Extreme Weather Phenomena

Explanation: In the North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, intense tropical storms are called hurricanes. In the Northwest Pacific they are called typhoons, and in the Indian Ocean, cyclones.

Explanation: An anemometer is the instrument for measuring wind speed. There are several types: cup, propeller, or ultrasonic. A barometer measures atmospheric pressure.

Explanation: The Fujita scale (or Enhanced Fujita EF) classifies tornadoes from EF0 (weak) to EF5 (devastating) based on damage caused. It was created by meteorologist Ted Fujita in 1971.

Explanation: El Niño is a climate phenomenon characterized by abnormal warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. It occurs every 2 to 7 years and has worldwide climate repercussions.

Explanation: A blizzard is a snowstorm characterized by violent winds (above 56 km/h), heavy snowfall, and visibility reduced to less than 400 meters for at least 3 hours.

Explanation: Excessive precipitation is the main cause of floods. It can result from intense rainfall, snowmelt, or phenomena like hurricanes.

Explanation: A waterspout is a tornado that forms over a body of water. It can move onshore and become a land tornado.

Explanation: The cumulonimbus is the quintessential storm cloud. It can rise up to 15 km altitude and produce lightning, hail, torrential rain, and sometimes tornadoes.

Explanation: A haboob is an intense and sudden sandstorm, common in desert regions like the Sahara, Arizona, or Sudan. The word comes from Arabic "habūb" meaning "violent wind."

Explanation: The Beaufort scale, created in 1805 by British Admiral Francis Beaufort, classifies wind force from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane). It is still used in marine meteorology.