TCSS Earth Systems Sample Assessment Items
Unit 5 – Concept 2 Severe Weather
SES5. Students will investigate the interaction of insolation and Earth systems to produce
weather and climate.
e. Describe the hazards associated with extreme weather events and climate change (e.g., hurricanes,
tornadoes, El Niño/La Niña, global warming).
Severe Weather
Multiple Choice
Fujita Intensity
Path
Duration
Scale
F0
up to 4 km
1-10 min
F1
up to 4 km
1-10 min
F2-F3
24 km +
20 min +
F4
80 km +
1h+
F5
80 km +
1h+
Use the scale to answer the questions.
Wind Speed
70-118 km/h
119-180 km/h
181-332 km/h
333-500 km/h
501-512 km/h
____ 1. How fast must the winds of a tornado be traveling to be classified as a F4 tornado?
a. 181-332 km/h
c. 500-512 km/h
b. 333-500 km/h
d. 119-180 km/h
Category
Winds (km/h)
Change in sea level
Damage
5
>250
>5.5 m
catastrophic
4
210-249
4.0-5.5 m
extreme
3
178-209
2.8-3.7 m
extensive
2
154-177
1.8-2.5 m
moderate
1
119-153
1.2-1.5 m
minimal
Use the scale to answer the questions.
____ 2. A hurricane has been classified as a category 3 hurricane. Which of the following is NOT
true?
a. the hurricane can not get any stronger
c. the hurricane can not get any weaker
b. the hurricane has winds of 200 km/h
d. the hurricane has sea level changes of 4.0
m
____ 3. A hurricane hits land with wind speeds of 225 km/h and sea level changes of 5.5 m. What
damage classification would it be labeled as according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale?
a. catastrophic
c. extensive
b. moderate
d. extreme
Short Answer
4. Briefly describe the main dangers of severe thunderstorms.
5. What are the three major hazards associated with hurricanes?
6. Which lettered area of the hurricane shown below would produce the greatest wind damage?
Explain.