Thunderstorms

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Thunderstorms
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What are thunderstorms???

• A thunderstorm is a storm with lightning and
  thunder. Its produced by a cumulonimbus cloud,
  usually producing strong winds, heavy rain and
  sometimes hail.

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WEATHER PHENOMENON CONTACT WITH THUNDERSTORMS
Temperature warm
Wind strong
Precipitation Heavy rain or sometimes snow, sleet, hail, no precipitation.
Clouds cumulonimbus
Front cold front
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Why do thunderstorms form??

• Thunderstorms are powered by the energy from the
  sun. All weather on Earth is caused by the suns
  uneven heating of the planets atmosphere. As the
  sun heats some parts of the atmosphere, the warm,
  lighter air in those regions rises, creating a
  zone of low atmosphere pressure. Cool air rushes
  in, replacing the air that has risen and
  producing winds. Such winds then carry all kinds
  of weather, from sunshine to rain, hail and snow.
• Thunderclouds need moisture and warm, rising air
  to develop. In sunny weather, the suns radiation
  warms the ground which in turn and heats air near
  the surface of Earth. The sun also evaporates
  water from the surface of seas, lakes and from
  wet ground. The warm air rises, taking the water
  vapor with it. As the air rises, it cools and the
  water vapor condenses to from clouds.

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• It can also develop in weather system called
  fronts, where winds blow warm and cold air masses
  together, and in mountainous regions, where warm,
  moist air is forced upward by mountain slopes.

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When and where do thunderstorms develop?

• Thunderstorms can strike anywhere on Earth,
  but they usually develop in locations with warm,
  humid weather. As a result, they occur most
  commonly in the tropics, regions around equator.
  In many areas of Central Africa, Southeast Asia,
  and northern South America, thunderstorms happen
  more than 100 days each year.
• Thunderstorms also occur commonly in
  temperate parts of the world, especially during
  the summer. In these areas, storms often break in
  the afternoon or evening, after the heat built
  up. Thunderstorms occur much less frequently in
  such cold and dry areas as the polar regions or
  deserts.

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The places on Earth with the most thunder

• Tororo, in Uganda, East Africa, holds the
  record for the greatest number of thunderstorms
  per year. Tororo experienced thunder an average
  of 251 days a year during the 10-days period
  between 1967 and 1976. The town of Bogor, on the
  island of Java, Indonesia, is another location
  that commonly experiences thunderstorms. In the
  United States, thunderstorms occur most commonly
  in the Southeast, particularly in Florida.

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SAFETY IN THUNDERSTORMS

• People can stay safe in a thunderstorm by
  following a few simple rules
• Seek shelter in a house or large building
• Dont use a telephone with a cord, expect during
  an emergency, because electric current from
  lightning can travel down wires.
• If you caught outdoor, never take shelter under a
  lone tree.
• Stay away from metal objects such as bicycles and
  dont use an umbrella.
• If you are swimming, leave the water as quickly
  as possible
• In the flat terrain like a beach, crouch to avoid
  being the tallest point in the landscape.
• It is safe to sit in a car, be sure to close the
  windows and dont touch any metal parts.

Lightning conductor protect buildings by
channeling electric current safely down to the
ground. A metal rod fixed to the tallest part of
a building is connected to a long cooper wire or
cable that runs into the ground. If lightning
strikes, electric current passes harmlessly down
the cable. In additional, tall buildings protect
shorter, neighboring buildings by attracting
lightning.