Learn about the wildest thunderstorms and the fascinating science behind them.
What is a thunderstorm euphoria?
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Euphoria triggered by the excitement of a thunderstorm
What is a thunderstorm asthma?
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A condition where a thunderstorm can trigger an asthma attack due to high levels of pollen and mold spores being swept up into the atmosphere
What is a thunderstorm driving safety tip?
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Pull over and wait out the storm if visibility is poor or if you feel unsafe driving in heavy rain or strong winds
What is the term for a relatively rare, extremely severe and destructive thunderstorm that lasts for several hours?
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Super outbreak
What is the term for a large-scale circulation of winds around a central region of high atmospheric pressure?
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Anticyclone
What is the term for a small-scale vortex that forms along the gust front of a thunderstorm?
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Gustnado
What is a thunderstorm fact?
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Thunder is the sound produced by lightning heating the air around it to a temperature of about 30,000 degrees Celsius (54,000 degrees Fahrenheit)
Which of these is NOT a type of lightning?
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Ground-to-cloud
What is the term for a persistent, large-scale cyclone located near Earth's poles?
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Polar vortex
What is a thunderstorm?
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A storm with lightning and thunder
What is a thunderstorm phobia?
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An intense fear of thunderstorms that can cause anxiety, panic attacks, and avoidance behavior
What is the term for a strong, localized downdraft greater than 4 km wide that occurs beneath thunderstorms?
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Macroburst
Which type of cloud is most commonly associated with thunderstorms?
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Cumulonimbus
What causes thunderstorms?
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The collision of warm and cold air masses
What is a negative lightning strike?
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A lightning strike that originates from the bottom of a thunderstorm
What is a thunderstorm emergency kit item?
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Flashlight and extra batteries
What is the term for a line of thunderstorms that forms along or ahead of a cold front?
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Squall line
What is the term for a large-scale weather pattern characterized by a series of thunderstorms?
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Madden-Julian Oscillation
What is the term for a massive cluster of thunderstorms that form over warm ocean waters?
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Mesoscale convective system
What is the term for a line of intense, widespread, and fast-moving windstorms and sometimes thunderstorms that moves across a great distance?
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Squall line
What is a gust front?
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A boundary between cool and warm air created by a thunderstorm downdraft
What is a thunderstorm flood?
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Flooding caused by heavy rain during a thunderstorm
What is the term for a violently rotating column of air that is not in contact with the ground but is connected to a cumuliform cloud?
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Funnel cloud
What is the term for a rapidly rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface and a cumulonimbus cloud?
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Tornado
What is the most common type of thunderstorm?
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Single-cell
What is the term for a visible mass of minute liquid droplets or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere?
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Cloud
What is the name of the scale used to classify thunderstorms based on their severity?
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TORRO scale
What is a squall line thunderstorm?
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A line of thunderstorms that forms ahead of a cold front or other boundary
What is the term for a sudden increase in the strength of a thunderstorm, often accompanied by heavy precipitation?
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Storm surge
What is a thunderstorm fun fact?
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The smell of rain after a thunderstorm comes from a chemical called geosmin, which is produced by soil-dwelling bacteria
What is the term for a low-lying, rotating cloud that develops beneath the base of a cumulonimbus cloud?
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Wall cloud
What is a thunderstorm pet safety tip?
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Bring pets indoors during a thunderstorm to protect them from lightning strikes and loud noises
What is a microburst?
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A sudden, powerful downdraft of wind
What is a thunderstorm blackout?
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A power outage caused by a thunderstorm
What is a thunderstorm power outage safety tip?
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Unplug electronic devices and appliances to protect them from power surges when the power comes back on
What is a positive lightning bolt?
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A rare and extremely powerful lightning bolt that originates in the upper part of a thunderstorm and travels a long distance before striking the ground
What is the term for a rotating column of air that extends from the base of a thunderstorm but does not touch the ground?
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Funnel cloud
What is the term for a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the Earth's surface and a cumulonimbus cloud?
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Tornado
What is a thunderstorm myth?
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Lightning never strikes the same place twice
What is a thunderstorm depression?
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Depression triggered by the gloomy atmosphere of a thunderstorm
What is a thundersnow?
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A thunderstorm that occurs during a snowstorm
What is the term for a severe thunderstorm that produces tornadoes?
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Supercell
What is a thunderbolt?
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Another name for a lightning bolt
Which of the following is NOT a type of thunderstorm?
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Tropical storm
What is a thunderstorm first aid tip?
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If someone is struck by lightning, call 911 immediately and begin CPR if necessary
What is a thunderstorm headache?
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A type of headache that can be triggered by changes in barometric pressure and electrical activity during a thunderstorm
What is the term for a low-pressure area within a severe thunderstorm where updrafts and downdrafts coexist?
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Mesocyclone
What is the term for the process by which water vapor in the air becomes liquid water or ice crystals?
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Condensation
What is a roll cloud?
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A low, horizontal tube-shaped cloud often seen at the leading edge of a thunderstorm
What is a thunderstorm insomnia?
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Insomnia triggered by the noise and flashing lights of a thunderstorm
What is a thunderstorm asthma?
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An asthma attack triggered by thunderstorm pollen
What is a thunderstorm record?
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The world's longest-lasting thunderstorm lasted for over 200 days in Venezuela
Which of these is NOT a stage in the life cycle of a thunderstorm?
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Subsidence stage
What is a haboob?
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A dust storm caused by thunderstorm downdrafts
What is the term for the transfer of heat or other atmospheric properties by the movement of air masses?
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Advection
What is the term for the leading edge of cool air rushing down and out from a thunderstorm?
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Gust front
What is the term for a narrow zone separating regions of different meteorological characteristics?
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Front
What causes the sound of thunder during a thunderstorm?
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Rapid expansion of air due to lightning
What is the primary cause of thunderstorms?
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Unequal heating of Earth's surface
What is the term for a long-lived, straight-line wind storm associated with fast-moving thunderstorms?
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Derecho
What is a wall cloud?
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A cloud that appears to be lowering from the base of a thunderstorm
What is the term for a strong, localized downdraft less than 4 km wide that occurs beneath thunderstorms?
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Microburst
What is a downburst?
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A strong downdraft of wind that spreads out in all directions upon reaching the ground
What is a thunderstorm anxiety?
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Anxiety triggered by the anticipation of a thunderstorm
Which of these factors can increase the likelihood of thunderstorm formation?
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Low-level moisture
What is the term for the boundary between an advancing warm air mass and a retreating cooler air mass?
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Warm front
What is a thunderstorm migraine?
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A migraine triggered by changes in barometric pressure during a thunderstorm
What is a supercell thunderstorm?
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A long-lived, rotating thunderstorm capable of producing severe weather such as large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes
What is a fire thunderstorm?
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A thunderstorm that forms over a wildfire
What is a downburst?
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A sudden, powerful rush of wind from a thunderstorm
What causes thunder during a thunderstorm?
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Lightning heating the air around it
What is a dart leader?
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A channel of ionized air that precedes a lightning strike
What is the term for a sudden electrostatic discharge during a thunderstorm?
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Lightning
What is a shelf cloud?
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A low, horizontal cloud that appears to hang from the sky
What is the term for a large body of air with uniform temperature and humidity characteristics?
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Air mass
What is a thunderstorm fire?
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A fire caused by lightning striking a tree, building, or other object
What is a dry thunderstorm?
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A thunderstorm that produces little or no rain
What is a thunderbolt?
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Another name for lightning
What is a mesocyclone?
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A rotating updraft within a thunderstorm
Which of these atmospheric conditions can lead to the development of thunderstorms?
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Atmospheric instability
What is a thunderhead?
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A tall, dense cloud associated with thunderstorms
What is a multicell thunderstorm?
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A thunderstorm made up of several individual cells that can merge together
What is a thunderstorm?
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A storm with lightning and thunder
What is a wall cloud?
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A cloud that forms beneath a thunderstorm's updraft and can sometimes produce a tornado
What is a derecho?
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A widespread, long-lived windstorm associated with a band of rapidly moving thunderstorms