Thunderstorms and Lightning Preparedness Guide
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Questions and Answers

What is the average duration of a typical thunderstorm?

  • 30 minutes (correct)
  • 15 minutes
  • 60 minutes
  • 45 minutes

    • Thunderstorms are the most common type of severe weather in the United States.

    False

    How many thunderstorms are estimated to occur worldwide each year?

    16 million

    About 10 percent of thunderstorms are classified as ______.

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

    Match the following features with their associated risks during thunderstorms:

    <p>Flash flooding = Heavy rain Hail = Severe turbulence Tornadoes = Strong winds Strong winds = Thunderstorm downdrafts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a danger associated with thunderstorms?

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

    Thunderstorms can affect large geographic areas.

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

    How many thunderstorms occur at any moment around the world?

    <p>1,800</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What initiates a cloud-to-ground lightning strike?

    <p>An invisible channel of electrically charged air</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Lightning can only strike during heavy rainfall.

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

    What is the common misconception regarding rubber soles and lightning protection?

    <p>Rubber soles protect you from being struck by lightning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Lightning-strike victims carry no __________ charge.

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

    What is meant by 'heat lightning'?

    <p>Lightning from a thunderstorm that is too far away for thunder to be heard</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the myths about lightning with their corresponding facts:

    <p>Myth: Lightning only strikes in rain = Fact: Lightning can strike outside of heavy rain Myth: Rubber protects from lightning = Fact: Rubber provides no protection Myth: 'Heat lightning' is harmless = Fact: 'Heat lightning' is from distant thunderstorms Myth: Lightning victims carry a charge = Fact: Victims carry no charge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Increased wind can be a sign of an approaching thunderstorm.

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

    What should you contact for information on CPR and first aid classes?

    <p>Your local American Red Cross chapter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one essential ingredient for a thunderstorm to form?

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

    Thunderstorms are most likely to occur during winter months.

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

    Name one factor that can help lift air to form thunderstorms.

    <p>Fronts, sea breezes, or mountains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The _____ stage of a thunderstorm is characterized by heavy rain and frequent lightning.

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

    Match the following stages of a thunderstorm with their characteristics:

    <p>Developing Stage = Towering cumulus cloud and lasts about 10 minutes Mature Stage = Heavy rain, hail, and strong winds are likely Dissipating Stage = Rainfall decreases in intensity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When do thunderstorms frequently occur in the Plains states?

    <p>Late afternoon and at night</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Lightning is considered a danger during all stages of a thunderstorm.

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

    How long does the mature stage of a thunderstorm usually last?

    <p>10 to 20 minutes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the recommended method to estimate the distance to a lightning flash?

    <p>Count the seconds between the lightning and thunder, then divide by five.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Doppler radars can only detect rainfall intensity in a thunderstorm.

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

    What should you do if you can hear thunder?

    <p>Go to safe shelter immediately.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To stay safe during a thunderstorm, you should not take shelter in a ______.

    <p>small shed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following actions with their purposes during a thunderstorm:

    <p>Postpone outdoor activities = Avoid dangerous situations Check the weather forecast = Stay informed about storms Get out of boats = Prevent being in water during lightning Move to a sturdy building = Seek safe shelter from lightning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What feature indicates the leading edge of a storm's cool-air outflow on Doppler radar?

    <p>Thin light blue line</p> Signup and view all the answers

    You should stay in the water if you are caught in a thunderstorm.

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

    If lightning is occurring and a sturdy shelter is not available, you should get inside a ______ automobile.

    <p>hard top</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a Severe Thunderstorm Watch indicate?

    <p>Severe thunderstorms are likely to occur.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued when severe weather has been forecasted but not yet observed.

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

    What should families do to prepare for disasters?

    <p>Develop a family disaster plan.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A family should select an _________ friend to serve as a check-in contact during a disaster.

    <p>out-of-state</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following alerts with their meanings:

    <p>Severe Thunderstorm Watch = Potential for severe thunderstorms Severe Thunderstorm Warning = Severe weather has been reported Tornado Watch = Conditions are favorable for tornadoes Tornado Warning = A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one action families should take if they are required to evacuate?

    <p>Discuss their evacuation plan in advance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What basic safety feature should be installed in homes?

    <p>Smoke detectors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    It is important for families to know their community’s warning signals.

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

    What is the minimum amount of water that should be included in a disaster supplies kit per person per day?

    <p>1 gallon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A disaster supplies kit should include a 10-day supply of food that spoils easily.

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

    Name one tool that should be included in a disaster supplies kit.

    <p>battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio</p> Signup and view all the answers

    It is important for families to learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and _____ in emergency situations.

    <p>first aid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following items with their purpose in a disaster supplies kit:

    <p>First aid kit = Medical assistance Portable radio = Information updates Blanket = Warmth Non-spoiling food = Sustenance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following items is NOT recommended to be included in a disaster supplies kit?

    <p>Perishable foods</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Families should replace stored water and food every 3 months.

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

    What emergency number should children be taught to call?

    <p>911</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Thunderstorms and Lightning: A Preparedness Guide

    • Thunderstorms are localized storms, smaller than hurricanes or winter storms
    • The average thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts 30 minutes
    • Approximately 1,800 thunderstorms are happening globally at any given moment, totaling 16 million per year
    • All thunderstorms pose dangers despite their size, including lightning (which causes more fatalities than tornadoes), flash floods, strong winds, hail, and tornadoes.
    • Severe thunderstorms are only 10% of all thunderstorms, characterized by hail larger than ¾ inch, winds exceeding 58 mph, or tornadoes.
    • Lightning occurs with all thunderstorms, averaging 93 deaths and 300 injuries annually
    • Lightning causes hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to property and forests annually
    • Flash floods/floods are the leading cause of thunderstorm fatalities, accounting for nearly 140 deaths annually.
    • Most flash flood deaths occur after dark and when people are trapped in vehicles
    • Straight-line winds are the most prevalent cause of thunderstorm damage; capable of exceeding 100 mph, and downbursts can mimic tornado damage.
    • Large hail causes widespread property and crop damage, with a yearly cost of nearly $1 billion
    • Tornadoes, the most violent thunderstorms, generate winds exceeding 200 mph, causing an average of 80 deaths and 1,500 injuries per year. Most tornado fatalities happen when people do not evacuate mobile homes or automobiles.

    Life Cycle of a Thunderstorm

    • Thunderstorms have three stages: developing, mature, and dissipating
    • The developing stage is characterized by rising air forming towering cumulus clouds, little rain, lasts around 10 minutes, and occasional lightning
    • The mature stage includes hail, heavy rain, frequent lightning, strong winds, and tornadoes. It typically lasts 10-20 minutes but sometimes lasts longer
    • The dissipating stage is marked by decreasing rainfall intensity, and although lightning may still occur, strong winds may suddenly burst forth.

    When Thunderstorms are Most Likely

    • Spring and Summer are the periods with the greatest occurrences, peaking in the afternoon and evening hours.
    • Along the Gulf Coast and the Southeast, thunderstorms are most frequent in the afternoon
    • Plains states frequently experience late afternoon and evening thunderstorms.

    Thunderstorm Winds and Hail

    • Downbursts are intense, localized, descending winds found near thunderstorm centers, sometimes equivalent to tornado winds.
    • Hail forms when strong upward air currents carry water droplets to high altitudes where freezing occurs; the ice particles grow, eventually falling to earth as hailstones. Large hailstones fall at speeds exceeding 100 mph.

    Lightning: Nature's Fireworks

    • A thunderstorm's rising and falling air currents generate positive and negative electrical charges, building up and discharging as lightning.
    • The average lightning flash can power a 100-watt light bulb for over three months
    • Lightning most commonly occurs within a cloud or between a cloud and the ground.
    • Avoiding a lightning strike is possible by remaining indoors, avoiding tall objects, and not being in water.

    When a Thunderstorm is Approaching

    • Listen for thunder. If you hear thunder, seek shelter immediately.
    • Move indoors to a sturdy building or car. Do not seek shelter under trees or in convertibles
    • Unplug appliances and keep away from water, telephone lines, and other electrical sources.
    • Do not take a bath or shower

    When Thunderstorms are Coming

    • Know the risks and check the forecast. Be aware of the names of area cities and counties to be prepared.
    • Observe warning signs and use weather radios and/ or other media that provide warnings

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    Thunderstorms and Lightning PDF

    Description

    This quiz provides essential information about thunderstorms, including their characteristics, dangers, and safety measures. With insights into lightning fatalities, flash floods, and severe weather conditions, it aims to enhance your preparedness for these local storms. Test your knowledge on thunderstorm safety to better protect yourself and your property.

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