Storms worksheet - Free Printable

Let's go through each question one by one and solve them with explanations:

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4. This storm has the most powerful winds:

(a) Tornado
(b) Hurricane
(c) Thunderstorm

✔ Correct answer: (a) Tornado

Explanation:
Tornadoes have the most powerful winds of any storm system. While hurricanes can have sustained high winds (up to 150–200 mph), tornadoes—especially strong ones like EF5—can have wind speeds exceeding 300 mph, making them the most intense in terms of wind speed.

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5. Called a waterspout when formed over water:

(a) Tornado
(b) Hurricane
(c) Thunderstorm

✔ Correct answer: (a) Tornado

Explanation:
A waterspout is essentially a tornado that forms over water. It’s a rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the water surface. So, when a tornado forms over water, it's called a waterspout.

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6. Also known as cyclone or typhoon –

(a) Tornado
(b) Hurricane
(c) Thunderstorm

✔ Correct answer: (b) Hurricane

Explanation:
Hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons are all the same type of storm—tropical cyclones—but they are named differently depending on the region:
- Hurricane – Atlantic and Northeast Pacific
- Cyclone – Indian Ocean and South Pacific
- Typhoon – Northwest Pacific

So, "hurricane" is the correct answer here.

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7. Mostly forms along the edges of cold fronts –

(a) Tornado
(b) Hurricane
(c) Thunderstorm

✔ Correct answer: (a) Tornado

Explanation:
Tornadoes often form along cold fronts, especially in supercell thunderstorms. These occur when warm, moist air meets cold, dry air, creating instability and rotation. While thunderstorms can also form along cold fronts, tornadoes specifically develop in certain types of severe thunderstorms near these fronts.

Note: Hurricanes do not form along cold fronts—they form over warm tropical oceans. Thunderstorms can form along cold fronts, but the question asks for what *mostly* forms there, and tornadoes are a key result of such conditions.

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8. This storm has an 'eye' –

(a) Tornado
(b) Hurricane
(c) Thunderstorm

✔ Correct answer: (b) Hurricane

Explanation:
The eye is a calm, clear center of a hurricane (or tropical cyclone). It's surrounded by the eyewall, where the strongest winds and rain occur. Tornadoes and thunderstorms do not have an eye.

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✔ Final Answers:

4. (a) Tornado
5. (a) Tornado
6. (b) Hurricane
7. (a) Tornado
8. (b) Hurricane

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