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?
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Most tornadoes in the Southern Hemisphere rotate clockwise.
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Counterclockwise motion is the direction in which tornadoes usually rotate in the Northern Hemisphere.
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What type of cloud is associated with thermal convection?
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What is a cyclone?
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How many degrees are in a circle?
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What does the EF-scale classify?
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What is the equator?
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What is the eye of a cyclonic storm?
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What does the F-scale rate?
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What is a forecast?
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Who was Dr. Theodore Fujita?
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What is a funnel cloud?
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What is a gustnado?
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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
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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.
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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.
