Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are weather events that have the potential to be very high
impact. Therefore, understanding them and being able to create accurate forecasts and warnings
is extremely important. This lab will introduce you to both. Topics covered included:
• What a thunderstorm is and how they become severe
• What a tornado is
• How meteorologists forecast for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes
• The proper response when there is a threat of a tornado
Thunderstorms
A thunderstorm is merely a storm during which both lightning and thunder occur. Thunderstorms
can develop anywhere under the right conditions. There are three “ingredients” that we need for
thunderstorm development: moisture, instability, and lift.
1) Where might moisture in the atmosphere come from? Hint: think back to Lab 3!
2) What conditions in the atmosphere would cause it to become unstable (think back to Lab 4!)?
3) What are some potential sources of lift?
Sample Solution