Meteorologists - A person who studies the earth’s atmosphere and monitor, study,
and forecast the weather.
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Use direct observations
Use sensors
Ex: Thermometers – measures temperature
Anemometer – measures wind speed and direction
Also use…..radar, satellites, and computers
Geologists – The study of the history and structure of the earth as it is recorded
in rocks.
Seismologists – The study of earthquakes.
Volcanologists – The study of volcanoes and the earth’s internal heat.
Ex: Geysers
Tornado Watch- means tornadoes are possible
Tornado Warning- means a tornado has been spotted or detected by radar
Weather radio- provides weather information on watches, warnings and other
information related to storms. An alert will sound for watches and warnings.
Usually battery operated.
Vortex- movement of liquid or gas in a spiral around a central axis
 Causes: Uneven heating of earth’s surface, the force of gravity and earth’s
rotation. (Note: all 3 sets air in motion)
Hurricanes:
A massive, rotating storm that originates over tropical oceans
and sustained winds of more than 74 MPH…..(74 to 155 mph)
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Form when warm moist air rises over tropical oceans
Different Names for Hurricane (Depends where you live)
1. Typhoon: Pacific Ocean ( western) and north of equator
2. Cyclone: Indian Ocean and off coast of Australia
3. Hurricane: North of equator in Atlantic and E. Pacific Oceans
Hurricane Season – June thru November
Like a tornado, has interior region of intense low pressure
Affects larger area than tornado
Usually 342 miles in diameter
Loses strength once over land because it gets energy from warm ocean
water
Speeds – 5 to 15 mph but also can become stationary
Begins as a tropical storm (wind speeds 40 to 73 mph)
Once more than 73 mph, considered a hurricane
Scale used to measure strength of hurricane is called Saffir/Simpson
Hurricane Scale
Names are used to identify Hurricanes – Ex: Ike, Hannah, Joseph, Emily.
Names are alternated boy/girl.
Center of Hurricane is called – EYE
1. Rising Temp
2. Low winds
3. No rainfall
4. Low pressure
5. Bright sky
Adjacent to eye is called EYE WALL
1. Ring of spiraling clouds and thunderstorms that whirl around the storm’s
center
2. Heaviest rain and winds
3. Can generate waves 10 meters High
Thunderstorms – Disturbance in the atmosphere that some or all have of these:
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Lightning
Thunder
Gusty winds
Heavy rain
Hail
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Severe Thunderstorms
o Golf ball size hail
o Flash floods
o Tornadoes
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Starting Point – Occurs when unequal heating of the earth’s surface causes
warm, humid air to rise, creating an unstable environment in the atmosphere
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Clouds – Cumulonimbus
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Most
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Occur:
Spring and summer
S.E. part of USA – Florida
Warmest part of day or night (depends on location)
Can happen in winter (very rare)
Hail forms when temp falls below freezing in cloud
Tornadoes - Rotating column of air (vortex) that forms from thunderstorms over
dry land under special conditions
 Moist warm air meets cool dry air head on
 Also called a “Twister”
 Variety of sizes – Ex: Cylindrical form or Rope like funnel
 Low pressure in tornado
 High pressure outside - sucked in by tornado
 Most damage caused by wind and debris
 If strong enough – sucks cars, animals, etc…in them
☻Thunderstorms/Hurricane/Tornadoes
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3 Things in common:
1. Rain
2. High winds
3. Occurs certain times of year
Fun Facts:
 USA – Most tornadoes in world and occur in “Tornado Ally”
 ¾ occur during March – July (late afternoon)
 Most occur in May
 Most violent in April
 Can stand still or as fast as 62 mph
 Wind speed up to 217 mph
 Waterspouts are tornadoes over water
 Fujita Scale – measures tornadoes based on damage