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Overview: Different Types of Thunderstorms

Overview: Different Types of Thunderstorms. Basic Definitions. Shear Directional S hear – wind direction changes with height Speed Shear – wind changes speed with height Updraft tilt. Basic Definitions. Outflow Boundary – created by downdrafts from the thunderstorms

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Overview: Different Types of Thunderstorms

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  1. Overview: Different Types of Thunderstorms

  2. Basic Definitions • Shear • Directional Shear – wind direction changes with height • Speed Shear – wind changes speed with height • Updraft tilt

  3. Basic Definitions • Outflow Boundary – created by downdrafts from the thunderstorms • Gust Fronts – outflow boundaries ahead of a thunderstorm

  4. Classifications of Thunderstorms • Single Cell Thunderstorms • Do not have tilted updrafts • Low shear allows for vertical updrafts • Have short life spans due to storm “choking” itself • Downdraft eventually overpowers updraft • Ex. “Pop-Up” Thunderstorms

  5. Weak vertical shear • Single cell storms • Short life span • Updraft and downdraft co-located • Strong vertical wind shear • Organized and long lasting thunderstorms • Supercells • Separated updrafts & downdrafts

  6. Classifications of Thunderstorms • Multi-Cell Thunderstorms • Storm Clusters • Grouping of cells that are in different stages of development • Towering Cumulus, Mature, Dissipating • Only mature stage will have both an updraft and downdraft • Typically are more potent than single cell thunderstorms • Can last for several hours and produce hail, heavy rain, damaging winds, and occasionally tornados • Weak shear is usually present

  7. Classification of Thunderstorms • Multi-Cell Thunderstorms • Squall Lines • Grouping of cells that form in a line typically extending for many miles • Form ahead of a boundary such as a cold front or dry line • New cells will continue to form on the outflow boundaries created by the storms themselves • Led typically by a shelf cloud and gust front

  8. Classification of Thunderstorms • Supercell Thunderstorms • A single thunderstorm present in a high shear environment • High directional and/or speed shear allows for updraft rotation and a tilted updraft • Can last for several hours • Responsible for nearly all of the significant tornado and hail recordings

  9. Name That Thunderstorm __________________________ ___________________________ __________________________ ___________________

  10. Name That Thunderstorm __________________________ ____________________ _________________________ ____________________

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