Thursday, 30 June 2011

Chapter 12 - Rain or Thunderstorm

A Thunderstorm begins with convection process in an unstable atmosphere as moist heated air rises, condenses, and releases large quantities of heat. Resulting form this loss of heat creates updrafts, which in the developing stage of a thunderstorm can result in wind speeds of up to 30 meters per second. Raindrops and ice crystals may form in this stage, but due to the updraft they are not able to reach the ground. During the mature stage of a thunderstorm updrafts persist, and as a result towering cumulonimbus clouds are created. Downdrafts (due to the cooling form the precipitation) are also created during this stage of the thunderstorm, they are caused by the sheer amount of precipitation that is falling form the air, and heavy rain results form the bottom of the cloud. Within a few hours the moisture in the term is used up, and the storm dissipates. The video shows a thunderstorm, that resulted from a few days of great heat, and causes a great deal of rain. Though this video does not exhibit thunder it certainly was present, unfortunately elusive though!

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