Severe Thunderstorms: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding Severe Thunderstorms

Severe thunderstorms are intense convective storms characterized by heavy rainfall, frequent lightning strikes, strong winds, and sometimes hail or tornadoes. These storms can cause significant damage to infrastructure, property, and human life. The National Weather Service (NWS) considers a thunderstorm severe if it produces:

• Hail one inch or larger in diameter
• Winds of 58 miles per hour or higher
• A tornado

Formation of Severe Thunderstorms

Severe thunderstorms occur when there is a strong instability in the atmosphere. This instability is caused by a combination of warm, moist air near the ground and cooler, drier air aloft. As the warm air rises, it cools and condenses, releasing energy that fuels the thunderstorm. The rising air also creates an updraft, which draws in more warm, moist air from the ground. This cycle continues, creating a towering cumulonimbus cloud that can reach heights of several miles.

Hazards Associated with Severe Thunderstorms

Severe thunderstorms can pose several hazards to people and property. The most common hazards include:

• Lightning: Lightning is a dangerous electrical discharge that can cause serious injury or death to people and animals.
• Strong Winds: Severe thunderstorms can produce strong winds that can cause damage to buildings, trees, and power lines.
• Hail: Hail is frozen raindrops that can range in size from small peas to golf balls. Hail can cause damage to cars, homes, and crops.
• Tornadoes: Tornadoes are violent, rotating columns of air that can cause devastating damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Safety Tips

If you are caught in a severe thunderstorm, it is important to take precautions to stay safe. The following tips can help you stay safe:

• Seek shelter in a sturdy building. If you are outdoors, avoid open areas and tall objects.
• Stay away from windows and doors.
• Unplug electrical appliances and turn off the main power switch.
• Listen to the radio or television for updates on the storm.
• Be prepared to take cover if a tornado warning is issued.

Weather App for Severe Thunderstorms

Several weather apps can help you track severe thunderstorms and stay safe. These apps provide real-time updates on the location and severity of storms and can send alerts to your phone or other devices. Some popular severe thunderstorm weather apps include:

• The Weather Channel App
• AccuWeather
• Dark Sky
• RadarScope
• Storm Shield

These apps can be a valuable tool for staying informed about severe thunderstorms and staying safe when storms threaten.