Chapter 11, Review Questions ______

1. Briefly describe the characteristics of the mature stage of the life cycle of a thunderstorm cell.

2. Distinguish between a roll cloud and a shelf cloud.

3. What causes the anvil top of a cumulonimbus cloud?

4. Provide two examples of multi-cellular thunderstorms.

5. Describe how and why thunderstorm frequency varies with Earth’s surface characteristics.

6. Why are severe thunderstorms and tornadoes more likely in spring than winter?

7. Describe the flash-to-bang method of determining the distance to an approaching thunderstorm.

8. In the coterminous U.S., the number of reports of severe hail has increased exponentially since 1955. Explain why.

9. Describe the location and significance of tornado alley.

10. What is the basis of the EF-scale?

Chapter 11, Critical Thinking Questions ______

1. Although most thunderstorm cells complete their life cycle in 30 minutes or so, thunderstorm weather may persist at a specific locality for 6-12 hrs or longer. Explain why.

2. What causes the Florida thunderstorm maximum?

3. Describe the role of vertical wind shear in the development of a severe thunderstorm.

4. How are microbursts a hazard to aviation?

5. Flash flooding is most likely in an atmosphere that is precipitation efficient. What is meant by precipitation efficient?

6. What forces govern the wind speed and direction in a tornado?

7. What is the relationship between a mesocyclone and a tornado?

8. Describe the formation of a wall cloud and a mammatus cloud. 9. What combination of atmospheric conditions favors development of a supercell thunderstorm?

10. What causes a radar hook echo and what might it signify?