Severe Thunderstorms and Hazards
Some storms are labeled “severe” by the National Weather Service. These storms have 0.75" hail and/or wind gusts of over 58 mph!
Severe thunderstorms form just like ordinary thunderstorms but are accompanied by strong areas of vertical wind shear. This means that winds can change speed or direction quickly as you go up into the storm.
Updrafts in these strong storms can form clouds all the way into the stable part of the atmosphere, up to and beyond 60,000 ft.
Hazards from thunderstorms include hail, strong wind, lightning, wildfires, heavy rain and tornadoes. Let’s take a closer look at some of these hazards.
Source: Thunderstorm | WikiMedia Commons