9.2 Weather Hazards

     Hello class, today I have chosen to discuss thunderstorms for the weather hazard. Thunderstorm (n.d.) explained that thunderstorms are formed by a process called convection which is defined as the transport of heat energy. In the first stage, moisture must be present for clouds and then warm air rises, gets cooled, and the water vapor condenses into droplets (Thunderstorm, n.d.). The next part is for more air to be lifted and this is done by convections, fronts, low pressure systems, and other surface weather systems (Thunderstorm, n.d.). When precipitation begins then rain, snow, or hail will drop and cool the surrounding air (Thunderstorms, n.d.). Then, friction from ice can create a static charge which will later grow and release electrical discharges (Thunderstorm, n.d.). I chose this hazard because of the danger that it brings to pilots. Danger (n.d.) explains other hazards that go along with thunderstorms. The first is severe turbulence which is a mix of air moving in different directions (Danger, n.d.). Another danger is icing and hail (Danger, n.d.). These form when the temperature is around zero and minus 23 degrees Celsius (Danger, n.d.). Lightning can also occur and it is very important to stay away from lightning and thunderstorms because nothing good will come if an aircraft gets close (Danger, n.d.).  It will also become cloudy and the visibility can become very poor (Danger, n.d.). I also chose this hazard because in the past I had made a flight plan to depart to an international airport to pick up family members. Early that day precipitation began to form. I kept on checking the weather to see if it would get better but it did not and eventually it created a storm and I had to drive to the airport. Making no-go decisions is important because the flight might not be the safest way of transportation. 

References

Thunderstorm formation and aviation hazards. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2021, from https://www.weather.gov/media/publications/front/11jul-front.pdf.

Thunderstorm dangers. EAI. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2021, from https://www.experimentalaircraft.info/flight-planning/aviation-hazards-4.php.