closed low-level air circulation, a low-pressure core, a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms, and strong winds that generate heavy rain and gusts.
- Depending on their location and severity, tropical storms are referred to as hurricanes, typhoons, tropical storms, cyclonic storms, tropical depressions, or simply cyclones.
- A violent storm or typhoon has sustained winds of more than 150 miles per hour (240 kilometers).
How Do Different Types of Storm Form?
- If the meteorological conditions are favorable, thunderstorms can occur anywhere at any time.
- These storms are particularly common in the mid-latitudes, where a warm wet air front collides with and borders cold air fronts.
- Storms arise when a low-pressure area forms and is surrounded by a high-pressure system.
- Small localized low-pressure zones caused by heated earth can result in modest disturbances such as dust devils and whirlwinds.
Types of Storms At Sea
- Humans cannot influence the weather, but they can anticipate how bad it will be. No one has been able to endure Mother Nature’s wrath.
- While you can’t make a storm go away, knowing what to expect can help you take the appropriate safeguards.
- Hurricane-like storms are known by different names in different regions of the world. Hurricanes, for example, are systems that originate across the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific Oceans.
- In the Western North Pacific and the Philippines, these systems are known as typhoons, but in the Indian and South Pacific Oceans, they are known as cyclones.
Facts about Summer Storms
- When warm wet air becomes unstable, it rises and expands. Because of the intense midday scorching and high humidity, thunderstorms are more common during summer afternoons, providing the moisture, instability, and hot temperatures required for the air to ascend.
- Tropical storms last for a long time and are immediately recognized by their names. Thunderstorms arise in the summer afternoons as the sun warms the air near the ground.
- In an unstable atmosphere, warm air bubbles ascend, resulting in clouds, precipitation, and lightning.
Facts About Winter Storms
- A blizzard is a snowfall accompanied by high winds and other circumstances that meet certain criteria.
- Winter storms are caused by the collision of two air masses with varying temperatures and moisture levels.
- Winter storms that bring violent winds, ice, sleet, and freezing rain are all instances of winter storms that can produce freezing rain and ice, little snowfall over a few hours, or a multi-day snowstorm. Winter weather may impair heat, electricity, and communications, and it can last for days or weeks at a time.
What You Should Do Before, During & After A Storm
- Preserve Food and Water: Storms vary in duration. Prepare for a week of food and water. Emergency supplies should be conveniently accessible. Canned products, protein bars, powdered milk, dried fruit, and bottled water should be stored. Check your emergency supplies for expiration regularly.
- Maintain Emergency Supplies: For power outages, get flashlights and batteries to prepare for a storm. Medical supply kits should also be easily accessible.
- Home Exterior Security: Storms can harm your home’s exterior if you’re unprepared. Storm shutters protect gutters and shutters from strong gusts. Secure your garbage cans and lawn furniture, park your car in the garage or get a weatherproof car cover.
- Inform and Evaluate Your Family: Educating your family about storm preparation is the most critical component. If you need to evacuate, make an emergency plan. Follow your community illness preparation strategy and have a backup plan in case the storm separates you from your family.
- Storm Protection: No matter the storm, stay indoors. Avoid drains, creeks, and waterways if you cannot reach a shelter. Avoid electronic gadgets, windows, doors, and fireplaces. Always close all windows.
- Storm Recovery: After the storm, watch the news and check the weather prediction before going outside. After the storm, count your family to make sure everyone is safe. Text your loved ones to let them know you’re safe. After checking for survivors, inspect your property for damage. Long-sleeved shirts and leggings will protect you while inspecting your home’s damage. Check on your neighbors and help victims after analyzing the damage.
Storm Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Storms across 28 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Storms, which are violent atmospheric disturbances characterized by cloud cover, low barometric pressure, precipitation, and high winds.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Storm Facts
- Look Out
- My Kinds
- Knowledge Gained
- Flash Report
- Red Alert
- Damage Caused
- My Proposal
- Rain Charm
- Stormy Areas
- Warning Signs
Frequently Asked Questions
What 3 things cause storms?
For a thunderstorm to form, three vital components are required: water vapor, an unstable atmosphere, and something that can cause the air to move. Moisture is essential for creating clouds and precipitation in order for lightning and thunderstorms to occur.
How long do storms last?
Each thunderstorm typically spans 15 miles and endures an average of 30 minutes – that’s a whopping 16 million storms per annum! Incredible, right? In fact, at this very moment, there are 1,800 thunderstorms actively taking place around the globe.
What was the strongest storm in history?
The most intense storm ever recorded to hit land happened on November 7. It was called Haiyan and it hit Guiuan in Eastern Samar. The wind speeds were 305 km/h according to the JTWC’s unofficial estimate.
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Link will appear as Storm Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, November 30, 2022
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.