Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters when winds blow in opposite directions, eventually making landfall. Blizzards occur when warm and cold air masses collide, bringing strong winds and heavy snowfall. Tornadoes are fast rotating columns of air that often form a funnel shape, capable of causing severe damage with their high speed winds that can destroy buildings, topple trees, and lift vehicles.

1. Common Storms
Bad Example

2. VA SOL
Interrelationships in Earth/Space Systems
• 2.6 The student will investigate and
understand basic types, changes, and patterns
of weather. Key concepts include
a) identification of common storms and other
weather phenomena

3. Hurricanes
• A hurricane is a powerful thunderstorm that
forms when winds blowing in opposite
directions move past one another over the
warm waters of the ocean. After moving
across the ocean it often hits land.

4. Blizzards
• Winter storms derive their energy from the
clash of two air masses of different
temperatures and moisture levels. A blizzard is
a long-lasting snowstorm with very strong
winds and intense snowfall. You need three
things to have a blizzard

5. Tornadoes
• They consist of a very fast rotating column of
air that usually forms a funnel shape. They can
be very dangerous as their high speed winds
can break apart buildings, knock down trees,
and even toss cars into the air.