1. Thunderstorms
Image Source: http://www.fema.gov/kids/thphot04.htm

2. Contents
 What is a thunderstorm?
 What are lightning and thunder?
 What should I do during a
thunderstorm?
 Works Cited
 Reflection

3. What is a thunderstorm?
Webster’s Dictionary defines a thunderstorm as “a storm
accompanied by lightning and thunder.” But what does that
mean?
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) for Kids
states that a thunderstorm needs three things to occur:
Moisture, Unstable Air (Remember- warm air rises, and in a
thunderstorm it rises fast) and Lift, which helps the air raise
further.
Thunderstorms can be single cell, meaning one isolated storm,
or multicell, meaning a group of storms together at different
stages. The can also be supercells, which are dangerous for
their strong winds. Each cell can last around 20 to 30
minutes.

4. What is a thunderstorm? Continued.
Thunderstorms usually
happen in the spring or
summer, and form in
warm, wet conditions. Did
you know? Thunderstorms
don’t have to have rain!
Sometimes rain will
evaporate before it reaches
ground level- but the
Image source:
lightning is still there and
http://www.fema.gov/kids/thphot01.htm
can cause wildfires.

5. Quiz Time!
What three things does a thunderstorm need to occur?
Moisture, Unstable Air, and Lift
Why are supercells dangerous?
The have strong winds (Fact- this can cause a Tornado!)
What conditions do thunderstorms happen in?
Warm and Wet.
Do thunderstorms have to have rain?
No.
Good Job!
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6. What are lightning and thunder?
Lightning is an electrical discharge of positive and negative
charges in a storm interacting. It can be thought of as a big
version of a static shock- in fact, that’s exactly what it is!
Lightning is actually what causes thunder. When lighting
happens it sets off a sound wave, just like a cannon. Light
waves can move faster than sound waves, however, which is
why you see the lighting before you hear the thunder boom.
The chances of being struck by lightning is 1 in 600,000. Also,
lighting can stick the same place twice, or even more.

7. What are lightning and thunder?
Continued.
FEMA for kids explains how to
use lighting and thunder to tell
how far away a storm is:
“You can estimate how many
miles away a storm is by
counting the number of
seconds between the flash of
lightning and the clap of
thunder. Divide the number of
seconds by five to get the
distance in miles. The lightning
is seen before the thunder is
heard because light travels
Image Source: http://www.fema.gov/kids/thphot06.htm
faster than sound” (FEMA for
Kids).

8. Quiz Time!
What is lighting a result of?
Positive and negative charges interacting in a storm.
What causes thunder?
Lightning.
Can lightning strike the same place twice?
Yes.
What do you divide the number of seconds in between
lightning and thunder by to get the distance of the storm?
Five.
Good job!
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9. What should I do during a
thunderstorm?
Thunderstorms are dangerous! Storms can cause lightning,
rain, strong winds, hail, flooding, even tornadoes! While
thunderstorms can be fun to watch it’s important to stay safe.
FEMA says: "If thunder roars, go indoors." Being outside is
not safe during a storm. If you are driving, stay in your car and
avoid touching any metal. If for some reason you are stuck
outside, get in a ditch and stay low! Lightning is attracted to
height.
If someone is ever struck by lightning it is OKAY to touch
them- you will not get shocked. Call 9-1-1 and provide help
immediately!

10. What should I do during a
thunderstorm? Continued.
Indoor safety is important,
too!
You shouldn’t use a corded
phone or be near plumbing
(like taking a shower) during
a storm, as this can carry a
lightning strike to you.
Unplug items like computers
before the storm starts!
Image Source: http://www.fema.gov/kids/thphot03.htm
Be on alert- listen to a
television or radio for
weather information.

11. Quiz Time!
Complete the sentence. “If thunder roars…”
“…Go indoors!”
Where should you go if you are stuck outside in a thunderstorm?
Somewhere low, like a ditch.
Is it safe to help someone if they’ve been stuck by lightning?
Yes!
Why shouldn’t you take a shower during a thunderstorm?
Plumbing can conduct a lightning strike.
Good Job!
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12. Works Cited
FEMA. (2010, August 11). Thunderstorms and lightning. Retrieved from
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/thunderstorm/index.shtm
FEMA for Kids. (n.d.). Thunderstorms. Retrieved from
http://www.fema.gov/kids/thunder.htm (Images also from source)
Hatheway, B. (2010, May 27). Thunderstorms. Retrieved from
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/tstorm.html
National Severe Storms Library. (2006, October 15). Thunderstorm basics.
Retrieved from http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/primer/tstorm/tst_basics.html
Palmer, C. (n.d.). A look inside a thunderstorm. USA Today, Retrieved from
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/tg/wtsmwhat/wtsmwhat.htm
Thunderstrom. Merriam-webster. Retrieved January 28, 2011, from
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thunderstorm
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13. Reflection
I enjoyed researching this because it reminded me of being a child and
watching storms from my bedroom window. I loved learning about
weather in school, and I realized why while researching- it’s exciting!
There’s all kinds of wild things that can happen in a storm. Lightning is
very impressive, especially to a kid.
I’ve used PowerPoint in the past, but this is my first time with the new
program. I enjoyed exploring it and I found it’s even easier to use and to
make things look professional. The interface is much better organized,
too.
APA citation was hard for me because this is my first time using it- in the
past, I’ve only used MLA. I like that it still includes the web url address,
unlike MLA; it makes it easier to find the source again.
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