What Is a Tornado and How Does It Form?
What Is a Tornado and How Does It Form? A tornado, or twister, is a violently rotating column of air that extends between the Earth’s surface and a cloud, usually...
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What Makes Hail?
During a thunderstorm, balls of ice, called hail, may fall. Hail starts as rain. Before the drops can fall, strong air currents carry them to the upper part of the...
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What Makes Thunder?
What Makes Thunder? A bolt of lightning is a big electric spark. During a thunderstorm, electrical charges are built up in the clouds. When the charge becomes strong...
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What Is Saint Elmo’s Fire?
Saint Elmo’s fire is the name given to the glow of light that is sometimes seen on ship masts, airplane wings and church steeples during a thunderstorm. It is...
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What Causes Lightning?
What Causes Lightning? Lightning is an electric current. During a thunderstorm, water droplets in the clouds become charged with electricity as they are bounced about...
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