The region of the US that has the largest # of tornadoes is the Great Plains Oklahoma is the state in which the largest # of violent tornadoes occur Tornado Alley is located from TX to Indiana because this region aligns approximately with the typical orientation of strong cold fronts or dry lines as they move across the central US and this region aligns with the typical orientation of the jet stream during supercell outbreaksTornadoes are most common around 5 pmThe approximate mean path length of an EF5 tornado is 35 milesMajority of tornadoes move SW to NEF5 tornadoes occur rarely but stay on the ground the longest and cause the most fatalitiesThe most likely time to observe tornado would be between 5 and 6 pm during the month of MayWeak tornadoes (F0 and F1) are more common then stronger tornadoes (F5 and F6)since the conditions to produce these weak tornadoes are often found in supercellsTornadoes are common in the US because of its unique geography, including the Rockies to the W which help cyclones form, the Gulf of Mexico which provides moisture and the plains of central Canada where cold air originates An EF1 tornado would be weak whereas an EF5 tornado would be devastating Prior to the widespread use of Dopplar radar the only way to identify a possible tornado with radar to observe a hook echo in the radar echoYou would be able to identify the mesocycle signature associated with a tornadic super cell with Radar radical velocityMost lightning strikes occur over land On the order of 100 lighting strikes occur each second on EarthLightning frequency in the US decreases east to westThe greatest lighting flash density in the US occurs across central Florida Florida has the highest # of annual lighting related fatalities 15% of lighting strike victims are killed Lighting strike can heat the air it travels thru to 30,000C (54,000F)Lighting bolts are typically 5km (3mi)Diameter of lighting is typically 2 to 3 cmVoltage is the strength of an attractive force of electrical origin The earth’s surface has an excess amount of negative chargeThe atmosphere has an excess amount of positive charge When a cloud is electrified by interface charging:Ice crystals are swept upwardThe top of the cloud becomes positively chargedNegative charge accumulates between the freezing level at about -20CA proposed mechanism for enhancing the electrical charge separation in thunderstorm clouds is termed “induction charging.” Which of the following best describes the theory behind induction charging? Collisions between large and small ice particles cause charge separation because the top and bottom of each particle have acquired opposite charges from the existing electric field.Lighting can occur:Between cloudsFrom cloud to cloudFrom cloud to ground Thunderstorms form when the air within a lighting channel heats and cools rapidly, expanding and contracting Least likely to be injured by lighting in your carA thunderstorm is occurring. You note that your friend’s hair is standing on end. Which of the following is the best advice to give her concerning lightning safety? “Get down close to the