Examples of Severe Weather
Listening to the nightly news, we hear discussions of sun, rain, clouds and daily temperature expectations. Those are all weather. Here are some additional examples of severe weather.
THUNDERSTORMS
Thunderstorms produce heavy rains and lighting. Severe storms can produce strong winds, tornados, and flooding.
TORNADOES
A tornado is a violently spinning column of air that descends from thunderstorm clouds down to the ground.
EXTREME HEAT
Extreme heat occurs when temperatures are averaging 10 degrees hotter than normal for weeks. It often includes high temperatures and high humidity.
FLOODS
Heavy rains or slow-moving thunderstorms can create flooding. A flood can develop quickly within minutes or gradually over many hours.
LIGHTNING STRIKES
Most often, lightning is seen in thunderstorms. It sometimes occurs during snowstorms. Lightning is a humongous spark of static electricity.
EXTREME COLD
Extremely cold temperatures and heavy snowfall can completely shut down a region. Winter storms commonly cause closed roads and downed power lines. They can also create flooding.