In the summer, the eastern plains of Colorado experience thunder storms almost every day. Many of these storms are quite severe with lightening and often hail. During the hot summer days, the mountains serve as a “thunderstorm factory” with clouds forming very quickly over the mountains during the summer morning and drifting over the plains by mid afternoon. The best advice is to stay indoors during a thunderstorm to avoid being struck by lightning. Lightning is dangerous especially if you are standing outside.

1. Which of the following describes summer weather on the eastern plains of Colorado?

• balmy
• thunderstorms
• lightening

2. In the morning the clouds form first in the

• parks
• city
• mountains

3. What is the best advice during a thunderstorm?

• Go outside to watch the clouds.
• Stay inside until the storm is over.
• Watch from under a large tree.
• Keep playing. Water won't hurt you.

4. Sometimes the Rocky Mountains are a

Last Updated: 3/24/09

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