Why do thunderstorms cause wind?

Downward moving cold air spreads out when it hits the ground, often resulting in gusty winds. An upward moving air current that cools and condenses as it rises is what results in the thunderstorm forming. A downward moving air current develops as the storm matures and precipitation begins to fall.

What impact do thunderstorms have?

Thunderstorms can bring heavy rains (which can cause flash flooding), strong winds, hail, lightning, and tornadoes. Severe thunderstorms can cause extensive damage to homes and property. Lightning is a major threat during a thunderstorm.

How do thunderstorms affect air pressure?

As the air goes up in the thunderstorm’s updraft, it creates an area of low pressure under the updraft that acts to pull air in from around the thunderstorm. At the top of the storm the pressure is high compared to places far away from the storm and air is blown out.

When do thunderstorms most likely occur?

Thunderstorms are most likely to happen in the spring and summer months and during the afternoon and evening hours but can occur year-round and at all hours. southeastern and western states, most thunderstorms occur during the afternoon. afternoon and at night in the Plains states.

What Are winds doing within a thunderstorm to create a tornado?

Tornadoes only form when a thunderstorm has a particular combination of winds. Air rising in thunderstorms can begin to spin when it’s affected by winds blowing it in different directions. It starts to rise and is pushed to the side by wind. It rises a bit more and is jostled again by wind moving in another direction.

What severe weather do thunderstorms bring?

Thunderstorms also produce tornadoes and dangerous lightning; heavy rain can cause flash flooding. These hazards are covered in more detail under the tornado, lightning safety and flood safety websites.

Are thunderstorms high pressure or low pressure?

Thunderstorms, including tornadoes, are examples of small-scale low pressure areas. On a weather map, low pressure areas are label with an “L” and high pressure areas are labeled with an “H.” A low pressure area usually begins to form as air from two regions collides and is forced upward.

Why are thunderstorms associated with low pressure systems?

Cold, dense air squeezes its way through the warmer, less-dense air, and lifts the warm air. Because air is lifted instead of being pressed down, the movement of a cold front through a warm front is usually called a low-pressure system. Low-pressure systems often cause severe rainfall or thunderstorms.

What does high wind mean?

Thunderstorm wind gusts could climb as high as 80-90 mph in the strongest storms. According to the National Weather Service, a High Wind Warning means “sustained winds of 40 mph for one hour and/or frequent gusts of at least 58 mph are occurring or expected within the next 36 hours.”