lexis4u: Storm

Thematic Vocabulary Unit Nº 065 v.2

Main Definitions

storm 1 |n| a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow.
"A storm blew in off the ocean."
storm 2 |n| a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning.
"A storm had been brewing all day."

Kinds of Storms

blizzard |n| a snow storm with very strong winds.
"And then there are the weather warnings for hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards , floods, winds, and tides."
cyclone |n| rapid inward circulation of air masses about a low pressure center; circling counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern.
"The ciclone stuck the village late last night."
electrical storm |n| a thunderstorm or other violent disturbance of the electrical condition of the atmosphere.
"In short, this could manifest itself into tornadoes, hurricanes and electrical storms."
gale |n| a very strong wind.
"It was almost blowing a gale.
whirlwind |n| a column of air moving rapidly around and around in a cylindrical or funnel shape.
"They can cause dust devils and whirlwinds , though these are nothing when compared to the immense dust storms that can occur."
hurricane |n| a storm with a violent wind, in particular a tropical cyclone in the Caribbean.
"In fact, tropical storms or hurricanes have ended many droughts in Texas, and other parts of the world."
monsoon |n| a period of very heavy rains in particular countries, or the wind that brings this rain.
rainstorm |n| a storm with heavy rain.
"El Nino will lead to abnormal weather and the increase of tropical cyclones will bring more rainstorms to the lower reaches of the Yangtze River."
tempest |n| a violent windy storm.
"Abruptly following, a hoard of men appeared on the ridge, and with a howl like a raging tempest , chaos erupted."
thunderstorm |n| a storm with thunder and lightning and typically also heavy rain or hail.
"Tornadic thunderstorms can also produce waterspouts and downbursts."
windstorm |n| a storm with very strong wind but little or no rain or snow; a gale.
"Besides genetics, factors that keep most eastern old growth from soaring to the skies are thin, rocky soils and frequent hurricanes, windstorms , and ice storms."

Storm Elements

lightning |n| the occurrence of a natural electrical discharge of very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud, accompanied by a bright flash and typically also thunder.
"A tremendous flash of lightning."
flood |n| an overflowing of a large amount of water beyond its normal confines, especially over what is normally dry land.
"In a thousand miles the flood destroyed every bridge."
thunderbolt |n| a flash of lightning with a simultaneous crash of thunder.
"I expect she was trying to escape the Suffolk weather, which, when it's not bombarding us with thunderbolts and lightning (very very frightening), is chucking meteorites at us."
thunder |n| a loud rumbling or crashing noise heard after a lightning flash due to the expansion of rapidly heated air.
"Flash floods with thunder and lightning were rampant at the weekend."
rumble |n| a continuous deep, resonant sound like distant thunder.
"The steady rumble of traffic."
tornado / twister |informal| |n| a mobile, destructive vortex of violently rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel-shaped cloud and advancing beneath a large storm system.
"These clouds often bring thunder and lightning, and can also bring funnel clouds or even tornadoes."
whirlwind |n| a column of air moving rapidly around and around in a cylindrical or funnel shape.
"They can cause dust devils and whirlwinds , though these are nothing when compared to the immense dust storms that can occur."

Related Words

damage |n| physical harm caused to something in such a way as to impair its value, usefulness, or normal function.
"Mr Smith said severe physical illness had resulted in physical damage to the brain.
shelter |n| a place giving temporary protection from bad weather or danger."
"We need up to 45,000 more winterised tents and temporary shelters ."
"I took shelter from the storm in the clubhouse."