MET 2010 Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Thunderstorm, Lightning, 50Th Parallel South
Document Summary
Cold air mass runs into a less dense warmer air mass. Causes cloud formation and potentially violent weather including thunder storms. A warm air mass runs into a colder air mass. Weather is likely to be warmer and humid with showers and light rain fall. Cold and warm air masses meet but neither has enough force to move the other. If the front stalls it can bring many days of clouds and precipitation. The most complex situation, where a warm air mass is caught between two cooler air masses. Involves sudden changes in air pressure which causes rapid air movements. Heavy rain storms that contain thunder and lightning. Form within cumulonimbus clouds, also called thunderheads tropical storm- storm with winds from 39-73 mph. A sudden discharge of energy charge between the cloud and the ground. Because sound travels slower than light you see the lightining before you hear it.
