severe weather

Politicians debate efforts to improve the nation’s electrical grid

Power lines. Image Credit: U.S. Department of Energy

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on January 23 that underscored concerns surrounding the reliability and resiliency of the electrical power system, particularly under certain weather conditions. Experts on the witness panel discussed the overall performance of nation’s grid during recent cold weather events, and potential areas for improvement.

EarthComm Earth's Fluid Spheres: Weather and Your Community Activity 6

Here you will find resources to help educators and their students to Construct a map of tornado frequency throughout the United States; Determine from the map the likelihood of a tornado where you live.; Describe the relationship between tornado and thunderstorm distribution across the U.S.; Explain the relationship between tornado frequency and time of the year.; Examine tornado safety procedures to follow while at school, at home, or outside.; Understand that there are misconceptions related to tornado safety.

EarthComm Earth's Fluid Spheres: Weather and Your Community Activity 5

Here you will find resources to help educators and their students to Interpret data on casualties due to lightning; Describe what causes lightning; Explain the relationship between lightning and thunder; Realize that many myths and misconceptions about lightning can be dangerous; Know what safety precautions need to be taken during any lightning event; Understand that lightning is a process where electrical energy flows between the atmosphere and Earth’s surface or between different clouds.

EarthComm Earth's Fluid Spheres: Weather and Your Community Activity 4

Here you will find resources to help educators and their students to determine the flow of surface water using a topographic map; Examine factors that allow thunderstorms to persist for long periods of time; Explain the connection between topography and flash flooding; Realize the relationship between population growth and the likelihood of fatalities due to a flash flood; Read accounts of flash-flood disasters; Understand that wise land-used planning can reduce the danger from flash floods.

EarthComm Earth's Fluid Spheres: Weather and Your Community Activity 2

Here you will find resources to help educators and their students to investigate relationships between air temperature and water vapor; observe and record changes in the shape and movement of clouds; simulate cloud formation in a bottle; describe cloud formation in terms of expansional cooling; explain the conditions that cause thunderstorms to mature; learn about conditions that may lead to the development of severe weather.

EarthComm Earth's Fluid Spheres: Weather and Your Community Activity 1

Here you will find resources to help educators and their students to investigate how the density of air changes with change in air temperatures; relate the frequency of occurrence of thunderstorms to the topography of an area; relate the occurrence of thunderstorms to the temperatures in an area; recognize areas in the US where thunderstorms are relatively frequent. Learn how air masses at different temperatures interact; understand why severe weather often occurs during specific seasons.

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