A brief description of thunderstorms, what causes them and a few examples of thunderstorms which have occurred in different places

1. PHYSICS CCE
-Anushree K
7’A’

2. CONTENTS
 Introduction to Thunderstorms:
1. What are thunderstorms?
2. How they occur?
3. Different types of thunderstorms
4. Safety precautions
 Examples of thunderstorms:
1. 2010 Eastern Indian States
2. 1939 South California tropical storm

3. WHAT ARE
THUNDERSTOR
MS?
A thunderstorm is also
known as an electrical
storm, a lightening
storm, thundershower
or simply a storm.
Thunderstorms are
usually accompanied
by strong winds, heavy
rain and
sometimes snow, slee
t, hail or no
precipitation at all.

4. Thunderstorms result from the rapid upward movement
of warm, moist air. They can occur inside warm, moist
air masses and at fronts.
As the warm, moist air moves upward, it
cools, condenses, and forms cumulonimbus clouds
that can reach heights of over 20 km. As the rising air
reaches its dew point, water droplets and ice form and
begin falling the long distance through the clouds
towards the Earth's surface.
As the droplets fall, they collide with other droplets and
become larger. The falling droplets create a downdraft
of air that spreads out at the Earth's surface and
causes strong winds associated commonly with
thunderstorms.

5. There are four types of thunderstorms:
1. Single-cell
2. Multicell cluster
3. Multicell lines
4. Supercells.
Supercell thunderstorms are the strongest and the
most associated with severe
weather phenomena. Dry thunderstorms, with no
precipitation, can cause the outbreak of wildfires
with the heat generated from the cloud-to-ground
lightning that accompanies them.

6. Preparedness Safety
 People should know the names of  Take action immediately upon
local counties, cities, and hearing thunder. Anyone close
towns, as these are how warnings enough to the storm to hear
are described. thunder can be struck by lightning.
 Monitor forecasts and know  Avoid electrical
whether thunderstorms are likely appliances, including corded
in the area. telephones. Cordless and wireless
 Be alert for natural signs of an telephones are safe to use during a
approaching storm. thunderstorm.
 Cancel or reschedule outdoor  Close and stay away from windows
events (to avoid being caught and doors, as glass can become a
outdoors when a storm hits). serious hazard in high wind.
 Avoid open areas like  Do not bathe or shower, as
hilltops, fields, and beaches. plumbing conducts electricity.

7. 2010 Eastern
Indian States
At approximately 11
pm local time, April
13, 2010, a severe
storm struck parts
of Bangladesh and e
astern India. It
lasted about 90
minutes, with the
most intense portion
spanning 30–40
minutes.

8. 2010 Eastern India States
. As of April 16, more than 140 deaths have been reported. At least
91 people died in the Indian state of Bihar, 44 in West Bengal and
4 in Assam.
In Bangladesh, five deaths and 200 injuries were reported. Most of
the deaths were women and children crushed when their huts
were destroyed. Over 91,000 dwellings were destroyed in India
and several thousand in Bangladesh; approximately 300,000
dwellings were at least partially damaged.
Nearly 500,000 people were left homeless or otherwise affected by
the storm. Rescue efforts have been inhibited as many roads,
were blocked by downed trees and telephone poles.
Medical personnel and supplies were quickly rushed to the affected
areas, and aid packages were announced. Aid workers began to
distribute rice, dried fruits, water, and
temporary tarpaulin shelters on April 15.

9. 1939 California tropical storm
The 1939
California
tropical
storm, also
called
the 1939 Long
Beach tropical
storm, El
Cordonazo, Th
e Lash of St.
Francis was a
tropical
cyclone that
hit Southern
California in
September, 19

10. . Formerly a hurricane, it was the only tropical storm to
make landfall in California in the twentieth century.
The storm caused heavy rain in most parts of the country and
also lead to floods. The flooding killed 45 in Southern
California, although some of these may be attributable to
the rain immediately before the tropical storm. At sea, 48
were killed.
The tropical storm was credited with at least one beneficial
effect: it ended a vicious heat wave that had lasted for
over a week and killed at least ninety people.
Out at sea, the Coast Guard and Navy conducted rescue
operations, saving dozens of people. Schools were closed
there as the wind had reached a mighty speed too.
People were advised not to use electrical appliances, not to
stay near water outside and to stay away from any glass
item.

11. PICTURES OF THE THUNDERSTORMS
2010 Eastern Indian States 1939 California tropical storm

12. SOURCE
Information: Wikipedia
Pictures : Google images