Squall
Lines, Supercells, and Dry Thunderstorms |
| Squall lines- Squall lines are a severe
thunderstorms created when separate thunderstorms collect into a line. This
line can go on for almost 100 miles and the thunderstorms are driven by
winds blowing higher than 60 miles per hour. These storms are often associated
with cold fronts. They also release rain, lightning
and hail. Tornadoes also
occur within squall lines. Supercells- Supercells are a severe thunderstorm that can last for hours at a time. These storms are capable of creating long lasting tornadoes, baseball size hail, strong downbursts of wind, and lightning. They are known for their rotating winds rising into the storm, which is called a “mesocyclone”. Dry Thunderstorms- Dry Thunderstorms serve a bigger
threat in the western USA then anywhere else in America. These thunderstorms
create many wildfires, because the humidity
where these storms occur is usually so low that as the rain is falling
from the cloud it evaporates in the air. This happens in a process called “virga”.
In these storms lightning still forms and cloud-to-ground strikes can
hit dry trees, with no water to extinguish the fire or slow
the blaze. |