What are the types of thunderstorms?
Single-cell thunderstorms
Single-cell thunderstorms also known as popcorn thunderstorms and pulse
thunderstorms are brief and quick thunderstorms that occur suddenly in late summer,
late winter and early spring. They usually form in one hour and occur for around 30
minutes to 1 hour. It usually comes quickly and it also leaves quickly so it leaves
you with sunshine if it occurs during the day. Most single-cell thunderstorms
usually develop from a sea or a lake breeze.The breeze has cooler air from the sea
or lake moving on-shore and reacting similarly to a cold front or also known as a
polar front which is when cold air mass pushes into warmer air mass. Even though
these storms only last a couple of minutes they can also result in minor flooding
and separated wind damage.
Multi-cell clusters
A multi- cell cluster is a thunderstorm that is many single-cell thunderstorms
combined together. These storms contain hail, gusty winds and the threat of floods
occurring which usually do since its a cluster of single-cells. Many multi-cell
clusters line up and end up igushing one big dump of precipitation over one area.
This is called “training” and it always leads to flash flooding. A flash flood is
rapid flood that usually happens on low lying areas such as, rivers, dry lakes and
small streams. There have been cases where the water level of a flash flood becomes
13cm in just an hour or two which doesn’t make this dangerous but also life
threatening.
Squall Line Thunderstorms
Squall line thunderstorms are serious thunderstorms that are an intense line of
storms that can span hundreds of kilometres.These storms are commonly found ahead
of a very powerful cold front. In result of a squall line thunderstorm, heavy rain,
bright lighting, hail and even tornadoes can occur occasionally but the biggest
threat is when these storms can damage straight line winds. Straight line winds are
winds that come out thunderstorms. If these winds meet the storm is classified as a
severe storm.
Supercell thunderstorms
Supercell thunderstorms are the strongest thunderstorms of all the thunderstorms.
These thunderstorms are very rare in Adelaide because our temperatures don’t rise
often. Th thing that sets the supercell apart is its spinning updraft which can
significantly extend the life of the storm and cause it to become arranged
properly. This rotation is caused by a change in the wind direction or/and the
speed. This arrangement is sometimes known on the radar as having a “hook”
appearance. this hook can signal arranged rotation and sometimes a tornado. To add
to tornadoes, supercell thunderstorms can cause heavy hail, flash flooding and fast
wind speeds. Supercell thunderstorms can last a couple of hours before fading out.
How are thunderstorms formed?
Thunderstorms form when layers of warm and moist air rise in big, swift updrafts to
cooler and colder areas of the atmosphere. The warm moisture which contained in the
updraft condenses to form towering cumulonimbus clouds and, eventually,
precipitation. Columns of cooled air then sink earthward, striking the ground with
strong downdrafts and horizontal winds. At the same time, electrical charges
accumulate on cloud particles (water droplets and ice). Lightning discharges occur
when the accumulated electric charge becomes sufficiently large. Lightning heats
the air it passes through so intensely and quickly that shock waves are produced;
these shock waves are heard as claps and rolls of thunder. On occasion, severe
thunderstorms are accompanied by swirling vortices of air that become concentrated
and powerful enough to form large tornadoes.
What is a thunderstorm?
A thunder storm is natural disaster that is a hydrological event that usually
occurs in the late day or at night. Lightning, thunder, dense clouds, rain and hail
all involve in a thunderstorm that always involve thunder or rain. If there is
thunder, there should be lightning dark clouds and or/and heavy rain. A small
thunderstorm, which is a single-cell thunderstorm, can last up to two hours at
most. Thunderstorms usually occur in mid-Spring, late summer and during winter.
There are 4 types of thunderstorms, they are, single-cell thunderstorms, multi-cell
thunderstorms, squall line thunderstorms and supercell thunderstorms. Most
thunderstorms go through 3 stages, the cumulus stage which is when an amount of air
is forced to rise then its is cooled down then condensed. Afterwards the
thunderstorm is ready and it is fully formed which means the storm can begin. This
stage is called the mature stage. The last stage is when the storm is ready to
finish and calm down. so the storm slowly weakens and breaks apart. Damage occurs
usually when a strong multi-cell hits, a mature squall line approaches and a normal
supercell thunderstorm occurs. Damage can include wrecked buildings and houses,
broken electrical towers and plants( factories ), burned trees and flammable
materials, fallen down trees and even injuring to humans and animals. Sometimes
thunderstorms can also form tornadoes which mostly supercell thunderstorms can
provide. Fixing ruined buildings or houses can take a long time to do since
sometimes the ruins might be a couple of kilometres since the wind is very strong.
Many people have gone missing during a thunderstorm because thunderstorms can
mislead the people.
How might thunderstorms impact people?
Thunderstorms can affect humans in many ways. For example, thunderstorms can affect
your mood positively and/or negatively. Many young children are afraid of thunder
because of its loud and sudden sound and are also afraid of lightning because of
its bright and rapid flashes. More mature people enjoy the sound of thunder and
precipitation because the sound is relaxing and comforting. Since thunderstorms
usually occur at night, hearing these sounds also help older and more mature people
to sleep comfortably. Thunder storms can also create a reasonable level of stress,
fear and anxiety. This type of phobia is called astraphobia, the fear of loud and
natural noises by natural disasters. Thunderstorms can also make you feel sick or
make you become sick. The common sicknesses are, cold, common cough and a regular
fever. When taking a shower always wear warm clothes after because the cold
temperature can cause illnesses. Thunderstorms can also get you injured or you can
even pass away. You can get injured in a strong single-cell thunderstorm, a severe
multi-cell thunderstorm, a squall line thunderstorm and you can get critically
injured or even pass away in a supercell thunderstorm. Many people can get struck
by lightning of something can get damaged and that damaged objects or object can
injure you or peers around you.
How might thunderstorms impact farmland and buildings?
Thunderstorms can affect buildings in many horrific ways. For example, strong
bright lightning can strike on buildings causing serious fires that can make people
lives in danger. Many people can be stuck in elevators and can’t be rescued until
the fire is out or it is safe to enter the building. Fires can break windows burn
buildings and harm people and many more terrifying negative causes. Thunderstorms
on farmland can have positive and negative effects. For example, a good cause for a
thunderstorm to cause is when a drought had occurred and crops need water to
survive. Although if there is too much rain or the soil is constantly wet the crops
can lead to “overhydrating” and the soils air-pockets can be limited.
