Thunderstorm and Severe Weather

Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm, often referred to simply as a storm, is a weather phenomenon
characterized by thunder, lightning, heavy rain, and strong winds.

Thunderstorm Formation
Thunderstorms originate from the interaction of warm, moist air rising into the
atmosphere and cooler air sinking. Several key ingredients are required for their
formation:
1. Moisture: Moisture is essential as it provides the necessary fuel for thunderstorm
development. Warm, moist air near the Earth's surface rises and cools as it ascends.
2. Instability: Atmospheric instability occurs when warm air near the surface is much
warmer and buoyant than the cooler air aloft. This temperature difference creates
an unstable atmosphere that encourages upward motion.
3. Lift: A mechanism to lift the warm, moist air is crucial. This lift can result from
several factors, including: Frontal Boundaries, Topography, and Convergence.

The Life Cycle of a Thunderstorm

1.Developing Stage: The developing stage of a thunderstorm is marked by a cumulus

cloud that is being pushed upward by a rising column of air (updraft). The cumulus
cloud soon looks like a tower (called towering cumulus) as the updraft continues to
develop. There is little to no rain during this stage but occasional lightning.

2. Mature Stage: During this phase, the cumulus cloud continues to grow vertically,
reaching into the higher levels of the atmosphere. As the cloud grows, it becomes a
cumulonimbus cloud, characterized by its anvil shape. In the mature stage, the storm
produces lightning, heavy rain, hail, and strong winds.

3. Dissipating Stage: Eventually, the updraft of warm air weakens, and the storm
enters its dissipating stage. As the storm loses its source of energy, rain and lightning
decrease, and the cloud begins to dissipate.
Types of Thunderstorms

Single- cell Thunderstorm

Often called “popcorn” convection, single-cell thunderstorms are small, brief, weak
storms that grow and die within an hour or so. They are typically driven by heating
on a summer afternoon. Single-cell storms may produce brief heavy rain and
lightning.

Multi-cell Thunderstorm
A common, garden-variety thunderstorm in which new updrafts form along the
leading edge of rain-cooled air (the gust front). Individual cells usually last 30 to 60
minutes, while the system as a whole may last for many hours. Multi-cell storms may
produce hail, strong winds, brief tornadoes, and/or flooding.

Squall Line
A squall line is a group of storms arranged in a line, often accompanied by “squalls”
of high wind and heavy rain. Squall lines tend to pass quickly and are less prone to
produce tornadoes than are supercells. They can be hundreds of miles long but are
typically only 10 or 20 miles wide.

Super Cell
A supercell is a long-lived (greater than 1 hour) and highly organized storm feeding
off an updraft (a rising current of air) that is tilted and rotating. This rotating updraft -
as large as 10 miles in diameter and up to 50,000 feet tall - can be present as much
as 20 to 60 minutes before a tornado forms. Scientists call this rotation a
mesocyclone when it is detected by Doppler radar. The tornado is a very small
extension of this larger rotation. Most large and violent tornadoes come from
supercells.

Mesoscale Convective Sysytem

A collection of thunderstorms that act as a system. An MCS can spread across an
entire state and last more than 12 hours. On radar one of these monsters might
appear as a solid line, a broken line, or a cluster of cells.

Mesoscale Convective Vortex

A low-pressure center within an MCS that pulls winds into a circling pattern, or
vortex. With a core only 30 to 60 miles wide and 1 to 3 miles deep, an MCV is often
overlooked in standard weather analyses. But an MCV can take on a life of its own,
persisting for up to 12 hours after its parent MCS has dissipated. This orphaned MCV
will sometimes then become the seed of the next thunderstorm outbreak. An MCV
that moves into tropical waters, such as the Gulf of Mexico, can serve as the nucleus
for a tropical storm or hurricane.

Mesoscale Convective ComplexA particular type of MCS, an MCC is a large, circular,

long-lived cluster of showers and thunderstorms identified by satellite. It often
emerges out of other storm types during the late-night and early-morning hours.
MCCs can cover an entire state
Thunderstorm Detection and Forecasting

Satellites

Most areas of Earth can be seen by weather satellites. Satellites take pictures of
Earth at regular intervals from space, telling us where clouds are located.
Meteorologists watch these pictures over time to watch for rapidly growing clouds, a
clue to a possible thunderstorm. Satellites also can tell us the temperature of the
clouds. Clouds with cold tops are usually very high up in the atmosphere, and could
mean the cloud is tall enough to be a thunderstorm. Meteorologists also track how
these clouds move to see what areas will be affected by the storm next.

Radars

Weather radar is very important to meteorologists because it can detect rain and
severe weather even when it is cloudy or dark.

Doppler radar sends out electromagnetic wave fields that can be reflected back to
the radar by things in the air like precipitation. The amount of energy that is
reflected back can tell us how heavy the rain might be or tell us there is hail. Doppler
radar can also show us how the wind is blowing near and inside the storm. This is
helpful in understanding what kinds of hazards the thunderstorm might have
(tornado, microburst, gust fronts, etc.) associated with it. It also helps us understand
how the thunderstorm is feeding itself.

Computer Forecast Models

These models are designed to calculate what the atmosphere will do at certain
points over a large area, from the Earth's surface to the top of the atmosphere. Data
is gathered from weather balloons launched around the globe twice each day, in
addition to measurements from satellites, aircraft, ships, temperature profilers and
surface weather stations.

Ensemble Forecasting

Another technique being developed is the concept of “ensemble forecasting.”

Instead of using just one model, a supercomputer runs several models at one time –
an ensemble. If each run looks similar, then we can assume the weather will likely
follow the rules. If the runs look different in different places, then we understand
that something in the atmosphere is causing the weather to misbehave.

Thunderstorm Hazards and Precautions

Thunderstorms are a natural phenomenon that can pose several hazards. Here are
some of the dangers associated with thunderstorms:

Lightning: One of the most recognizable features of thunderstorms, lightning can

cause fatalities, start fires, and damage electrical systems.
Heavy Rain and Flash Flooding: Intense rainfall during thunderstorms can lead to
flash flooding, which is responsible for more fatalities each year than hurricanes,
tornadoes, or lightning.

Hail: Thunderstorms can produce hailstones that can be damaging to vehicles, crops,
and windows, and can be harmful to livestock and wildlife caught in the open.

High Winds: Severe thunderstorms can generate strong straight-line winds that can
knock down trees, power lines, and cause damage to structures.

Tornadoes: Some thunderstorms can spawn tornadoes, which can cause extensive
damage and pose a significant threat to life and property.

Precautions

Immediate Actions: As soon as you hear thunder, alert yourself. Perform all the prior
requirements and safety measures, Switch off the lights and gas buttons. Prevents
yourself from standing or leaning to the walls of the roof.

Avoid tall objects: There are high chances that lightning during the thunderstorm
strikes the tall objects. So, if you are outside or driving, remain inside your car. Don’t
take shelter under a tree or tall objects. Also, try to stay away from metallic things as
they are conducting in nature and more prone to striking.

Remain inside the home: It is highly recommended that if you are at home or inside
a four roof, you should not let yourself out during a thunderstorm. It is better to be
inside rather than risking your life in such a situation. Wait for the storm to stop and
then safely go out in case of an emergency.

Avoid electrical appliances: During a thunderstorm, Switch off the power supply of
your home. Active power supply during a thunderstorm increases the chances of a
short circuit to happen. It might even lead to fire, causing the whole building to burn
due to it.

Stay away from windows: A thunderstorm is also known for its strong winds, so it is
at high risk when you stand along with glass doors or windows. It is better to close all
the windows and stay safe inside the four walls.

Stay Updated: You must keep yourself updated before any thunderstorm comes to
your region. Be sure you prepare yourself before its ill effects.

As it is said,” Prevention is better than cure.” It is better to try to prevent all the risks
that can be caused by thunderstorms.
Severe Weather

Severe weather or extreme weather refers to extreme atmospheric conditions that

can cause significant disruptions, damage, or danger to human life and property.
These events can be short-lived, like tornadoes, deep freezes, or heatwaves, or they
can persist over longer periods due to a buildup of weather-related incidents.

Causes of Severe Weather

Extreme Temperature: Rising global temperatures contribute to extreme weather.

The Earth’s increasing temperature, combined with intense sunshine, creates low-
pressure systems that can lead to hurricanes and other tropical storms.

High Atmospheric Winds: The jet stream, a fast-flowing air current in the upper
atmosphere, plays a crucial role in global weather patterns.

 It forms where cold air from the poles meets warm tropical air.
 These winds help control weather systems, moving them from west to east in
the northern hemisphere and east to west in the southern hemisphere.
 Occasionally, the jet stream brings unfavorable weather conditions, leading to
phenomena like tornadoes.

Where Pressure Systems Meet: When different pressure systems collide, it can
result in extreme weather events. For example, the clash between cold and warm air
masses can lead to severe storms.

Sharp Changes in Altitude: Abrupt changes in elevation can cause localized extreme
weather. Mountainous regions often experience rapid shifts in weather due to their
topography.

Improper Weather Systems: Disruptions in typical weather patterns can lead to

extreme events. Factors like ocean currents, land use changes, and deforestation can
alter local climates.

Climate Change: Human-induced climate change contributes significantly to extreme

weather. Examples include heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall events. Rising
greenhouse gas emissions exacerbate these conditions.

Global Warming: Global warming influences extreme weather events. As

temperatures rise, the likelihood of heatwaves, storms, and other extreme
phenomena increases.

Types of Severe Weather

Tornado: A tornado is a narrow, violently rotating column of air that extends from a
thunderstorm to the ground. Because wind is invisible, it is hard to see a tornado
unless it forms a condensation funnel made up of water droplets, dust and debris.
Tornadoes can be among the most violent phenomena of all atmospheric storms we
experience. Tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, including Australia, Europe,
Africa, Asia, and South America. Even New Zealand reports about 20 tornadoes each
year. Two of the highest concentrations of tornadoes outside the U.S. are Argentina
and Bangladesh.

Thunderstorm: A thunderstorm is a rain shower during which you hear thunder.

Since thunder comes from lightning, all thunderstorms have lightning. A
thunderstorm is classified as “severe” when it contains one or more of the following:
hail one inch or greater, winds gusting in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph), or a tornado.
Worldwide, there are an estimated 16 million thunderstorms each year, and at any
given moment, there are roughly 2,000 thunderstorms in progress. There are about
100,000 thunderstorms each year in the U.S. alone. About 10% of these reach severe
levels.

Hurricane: A hurricane is a type of storm known as a tropical cyclone. These

powerful weather systems form over tropical or subtropical waters. Hurricanes
originate in the Atlantic basin, which includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and
Gulf of Mexico. They can also form in the eastern North Pacific Ocean and, less
frequently, in the central North Pacific Ocean. Hurricane Season typically runs from
June 1 to November 30.

Typhoon: A typhoon is a tropical cyclone that develops between 180° and 100°E in
the Northern Hemisphere. These powerful storms produce sustained hurricane-force
winds of at least 119 km/h (74 mph). Typhoons primarily occur in the Northwestern
Pacific Basin, which accounts for nearly one-third of the world’s tropical cyclones.
Typhoons are steered by the subtropical ridge, impacting countries like the
Philippines, China, and Japan. Southern China has a long history of typhoon impacts,
and Taiwan holds the record for the wettest known typhoon in the northwest Pacific.

Blizzard: A blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterized by frigid temperatures,

howling winds, and reduced visibility. A blizzard lasts for more than three hours. It
involves large amounts of falling snow.

Blizzards have winds of at least 56 kilometers (35 miles) per hour. These strong
winds cause snow to blow around, reducing visibility. During a blizzard, visibility
drops to less than 0.4 kilometers (0.25 miles). Objects become difficult to see beyond
this limited distance.

Flood: A flood occurs when water overflows or soaks land that is typically dry. Floods
are the second-most widespread natural disaster after wildfires. Floods can develop
gradually over hours or days, allowing residents time to prepare or evacuate.
However, some floods occur suddenly and with little warning. When floodwaters
recede, affected areas are often covered in silt and mud, which can benefit
agriculture.

Heat Wave: A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which
may be accompanied by high humidity, especially in maritime climates. To be
classified as a heat wave, the temperatures must significantly exceed the average for
the region and season, and the conditions must persist for at least two consecutive
days. Heat waves can have severe impacts on ecosystems, human health, and
infrastructure, and are considered a major weather-related cause of death
worldwide.

Lightning: Lightning is a natural phenomenon formed by electrostatic discharges

through the atmosphere between two electrically charged regions. Lightning is
considered a component of severe weather. According to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), lightning is a significant weather phenomenon
that can occur in various severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms,
hurricanes, and even snowstorms.

The presence of lightning itself doesn’t define a thunderstorm as severe; rather, the
National Weather Service classifies a thunderstorm as severe if it produces winds of
at least 58 mph or hail at least one inch in diameter. However, lightning is a powerful
and dangerous element of storms that can cause fatalities, injuries, and property
damage, and thus is an important aspect of severe weather considerations.