Ch 20: Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 20: Weather Patterns and Severe Storms
About This Chapter
How it works:
- Identify the lessons in Prentice Hall Earth Science Weather Patterns and Severe Storms chapter with which you need help.
- Find the corresponding video lessons within this companion course chapter.
- Watch fun videos that cover the weather patterns and severe storms topics you need to learn or review.
- Complete the quizzes to test your understanding.
- If you need additional help, rewatch the videos until you've mastered the material or submit a question for one of our instructors.
Students will learn:
- Types of air masses and their effect on weather
- Types of weather fronts and their effect on weather
- Thunderstorms
- Tornadoes
- Hurricanes
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1. Types of Air Masses & Their Effect on Weather
Air masses are volumes of air with distinct characteristics, including location, temperature, and water content. Discover the different types of air masses and explore their effects on the weather.

2. Understanding Weather Fronts: Types & Their Effect on Weather
A weather front is the boundary or transition zone between two air masses that have different characteristics. Learn about the definition and types of weather fronts, discover how fronts affect weather, and find out the type of weather associated with every type of front.

3. What Are Thunderstorms? - Definition, Types & Formation
A thunderstorm is categorized as a heavy rainstorm that includes thunder and lightning. Learn more about thunderstorms, how they form, and where thunder and lightning come from.

4. What Are Tornadoes? - Definition, Causes & The Enhanced Fujita Scale
Tornadoes are dangerous spinning funnel clouds with wind speeds that can reach 300 mph, and they affect millions of people every year. Learn about the definition/causes of tornadoes and how scientists classify tornadoes using the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

5. Hurricanes: Types, Formation, Causes & Effects
A hurricane is a dangerous spinning tropical storm that affects millions of people every year and is commonly characterized by wind speeds in excess of 74 mph. Learn about the causes, effects, types, and formation of hurricanes.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Prentice Hall Earth Science: Online Textbook Help course
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 2: Minerals
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 3: Rocks
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 4: Earth's Resources
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 5: Weathering, Soil, and Mass Movements
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 6: Running Water and Groundwater
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 7: Glaciers, Deserts, and Wind
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 8: Earthquakes and Earth's Interior
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 9: Plate Tectonics
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 10: Volcanoes and Other Igneous Activity
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 11: Mountain Building
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 12: Geologic Time
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 13: Earth's History
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 14: The Ocean Floor
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 15: Ocean Water and Ocean Life
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 16: The Dynamic Ocean
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 17: The Atmosphere: Structure and Temperature
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 18: Moisture, Clouds, and Precipitation
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 19: Air Pressure and Wind
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 21: Climate
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 22: Origin of Modern Astronomy
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 23: Touring Our Solar System
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 24: Studying the Sun
- Prentice Hall Earth Science Chapter 25: Beyond Our Solar System