Meteorological Terms and Tornado Mechanics
17 Questions
100 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is air pressure?

Air pressure is the weight of the column of air that extends from the ground to the top of the atmosphere.

What instrument measures wind speed?

An anemometer

What does a barometer measure?

A barometer measures air (barometric) pressure.

What is the average air pressure at sea level?

<p>29.92</p> Signup and view all the answers

Most tornadoes in the Southern Hemisphere rotate clockwise.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

Counterclockwise motion is the direction in which tornadoes usually rotate in the Northern Hemisphere.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of cloud is associated with thermal convection?

<p>Cumuliform cloud</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a cyclone?

<p>A cyclone is a closed, rotating wind around an area of low atmospheric pressure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many degrees are in a circle?

<p>360 degrees</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the EF-scale classify?

<p>The EF-scale classifies tornado wind speeds into five categories.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the equator?

<p>The equator is an imaginary circle around the Earth, halfway between the North and South Poles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the eye of a cyclonic storm?

<p>The eye is the calm, roughly circular center of a cyclonic storm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the F-scale rate?

<p>The F-scale rates wind estimates based on damage caused.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a forecast?

<p>A forecast is a prediction of future weather made by meteorologists.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Dr. Theodore Fujita?

<p>Dr. Tetsuya Theodore (Ted) Fujita was a pioneering meteorologist.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a funnel cloud?

<p>A funnel cloud is a rotating column of wind that does not touch the ground.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a gustnado?

<p>A gustnado is a weak eddy of wind associated with a thunderstorm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Meteorological Terms and Devices

  • Air Pressure: Measurement of the weight of air above a given point; low in tornadoes.
  • Anemometer: Instrument for measuring wind speed; prone to destruction in severe tornadoes.
  • Barometer: Device that quantifies air pressure; measures weight of air column above it.
  • Barometric Pressure: Another term for air pressure; average sea level pressure is 29.92 inches; decreases before storms and tornadoes.

Tornado Mechanics

  • Clockwise Motion: Tornado rotation direction in the Southern Hemisphere; moves in the same direction as clock hands.
  • Counterclockwise Motion: Common tornado rotation direction in the Northern Hemisphere; opposite to clock hands.
  • Cyclone: Rotating wind system around low atmospheric pressure; follows clockwise in Southern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in Northern Hemisphere.

Weather Phenomena

  • Cumuliform Cloud: Cloud type characterized by mounds or towers; associated with thermal convection.
  • Funnel Cloud: Rotating wind column that does not make contact with the ground; has the potential to develop into a tornado.
  • Gustnado: A weak horizontal swirling wind, often short-lived.

Tornado Classification Scales

  • EF-Scale: Rates tornadoes based on wind speed:
    • EF-0: 65-85 mph
    • EF-1: 86-110 mph
    • EF-2: 111-135 mph
    • EF-3: 136-165 mph
    • EF-4: 166-200 mph
    • EF-5: Over 200 mph.
  • F-Scale: Rates tornadoes based on damage caused; ranges from F-0 (40-72 mph) to F-5 (261-318 mph).

Geographic Reference

  • Equator: Imaginary line equidistant from North and South Poles; divides the Earth into northern and southern hemispheres.

Notable Figures

  • Dr. Tetsuya Theodore Fujita: Influential meteorologist; discovered multiple vortex tornadoes and created the F-scale for measuring tornado damage linked to wind speed.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Description

Test your knowledge on key meteorological terms and the mechanics of tornadoes. This quiz will cover important devices used in weather measurement as well as the phenomena associated with tornadoes. Challenge yourself to learn about air pressure, wind systems, and cloud types.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser