Take our Severe Weather Quiz
1. The worst month for severe thunderstorms in Kansas is:
A. August C. October
B. May D. March
2. The National Weather Service considers a thunderstorm severe if it produces hail at least ___ inch in diameter, wind of ___ mph or stronger, or a tornado.
A. 2, 80 C. 3/4, 58
B. 1, 70 D. 4, 100
3. The average number of tornadoes per year in Kansas is:
A. 25 C. 75
B. 50 D. 101
4. Tornadoes can occur at any time of the day, but the mostly likely time is between:
A. 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
B. 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
C. 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
D. 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.
5. The best shelter from a tornado or severe weather is:
A. a vehicle
B. a mobile home
C. a basement or strong sturdy shelter
D. under a highway overpass
6. The low pressure with a tornado causes buildings to ?explode? as the tornado passes overhead.
A. True
B. False
7. Windows should be opened before a tornado approaches to equalize pressure and minimize damage.
A. True
B. False
8. The rubber soles of shoes or rubber tires on a car will protect you from being struck by lightning.
A. True
B. False
9. If you are on a golf course and hear thunder, your best action is:
A. Quickly play the round and move to the next green.
B. Head for the club house.
C. Ignore the storm and hope it will blow over.
D. Get under a tree to stay dry.
10. During a local youth soccer game, you notice distant lightning flashes and hear low rumbles of the thunder. You should:
A. Go to the concession stand before it gets busy.
B. Get your umbrella ready in case it rains.
C. Bring it to the referee?s attention, and get in your car or a nearby building.
D. Stand under a tree to keep dry in case it rains.
11. People struck by lightning carry an electrical charge and should not be touched.
A. True
B. False
12. If you see a flash of lightning and the next clap of thunder is five seconds later, how far away is the thunderstorm?
A. 15 miles C. 5 miles
B. 10 miles D. 1 mile
13. The No. 1 cause of death associated with thunderstorms in Kansas since 1950 is:
A. Tornadoes
B. Lightning
C. Flash floods and floods
D. Hail
15. A depth of two feet of water will cause most vehicles to float.
A. True
B. False
16. A downburst wind from a thunderstorm can exceed 100 mph and cause damage equivalent to a strong tornado.
A. True
B. False
17. Large hail stones can fall at speeds faster than:
A. 30 mph C. 75 mph
B. 50 mph D. 100 mph
18. The Kansas tornado producing the most fatalities since 1900 occurred at:
A. Andover C. Salina
B. Topeka D. Udall
19. ?Tornado watch? means:
A. Tornadoes are possible.
B. Large hail is possible.
C. Strong and damaging winds are possible.
D. All the above are possible.
Kansas Tornado facts for 2006
- Number: 92 (37 above the 1950-2006 average of 55)
- Deaths: 0.
- Injuries: 18.
- Longest track: 17.0 miles (Washington County, April 6).
- Most in a county: 10 (Ford, Oct. 26)
- Number in Marion County: One confirmed report, according to the National Weather Service in Wichita. It touched down three miles west of Durham in a northeast motion for three miles. No injuries; total property damage estimated at $120,000.
- Days of occurrence: 22
- Most in one day: 28 (April 6). The record is 39 (June 15, 1992).
- First to touch down: Jan. 28, Harvey County
- Last to touch down: Oct. 26, Commanche County.
- Most in one month: 28 (October, a new record for the month, post-1950; the previous record was 19).
- Monthly totals: January 3, February 0, March 10, April 19, May 9, June 10, July 1, August 3, September 9, October 28, November 0, December 0.
- Year in review: The number of tornadoes in Kansas in 2006 fell short of the 2005 record-breaking year of 135. The tornadoes that occurred in January were the first to appear in that month since 1950.
