What are storms?
"Storms are associated with periods of strong often damaging winds, heavy flood-producing rainfall, thunder and lightning, heavy snowfall or blizzard conditions. They are classified by how strong the winds are or by how heavy the rainfall, lightning or snow are" (https://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/schools/students/storms).
These are the main types of storms:
(http://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/types-of-storm, https://stormdamagecenter.org/common-storm-types.php, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/09/130923-typhoon-hurricane-cyclone-primer-natural-disaster/ and http://education.nationalgeographic.com/encyclopedia/hail/)
Click here to learn about a famous dust storm that happened on "Black Sunday".
If you are interested in learning about lightning, one of the most incredible natural phenomena, click here to watch a National Geographic video.
Storms are formed when the movement of cold and warm air currents creates extreme air pressure difference. Extreme air pressure is created at an atmospheric level as warm wet air rushes, causing cold air to move towards the area where air pressure is lower, eventually creating a rotation.
The rotational movement of cold and warm air in the atmosphere is centered around an area of low air pressure that is surrounded by a high pressure system. The movement of the earth and the atmosphere starts this rotation, which then generates wind that is centered around it. The winds rotate clockwise in the southern hemisphere and counter-clockwise in the northern hemisphere.
A low and high air pressure system can be generated at a local level as hot air rises off the ground. This creates relatively small air disturbances such as whirlwinds or dust devils. The type of storm that is generated varies depending on temperature and weather conditions around the system. Cold storm systems can take the shape of an ice storm, blizzard or snowstorm. In dry or desert areas, firestorms, windstorms or a dust devil can be generated. Storms in tropical areas can take the form of a tropical cyclone or a thunderstorm.
(http://www.ask.com/science/causes-storms-1bc6db6f4066aa04)
Storms may lead to:
1. Interruption of public services: Due to severe storms, flights are cancelled, schools closed and public transport is halted. Massive power cuts (outages AmE) may take place leaving many areas without electrical power and water supplies may also be cut off.
2. Property damage: Massive power cuts may cause electrical goods to break down (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/storms-lightning-close-la-beaches-power-outages-32544156). When hail storms hit, hails can crack or smash windows, damage roofs, dent cars and cause damage to trees, plants and crops (https://stormdamagecenter.org/hail-storm.php). Flying objects and debris caused by the strong winds may cause window, paint, brick or roof damage. Heavy snow on roofs can cause roof collapse (https://stormdamagecenter.org/common-storm-types.php)
3. Injuries and even loss of lives: If during a hail storm a person is directly hit with large hail, it could cause serious bodily injury, or death (https://stormdamagecenter.org/hail-storm.php). During an electric storm, a bolt of lightning may hit and injure or even kill a person (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/storms-lightning-close-la-beaches-power-outages-32544156). In January 2014, for example, a lightning strike killed 3 and injured 22 people who were on the beach in Villa Gesell (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/10/lightning-strike-in-argentina-kills-three). Lightning can also hit aircrafts and cause severe accidents. Low visibility during downpours, snowstorms and blizzards can cause car accidents (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/01/140103-blizzard-snow-storm-winter-climate-weather-science/)
4. Floods: Floods can cause all kinds of serious damage including flooded basements, ruined furniture, damage to your home's exterior and landscaping, and much more (https://stormdamagecenter.org/tropical-storms.php).
5. Fires: Lightning that hit trees and the ground can cause wildfires and structure fires (https://stormdamagecenter.org/common-storm-types.php).
Prepare your home for different types of storms:
If a storm is approaching or if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued:
What causes storms?
Storms are formed when the movement of cold and warm air currents creates extreme air pressure difference. Extreme air pressure is created at an atmospheric level as warm wet air rushes, causing cold air to move towards the area where air pressure is lower, eventually creating a rotation.
The rotational movement of cold and warm air in the atmosphere is centered around an area of low air pressure that is surrounded by a high pressure system. The movement of the earth and the atmosphere starts this rotation, which then generates wind that is centered around it. The winds rotate clockwise in the southern hemisphere and counter-clockwise in the northern hemisphere.
A low and high air pressure system can be generated at a local level as hot air rises off the ground. This creates relatively small air disturbances such as whirlwinds or dust devils. The type of storm that is generated varies depending on temperature and weather conditions around the system. Cold storm systems can take the shape of an ice storm, blizzard or snowstorm. In dry or desert areas, firestorms, windstorms or a dust devil can be generated. Storms in tropical areas can take the form of a tropical cyclone or a thunderstorm.
(http://www.ask.com/science/causes-storms-1bc6db6f4066aa04)
What are the effects of storms?
Storms may lead to:
1. Interruption of public services: Due to severe storms, flights are cancelled, schools closed and public transport is halted. Massive power cuts (outages AmE) may take place leaving many areas without electrical power and water supplies may also be cut off.
2. Property damage: Massive power cuts may cause electrical goods to break down (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/storms-lightning-close-la-beaches-power-outages-32544156). When hail storms hit, hails can crack or smash windows, damage roofs, dent cars and cause damage to trees, plants and crops (https://stormdamagecenter.org/hail-storm.php). Flying objects and debris caused by the strong winds may cause window, paint, brick or roof damage. Heavy snow on roofs can cause roof collapse (https://stormdamagecenter.org/common-storm-types.php)
3. Injuries and even loss of lives: If during a hail storm a person is directly hit with large hail, it could cause serious bodily injury, or death (https://stormdamagecenter.org/hail-storm.php). During an electric storm, a bolt of lightning may hit and injure or even kill a person (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/storms-lightning-close-la-beaches-power-outages-32544156). In January 2014, for example, a lightning strike killed 3 and injured 22 people who were on the beach in Villa Gesell (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/10/lightning-strike-in-argentina-kills-three). Lightning can also hit aircrafts and cause severe accidents. Low visibility during downpours, snowstorms and blizzards can cause car accidents (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/01/140103-blizzard-snow-storm-winter-climate-weather-science/)
4. Floods: Floods can cause all kinds of serious damage including flooded basements, ruined furniture, damage to your home's exterior and landscaping, and much more (https://stormdamagecenter.org/tropical-storms.php).
5. Fires: Lightning that hit trees and the ground can cause wildfires and structure fires (https://stormdamagecenter.org/common-storm-types.php).
Preventive measures
Prepare your home for different types of storms:
- Trim back tree branches away from the roof and large windows, as fallen limbs and broken tree branches can do a substantial amount of damage to your roof, windows and exterior
- Clean gutters regularly, keep them free of leaves and other debris.
- Check storm drains near your home or business and remove any debris, including leaves, plastic bags and trash bags.
If a storm is approaching or if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued:
- Stay indoors or seek shelter to avoid being struck by lightning or hit by hail.
- If you are outdoors, go to a safe place immediately (a building or a car with the windows shut). If there is no shelter around you, stay away from trees, water and metalic objects. Crouch down in the open area, put your feet together and place your hands over your ears to minimize hearing damage from thunder. If you’re with a group of people stay about 15 feet from each other
- Bring in outdoor furniture, toys, pots and gardening tools to avoid flying objects
- Shut your garage door and make sure doors and windows are secured.
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