Storm

Any organized disturbed state (implying a departure from a quiescent state) of the atmosphere, especially as affecting the earth's surface and strongly implying destructive or otherwise unpleasant weather.

In meteorology, a storm is a complete, organized individual, three dimensional disturbance identified on synoptic charts as an organized complex of pressure, wind, clouds, precipitation, etc...

Thus, storms range in scale from tornadoes and thunderstorms, through tropical cyclones, to widespread extratropical wave cyclones.

Background Information Needed?

 

Satellite Image of Extratropical Wave Cyclone in 1997

 Tropical Cyclone (Hurricane)

 

Generic term for a "severe" nonfrontal synoptic-scale cyclone orginating over tropical or subtropical waters. Such storms are differentiated from extratropical cyclones by having warm cores (as opposed to warm and cold sectors).

They are also associated with organized convection having definite counterclockwise surface wind circulation, often observable in cloud motions and features. In early stages, tropical cyclones move from east to west in the broad zone of the prevailing easterlies.

Additional classification of tropical cyclones is made depending upon organization and wind speed.

(A hurricane is an intense tropical cyclone with maximum 1-minute sustained surface wind greater than 64 knots [74 mph]). All tropical storms are comprised of clusters of thunderstorms, many or most are severe.

 

Hurricane Georges

Track of Hurricane Georges

Legend for this figure

 

Tornado

A small mass of air (whirlwind) that spins rapidly about an almost vertical axis and forms a funnel cloud that contacts the ground; appears as a pendant from a cumulonimbus cloud and is potentially the most destructive of all weather systems. Tornadoes have diameters ranging from ten meters to over several thousand meters. All tornadoes are associated with thunderstorms (which, by definition, are severe).

(Above) Forming Tornado, Sunnyvale CA, 5/4/98

(Below) Sunnyvale Tornado from Directly Beneath.

 

Tornado Near Miami TX May 28, 1994

Developing Roswell NM Tornado
May 25, 1999

Forming Tornado Near Anthony KS
May 25, 1997