Severe Weather Activities

Severe Weather Activities

© 2002 American Geological Institute http://www.agiweb.org

Contents: All Activities and Investigations
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4
Activity 5
Activity 6

Students are challenged to evaluate the potential for severe weather in their community in order to help an entertainment company decide whether or not to build an arena with a retractable roof in the area.
Students will:

• Understand how and why the atmosphere, and more specifically, weather, operate as a part of Earth systems. 
• Participate in scientific inquiry and construct logical conclusions based on evidence. 
• Recognize the impacts of severe weather on the community. 
• Appreciate the value of Earth science information in improving the quality of lives, globally and within the community. 

Activity 1  -- What Conditions Create Thunderstorms?

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites: 1. How and Why Warm Air Rises

"What Causes the Weather?" - About.com 

Article reviews the basics behind the causes of weather, focusing on the uneven heating of the Earth and the Earth's rotation.  Also reviews the first law of equilibrium, which explains the physics of why warm air rises.
(http://weather.about.com/science/weather/library/weekly/aa011199.htm)

"Stability and Cloud Development" - National Severe Storms Laboratory - NOAA  

This page briefly reviews the mechanisms that cause air to rise.  Includes a graphic that illustrates convective uplift, orographic uplift, frontal wedging, and convergence.
(http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/~cortinas/1014/l15_2.html)

"What's an Air Mass?" - Rice University's Glacier page 

This site reviews the source regions of air masses in the United States, the formation of warm and cold fronts, and atmospheric pressure.  Includes color graphics.
(http://www.glacier.rice.edu/weather/3_weatherbasics.html)

2.  Development of a Thunderstorm

"The Thunderstorm" - National Weather Service - NOAA 

Defines and gives facts on thunderstorms, explains the conditions necessary for thunderstorm development, the stages of a thunderstorm, and types of thunderstorms.
(http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/spotter_reference/#Information%20About%20Thunderstorms)

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity: To learn more about severe weather events in your community, visit the following web sites:
 

• Local National Weather Service forecast office 

(http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/wrhq/nwspage.html)
• National Weather Association Local Chapters 

Includes links to several local weather offices.
(http://www.nwas.org/chapters.html)
• American Meteorological Society Local Chapters 

(http://www.ametsoc.org/AMS/amschaps/index.html)

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Activity 2  --  A Thunderstorm Matures

To learn more about this topic: 1.  How Clouds Form
 

• "How Clouds Form and Travel" - NASA Goddard Institute 

Brief online article reviews the conditions surrounding cloud formation and also explains how precipation is "released" from clouds.
(http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/intro/rossow.01/cloudsform.html)
• "Understanding Clouds and Fog" - USA Today

Site reviews how and where clouds typically form.  Includes some graphics and additional links to help students understand clouds.
(http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wcloud0.htm)

2.  Types of Clouds
 
• "Clouds Types" - Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory 

Site explains the basis for cloud classification.  Click on links to view cloud images and learn more about specific types of clouds.
(http://www.gfdl.gov/~io/WEATHER/clouds.html)
• "Cloud Types" - Windows to the Universe - University Corporation for Atmospheric Research  

Click on the cloud groupo or cloud type of interest to view an image and relevant text.
(http://www.windows.ucar.edu/cgi-bin/tour_def/earth/Atmosphere/clouds/cloud_types.html)

3.  The Mature and Dissipating Stages of a Thunderstorm
 

• "Earth's Atmosphere" - Rice University's GLACIER page 

This site gives detailed descriptions of the different layers of the Earth's atmosphere.
(http://www.glacier.rice.edu/weather/3_atmstructure.html)
• "Thunderstorms and Lightning...the underrated killers!" - National Weather Service - NOAA 

Site reviews the hazards associated with thunderstorms, including winds, rain, hail, and lightning.  Also reviews the development of thunderstorms, where thunderstorms are likely to occur, and how to remain safe during a thunderstorm.
(http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/trwbro.htm)

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
To learn more about volcanoes and weather, visit the following web site:
 

• "Do Volcanoes Affect Weather?" - USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory 

(http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Outreach/AboutVolcanoes/do_volcanoes_affect_weather.html)

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Activity 3  --  Tracking Thunderstorm Movement Through Radar

To learn more about this topic:

1.  How radar works
 
• "Radar Information" - National Weather Service - NOAA 

List of FAQ about radar as used for weather.  Includes information explaining how radar works, as well as color images and radar samples.
(http://weather.noaa.gov/radar/radinfo/radinfo.html)
• "National Doppler Radar Sites" - National Weather Service - NOAA 

Click on a location on the map to view the current Doppler radar for that area.
(http://weather.noaa.gov/radar/national.html)

2.  Tracking Squall Lines, Cells, and Supercells
 

• "Thunderstorms and Lightning...the underrated killers!" - National Weather Service - NOAA 

Site reviews the hazards associated with thunderstorms, including winds, rain, hail, and lightning.  Also reviews the development of thunderstorms, where thunderstorms are likely to occur, and how to remain safe during a thunderstorm.
(http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/trwbro.htm)

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity: To learn more about Doppler radar, visit the following web sites:

• "Radar Information" - National Weather Service - NOAA 

List of FAQ about radar as used for weather.  Includes information explaining how radar works, as well as color images and radar samples.
(http://weather.noaa.gov/radar/radinfo/radinfo.html)
• "National Doppler Radar Sites" - National Weather Service - NOAA 

Click on a location on the map to view the current Doppler radar for that area.
(http://weather.noaa.gov/radar/national.html)

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Activity 4  --  Severe Weather Hazards: Flash Floods

To learn more about this topic: 1. Flash Floods
 

• "Backgrounder: Floods and Flash Floods" - FEMA 

Introduction to floods and flash floods.  Includes suggestions for preparing for a flood and facts on devasting floods in the past.
(http://www.fema.gov/hazards/floods/flood.shtm)
• "Flash Floods and Floods...the Awesome Power!" - National Weather Service - NOAA 

This site explains how flash floods occur, presents information on devastating flash floods in the US, defines the different types of floods, and reviews steps to take to protect oneself from flood damages.
(http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/ffbro.htm)
• "Flash Flood Warnings - United States" - NOAA 

Current listings of floods in the United States.
(http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/us/flashflood.html)
• "Floods - Frequently Requested Products and Services" - NOAA 

List of links that cover floods, flood guidnace, and flood terminology.
(http://www.websites.noaa.gov/guide/sciences/atmo/floods.html)
• "Floodrisk" - EarthSat 

Real time data color maps indicating forecasted flood danger for the next 24 hours.  A United States map, as well as individual state maps (not all states represented), available.
(http://www.earthsat.com/wx/flooding/floodrisk.html)
• "Floodthreat" - EarthSat 

Real time data color map of the United States indicating how much rain would need to fall over any three-hour period to cause a flash-flood.
(http://www.earthsat.com/wx/flooding/floodthreat.html)
2. The Big Thompson Canyon Flood
 
• What We Have Learned Since the Big Thompson Flood,  University of Colorado at Colorado Springs 

http://www.uccs.edu/~geogenvs/flood/
• The Big Thompson Canyon Flood, Weather.com 

http://www.weather.com/encyclopedia/flood/tom76.html
• "Geologic Hazards images" - NASA 

Scroll down to the "Big Thompson Canyon Flood 1976" and click on links to view images of damage from the flood.
(http://stargate.jpl.nasa.gov:1080/hazards/hz1_1_1_1.html)
3. Fort Collins Flood
 
• "The Rain that Caused the Flood" - Colorado State University 

Online article is an excerpt from an analysis of the rainfall that fell and caused the Fort Collins flood in 1997.  Includes color rainfall maps.
(http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/~odie/rain.html)
• "An Analysis of Rainfall for the July 28, 1997 Flood in Fort Collins, Colorado" - Colorado Climate Center

Reviews details of the Fort Collins flood, specifically the rainfall that caused the flood.
(http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/~odie/rain.html)
4. Safety Tips for Floods
 
• "Floods and Flash Floods" - FEMA 

Fact sheet reviews steps to take to prepare for floods, steps to take during a flood, and how to behave after a flood.
(http://www.fema.gov/nfip/floodsaf.htm)
• "Thunderstorm and Camping Safety Tips" - National Severe Storm Laboratory - NOAA 

Includes tips on protecting yourself from flash floods associated with thunderstorms while in the outdoors hiking or camping.
(http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/~doswell/tstm_camping_safety.html)

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Activity 5  --  Lightning and Thunder

To learn more about this topic: 1.  What is Lightning?
 

• "A Lightning Primer" - Global Hydrology and Climate Center - NASA 

Reviews characteristics of lightning and looks at the history of lightning research.
(http://thunder.msfc.nasa.gov/primer/)
• "Thunderstorms and Lightning...the underrated killers!" - National Weather Service - NOAA 

Site reviews the hazards associated with thunderstorms, including winds, rain, hail, and lightning.  Also reviews the development of thunderstorms, where thunderstorms are likely to occur, and how to remain safe during a thunderstorm.
(http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/trwbro.htm)
• "All About Thunderstorms and Lightning" - National Weather Service - NOAA 

Answers basic FAQ about thunder and lightning, including what causes them, what dangers are associated with them, and more.
(http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/trw.htm)

2.  What is Thunder?
 
• "All About Thunderstorms and Lightning" - National Weather Service - NOAA 

Answers basic FAQ about thunder and lightning, including what causes them, what dangers are associated with them, and more.
(http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/trw.htm)
• "Thunderstorms and Lightning...the underrated killers!" - National Weather Service - NOAA 

Site reviews the hazards associated with thunderstorms, including winds, rain, hail, and lightning.  Also reviews the development of thunderstorms, where thunderstorms are likely to occur, and how to remain safe during a thunderstorm.
(http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/trwbro.htm)
3.  Lightning Safety Tips
 
• "Thunderstorm and Camping Safety Tips" - National Severe Storm Laboratory - NOAA 

Includes tips on protecting yourself from lightning strikes while in the outdoors hiking or camping.
(http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/~doswell/tstm_camping_safety.html)
• "The Human Effects of Lightning Strikes and Recommendations for Storm Chasers" - by W.T. Hark 

Reviews the physical effects of lightning on humans and also steps to take in the event that one has been struck by lightning.
(http://www.geocities.com/~billhark/light.html)
• National Lightning Safety Institute home page 

(http://www.lightningsafety.com/)

To complete the investigation, each student group will need:
 

• Copies of outline map of the US w/ state borders  
• Internet access (or copies of recent lightning strike data): 
• To view lightning strike maps, visit the Los Alamos National Laboratory EDOT web site (http://edot.lanl.gov/) 

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
To learn more about lightning, visit the following web site:
• "A Lightning Primer" - Global Hydrology and Climate Center - NASA 

Reviews characteristics of lightning and looks at the history of lightning research.
(http://thunder.msfc.nasa.gov/primer/)

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Activity 6  --  Severe Winds and Tornadoes

To learn more about this topic:
1.  Downbursts and Tornadoes
 
• "All About Tornadoes..." - National Weather Service - NOAA 

Fact sheet reviews the basics of tornado development, formation, and classifcation.  Includes links for further information.
(http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/torn.htm)
• "The Online Tornado FAQ" - Storm Prediction Center - NOAA 

Site reviews the "tornado basics", including what tornadoes are and how they form, how tornadoes "move", how they are defined, and much more.  Also has links within the text which open pages with tornado related images.
(http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/)
• "Tornadoes...Nature's Most Violent Storms" - National Severe Storm Laboratory - NOAA 

This site explains how tornadoes form using color images.  Also diproves several tornado myths, reviews where tornadoes occur, and tips on how to stay informed about tornadoes.
(http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/NWSTornado/)
• "Tornadoes" - National Climatic Data Center - NOAA 

Site includes data (maps) of tornado occurrences by state, grouoped according to tornado size.
(http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ol/climate/severeweather/tornadoes.html)
• "Downbursts..." - National Weather Service - NOAA 

This site uses illustrations to explain what causes downbursts, how they differ from tornadoes, and why they can be dangerous for airplanes.
(http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/cae/svrwx/downburst.htm)
2.  Tornado Safety Tips
 
• "Tornado Safety Tips Brochure" - FEMA 

Fact sheet explains the difference between a tornado watch and warning, how to recognize tornado danger, and also reviews tips for safety before, during, and after a tornado.
(http://www.fema.gov/hazards/tornadoes/tornadofa.shtm)
• "Tornado Safety" - Storm Prediction Center - NOAA 

Article reviews the basic steps for tornado safety.  Click on links to view tornado and damage images.
(http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/safety.html)
• "Tornado Preparedness Tips for School Administrators" - Storm Prediction Center - NOAA 

This site looks specifically at steps schools should take to assure student safetyy during a tornado, including finding shelter and what to do after the tornado.
(http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/school.html)
• "Thunderstorm and Camping Safety Tips" - National Severe Storm Laboratory - NOAA 

Includes tips on protecting yourself from tornadoes associated with thunderstorms while in the outdoors hiking or camping.
(http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/~doswell/tstm_camping_safety.html)

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
To learn more about cyclone circulation, visit the following web sites:

• "The Importance of a Spinning Earth" - Rice University's GLACIER page 

Introduces the concept of Coriolis force and explains how it relates to the motion of deflected masses (including air) in the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
(http://www.glacier.rice.edu/weather/3_coriolis.html)
• "Getting Around the Coriolis Force" - Van Domelen, D.J., The Ohio State University, Department of Physics 

Online article reviews the basic physics behind the Coriolis effect, how the Coriolis effect influences the operation of the atmosphere and oceans, and why the Coriolis effect is only relevant on certain (larger) scales.
(http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~dvandom/Edu/newcor.html)
To learn more about wind shear and airplanes, visit the following web sites:
• "Escape Through Time - Planes" - NOVA Online 

Briefly reviews the dangers caused by downbursts to aiplanes and discusses steps that have been taken to reduce the number of incidents involving microbursts and planes.
(http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/escape/timeplane.html#shear)
• "Delta Airlines Crash Dallas, TX" - Avaiation Crashes.Com 

(http://www.aviationcrashes.com/special/dl191.html)

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Resources:
Web Sites:

• National Weather Service home page 

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) home page 

http://www.noaa.gov/
• National Severe Storms Laboratory home page 

http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/
• National Climatic Data Center home page 

http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html 
• American Meteorological Society home page 

http://www.ametsoc.org/AMS/
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) home page 

http://www.nasa.gov/
• University Corporation for Atmospheric Research home page 

http://www.ucar.edu/ucar/index.html
• Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere home page 

http://www.cira.colostate.edu/
• About.com Weather page 

http://www.weather.about.com/science/weather/
• The Weather Channel home page 

http://www.weather.com/
• NWS: Commercial Weather Vendor Web Sites Serving the U.S. 

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/im/more.htm
• World Meteorological Organization home page 

http://www.wmo.ch/indexflash.html
• CNN Weather page 

http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) home page 

http://www.fema.gov/
• University of Michigan Weather Sites (over 350 weather links) 

http://cirrus.sprl.umich.edu/wxnet/servers.html

Maps:

• Geologic maps: State and local: 
• The United States Geological Survey National Geologic Map Database contains information on how and where to obtain geologic maps. (http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/) 
• Your state Geological Survey - find your state survey on-line at Association of American State Geologists (http://www.kgs.ukans.edu/AASG/AASG.html). 
• Download state geologic maps at About.com's site.  (http://geology.about.com/science/geology/cs/geomapsusstates/) 
• Reading Geologic Maps - informative review on how to read and interpret geologic maps.  (http://geology.about.com/science/geology/library/weekly/aa100800a.htm) 

 
• Geologic maps: Regional (two or more states): 
• The on-line bookstore of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (http://bookstore.AAPG.org; 918-584-2555) 
• Topographic maps: Local 
• The United States Geological Survey MapFinder allows you to order 7.5 minute maps online for $4 per map plus $5 s/h per order. (http://edc.usgs.gov/Webglis/glisbin/finder_main.pl?dataset_name=MAPS_LARGE) 
• The United States Geological Survey maintains a list of Map Dealers.  Click on your state to obtain a list of retailers who sell maps. (http://mapping.usgs.gov/esic/map_dealers/) 
• The United States Geological Survey National Geologic Map Database site on How to find topographic maps (http://ngmsvr.wr.usgs.gov/Other_Resources/rdb_topo.html) 
• TopoZone site allows you to download topographic maps (including USGS maps) for free, at various scales (from 1:100,000 to 1:24,000).  (http://www.topozone.com/) 
• MapServer offers free online viewing of topo, nautical and aeronautical charts plus high altitude digital ortho quads (nav photos). (www.maptech.com and www.mapserver.maptech.com) 
• General Map Resources: 
• An excellent list of map resources available online can be found on the Central Michigan University Resources for Earth Science and Geography Instruction web site.  Included are links to sites to make maps, as well as links to free downloadable outline maps, satellite imagery, GPS, and GIS databases. (http://personal.cmich.edu/~franc1m/locamap.htm) 
• "Maps" - USGS Earth Science Information Center, includes general map information, from how to read maps to how to obtain them.  Also includes links to further information regarding topographic, thematic, planetary maps, and more. (http://ask.usgs.gov/maps.html) 
• National Geographic (maps and videos): 1-800-962-1643 (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/index.html) 
• "Maps of the United States" - USGS fact sheet, contains a series of depictions of the United States, along with information on how to obtain additional US maps. (http://www.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/maps-us/index.html) 
• "Maps of the World" - USGS fact sheet, contains a series of world maps, including outline maps, seismicity maps, and political maps.  Also contains information for ordering more specific world maps. (http://www.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/maps-world/maps-world.html) 
• "National Atlas Maps" - USGS site of a variety of US maps that are available online, including shaded relief maps, aquifer maps, and further information on how to order maps not available online.  (http://www-atlas.usgs.gov/atlasmap.html?) 

Videos:

• National Severe Storm Laboratory - List of Weather and Climate Audiovisual Materials (PDF format) 
• National Geographic: Nature's Fury!, Cyclone!, Storm of the Century 

Books:

• NOAA's "Twister" Reading List (readings include general information about tornadoes, effects of tornadoes, and first person accounts)  

(http://www.lib.noaa.gov/edocs/twister.html)
• National Severe Storm Laboratory - List of Weather and Climate Printed Materials (PDF format) 

(http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/resources/section5.pdf)
• Peterson First Guides to Clouds and Weather: A simplified guide to the atmosphere, Day, J.A., Schaefer, V.J., and Peterson, R.T., 1998, Houghton Mifflin 
• Weather: Air Masses, Clouds, Rainfall, Storms, Weather Maps, Climate, Lehr et al., 1987, Golden Books Publishing Co. 
• Cambridge Guide to the Weather, Reynolds, R., Chabluk, S. and Baker, J., 2000, Cambridge University Press 
• National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Weather, Ludlum, D.M., 1991, Knopf 
• The Weather Book (2nd Ed.), Williams, J., 1997, Vintage Books 
• The Change in Weather: People, Weather, and the Science of Climate, Stevens, W.K., 2001, Delta 
• Clouds in a Glass of Beer: Simple Experiments in Atmospheric Physics, Bohren, C.F., 1987, John Wiley 

Magazines:

• Geotimes.  Published by the American Geological Institute, this magazine reviews current issues in the Earth Sciences and can serve as a valuable supplemental resource for teachers and students alike.  Visit the web site for online articles and information about obtaining a one-year subscription (40% discount for AGI Member Society members; 65% discount for students). 

(http://www.geotimes.org/current/)
• Storm Track Magazine (http://www.stormtrack.org/) 
• Excellent sources of high-school level articles are in both National Geographic (which often has maps), and Science News 

(describing the most recent and interesting events in scientific research.) 

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