Question

Which of the following is a characteristic of a severe thunderstorm?

A) Low wind speeds
B) Low humidity
C) Lack of lightning
D) Large hailstones

Answer 1

Large hailstones are characteristic of a severe thunderstorm, which also includes high wind speeds and intense lightning, influencing events like tree damage and ecological changes.

Step-by-step explanation:

One of the characteristics of a severe thunderstorm is the presence of large hailstones. Severe thunderstorms typically include features such as high wind speeds, increased humidity that contributes to cloud formation and precipitation, frequent and intense lightning, and large hail. These conditions can lead to significant damage, including downed trees, such as what happened in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota, and negatively affect ecosystems similar to how deserts suffer from very little rainfall. Events like the Dust Bowl, which was exacerbated by poor farming techniques and drought, underscore the impact of severe weather.