Answer: To turn an ordinary thunderstorm into a tornado-spinning monster, all of the choices mentioned in options A, B, and C need to be present. These conditions create the perfect environment for severe thunderstorm development and the formation of tornadoes. The correct answer is D. All of the choices are correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
To turn an ordinary thunderstorm into a tornado-spinning monster, several conditions need to be present. These conditions include:
1. A low-altitude, northerly flow of warm, humid, tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico: This warm and moist air provides the necessary fuel for thunderstorm development. The warm air rises, creating an updraft and contributing to the formation of severe thunderstorms.
2. A cold, dry air mass moving down from Canada or out of the Rocky Mountains at > 50 mph: This cold and dry air mass acts as a trigger for instability. When the cold air collides with the warm and moist air, it creates a strong temperature contrast and enhances the development of thunderstorms.
3. Jet-stream winds racing east at speeds in excess of 150 mph: The strong jet-stream winds provide the necessary wind shear, which is the change in wind speed and direction with height. Wind shear is essential for the rotation of thunderstorms and the formation of tornadoes.
When all these conditions are present, an ordinary thunderstorm can intensify and transform into a tornado-spinning monster. The warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico interacts with the cold, dry air mass, and the strong jet-stream winds provide the necessary rotation and instability for tornado formation.