ATS 351, Spring 2010 Lab #11 Severe Weather – xx points Question 1 (10 points): Thunderstorm development a) Sketch and describe the stages of development of a single cell thunderstorm. About how long does a single cell thunderstorm last? b) How does a thunderstorm gust front form? What might you expect to see and feel if a gust front were to approach and pass you on the ground? 1 Question 2 (8 points): Types of thunderstorms In class, we discussed types of thunderstorms. Below each radar image, please identify the corresponding thunderstorm type it represents (squall line, MCC, single cell thunderstorms or bow echo). Figure 1 Figure 3 Figure 2 Figure 4 2 Question 3 (10 points): Storm Severity The two radar images below depict thunderstorms occurring over the U.S. Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 3 shows a large system moving over Kansas and Figure 4 shows scattered convection over the eastern United States. a) Which Figure shows severe thunderstorms and which ordinary thunderstorms? Below are two soundings. Sounding 1 Sounding 2 b) Based on lecture, which sounding corresponds best to the environment needed to produce the storms in Figure 3? Which sounding corresponds best to the storms in Figure 4? EXPLAIN your reasoning for both answers. HINT: Focus on the air in the troposphere. The wind barbs on the right hand side are plotted the same way as station plot wind barbs. 3 Question 4 (8 points) : Drylines The dryline is the boundary between warm, humid air and drier air. a) On the map below, draw a line where you believe the dryline should be found. b) Why are drylines favorable locations for thunderstorm formation? 4 Question 5 (8 points): Tornadoes and Hail a) What is the first crucial element in the formation of a tornado? b) What are often mistaken for tornadoes: c) What is required for larger hail to exist? d) What other process does hail aid in a thunderstorm? 5