Okay, be honest. When you hear that loud crack of thunder and see the free light show, doesn’t your skin break out in goose bumps…even just a teeny bit? Actually, that isn’t a bad thing as we need to know what to do during thunder storms, but it really is just another one of nature’s wonderful demonstrations!
Have you ever wondered…
What Causes Thunder storms?
Thunder storms occur when moist air, heated by the sun, rises and the water in the air forms clouds. When water vapor in the cloud gets too heavy, it falls as rain. As the warm updraft of air meets the cool water in the clouds, thunder and lightning occur. The strength of the thunderstorm depends on the difference in temperature. The greater the difference in temperature, the more severe the storm is.
Thunder storms occur when moist air, heated by the sun, rises and the water in the air forms clouds. When water vapor in the cloud gets too heavy, it falls as rain. As the warm updraft of air meets the cool water in the clouds, thunder and lightning occur. The strength of the thunderstorm depends on the difference in temperature. The greater the difference in temperature, the more severe the storm is.
What Causes Lightening?
Lightening occurs when all the fast moving air in a cloud separates water droplets, causing electrical charges. These electrical charges build up and cause huge electric shocks that can generate about 100 million volts of electricity!
Lightening occurs when all the fast moving air in a cloud separates water droplets, causing electrical charges. These electrical charges build up and cause huge electric shocks that can generate about 100 million volts of electricity!
Types of Lightening
Heat: Lightning from storms that are so far away that we can't hear the thunder or see any rain.
Heat: Lightning from storms that are so far away that we can't hear the thunder or see any rain.
Sheet: Lightning that covers a wide area, and can be inside or between clouds.
Forked: Bolts that most commonly occur between clouds and the earth.
Ball: A very rare type. It is a sphere shape that glows and moves slowly. It appears to come from a storm cloud, and can last five seconds.
What Causes Thunder?
Lightning causes thunder. When lightning strikes, it superheats the air around it which causes a shockwave, kind of like throwing a rock into water. The ripples cause sound as they travel through the air.
Lightning causes thunder. When lightning strikes, it superheats the air around it which causes a shockwave, kind of like throwing a rock into water. The ripples cause sound as they travel through the air.
How to Stay Safe During a Storm?
|
DO
|
DON’T
|
|
Go into a house, large building, or car if you are outside.
|
Don't use the telephone (except in emergency situations)
|
|
Stay away from:
|
Don't go into any small buildings
Don't go under any large trees
Don't be taller than your surroundings
Don't stand on a hilltop
Don't go out in a boat
|
|
Find a ditch or bridge and take shelter
|
Don't carry anything made of metal
|
|
|
Don't be near large metal objects[1]
|
