WEATHER TERMS

123456789101112131415161718192021222324
Across
  1. 2. These clouds are ragged and wind torn and are not usually attached to the thunderstorm. By the untrained, these can be misinterpreted as tornadoes, since they can hang low to the ground.
  2. 5. A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending to the thunderstorm base, often seen extending from near the wall cloud. It can be a few yards across to a mile wide.
  3. 7. The dark underside of a cloud--its base--that has no visible precipitation falling from it.
  4. 9. A line of cumulus clouds connected to and extending outward from the most active portion of a parent cumulonimbus, usually found on the southwest (right, rear) side of a storm. The cloud line has roughly a stair-step appearance with the taller clouds adjacent to the parent cumulonimbus. It is most frequently associated with strong or severe thunderstorms.
  5. 10. A cauliflower-shaped cloud with a flat base and sharp edges. Tufts are rising columns of air condensing. As the cloud and cloud droplets grow in size, the base will begin to gray.
  6. 13. This cloud appears as an abrupt lowering of the cloud base from the relatively flat rain-free base. It is attached to a thunderstorm and may be rotating. This is the portion of the thunderstorm from which the tornado often descends.
  7. 14. A small downburst affecting an area less than 2.5 km in diameter.
  8. 16. Also called mamma clouds, appear to be hanging, rounded protuberances or pouches on the underside of the cloud.
  9. 18. Type of front that is the leading edge of the thunderstorm's downdraft of air as it spreads out away from the storm. It is usually felt as a change to gusty cool winds and often precedes the thunderstorm's rain by several minutes.
  10. 20. A low-level, wedge-shaped cloud attached to the thunderstorm. It forms above the gust front as warm air ahead of the storm rides over the cool outflow from the thunderstorm.
  11. 21. Lightning causes this, a sound from the shock wave which develops as gases in the vicinity of the discharge experience a sudden increase in pressure.
  12. 22. Precipitation in the form of balls or clumps of ice.
  13. 23. Thunderstorm (cumulonimbus) is a towering cumulus cloud has continued to grow in height and width and now ___ is occurring. The storm may extend 5 to 10 miles high into the atmosphere and 5 to 25 miles across. Heavy rain and gusty winds often accompany the storms.
Down
  1. 1. A funnel-shaped cloud extending from a towering cumulus or thunderstorm. It is associated with a rotating column of air that has condensed to form a cloud.
  2. 3. Warm, moist, rising air that condenses into a visible cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud.
  3. 4. A column of cool air that sinks toward the ground. It is most often accompanied by rain.
  4. 5. spreading out (by strong winds) of the upper portion of the thunderstorm. It usually has a fibrous or smooth appearance. With long-lasting thunderstorms, the anvil may spread more than 100 miles downwind.
  5. 6. A sudden rush of cool air toward ground that can impact with speeds greater than 70 mph and produce damage similar to that of a tornado. It usually occurs near the leading edge of the storm or may occur in heavy rain. Viewing the damage from the air does not reveal evidence of a twisting motion or convergence toward a central track, like it would for a tornado.
  6. 8. The motions of warm air riding up and over cool air moving down and under creates a swirling of air or an eddy in this type of cloud.
  7. 11. A larger downburst affecting an area greater than 2.5 km in diameter.
  8. 12. A towering ___ cloud that continues to grow so that its height is taller than or equal to its width. It is the first stage toward growing into a thunderstorm and may produce a shower.
  9. 15. Called a precipitation ___, this is a visible column of rain or hail falling from the base of the cloud.
  10. 17. A thunderstorm producing damaging winds (trees down, etc.) or winds 58 mph or more and/or hail three-quarter of an inch or greater in diameter.
  11. 19. A solid line or band of active thunderstorms.
  12. 24. A radar pattern sometimes observed in the right, rear quadrant of a tornadic thunderstorm. The updraft is the hollow portion of the hook (looks like a backwards "J" or a 6) and is where the tornado would most likely be found (if the storm were to produce one).