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It usually requires a special kind of thunderstorm called a supercell. These storms have a powerful, rotating updraft called a mesocyclone. It is believed that if a mesocyclone intensifies rapidly it creates a downdraft, called a read-flank downdraft or RFD, near the back of the storm. This downdraft wraps around the bottom portion of the mesocyclone, tightening ans intensifying the rotation to produce a tornado.
RFD winds can be very strong, sometimes exceeding 100 mph (160 km/h).
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Can a tornado have low wind speeds?
A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air, and generally speaking a tornado's winds must be strong enough to cause damage, so in short, no.
Why are strong tornadoes faster then weak tornadoes?
Strong tornadoes do not necessarily move faster, but the faster winds inside the tornado are the reason they're stronger. There are a number of factors affecting the strength of the winds inside a tornado and scientists still do not fully understand them. One factor simply has to do with the amount of energy in the atmosphere that can power a thunderstorm and thus a tornado. A thunderstorm also has to have strong rotation to produce a tornado, especially a strong one. If the rotation in a storm isn't strong enough, then not much of the energy will go into the winds of the tornado. Finally, the tornado's level or organization influences the winds it can generate. A disorganized tornado is unlikely to be able to focus its energy to produce the extreme winds seen in strong tornadoes.
Is the wind inside a tornado calm?
It is believed that there is a calm "eye" at the center of a tornado. But mostly the winds in a tornado are very strong.
How do you know how strong a tornado is?
Meteorologists and engineers look at the aftermath to determine the intensity of the winds. It is possible to get a rough idea of how strong a tornado is by how fast its rotating.
How strong can thunderstorms winds get without a tornado?
Microbursts can produce winds of up to 150 miles per hour.
How strong can the winds in a tornado funnel reach?
On rare occasions winds in a tornado can get to a little over 300mph.
Why does a tornado cause damage?
A tornado has extremely powerful winds, far stronger than those of a normal storm. The winds can tear away at buildings or simply push them over. If a tornado is strong enough the winds pick up objects and turn them into high speed projectiles that can cause even more damage.
In what ways does a tornado cause damage to property?
Tornadoes cause damage through a combination of powerful winds that can tear apart structures and vegetation and flying debris that can cause severe damage on impact.
Are cyclones faster than tornadoes?
It depends on the cyclone, and the tornado. In some cases cyclone winds and tornado winds fall into the same range. However, tornado winds are generally stronger. By definition, a tornado must produce winds strong enough to cause damage; the same is not true of a cyclone. The very strongest tornadoes produce winds in excess of 300 mph, the fastest winds on earth.
Can a tornado have low wind speeds?
A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air, and generally speaking a tornado's winds must be strong enough to cause damage, so in short, no.
Do strong winds occur before a tornado?
yes
Why are strong tornadoes faster then weak tornadoes?
Strong tornadoes do not necessarily move faster, but the faster winds inside the tornado are the reason they're stronger. There are a number of factors affecting the strength of the winds inside a tornado and scientists still do not fully understand them. One factor simply has to do with the amount of energy in the atmosphere that can power a thunderstorm and thus a tornado. A thunderstorm also has to have strong rotation to produce a tornado, especially a strong one. If the rotation in a storm isn't strong enough, then not much of the energy will go into the winds of the tornado. Finally, the tornado's level or organization influences the winds it can generate. A disorganized tornado is unlikely to be able to focus its energy to produce the extreme winds seen in strong tornadoes.
What happens on the ground during a tornado?
Air around the tornado spirals in toward it and then spirals moves upward in the tornado itself. The winds are very strong and can cause major damage to vegetation and man-made structures. Parts of destroyed structures can get carried by the winds as dangerous debris.
Is the wind inside a tornado calm?
It is believed that there is a calm "eye" at the center of a tornado. But mostly the winds in a tornado are very strong.
In what 2 ways can a tornado cause damage?
Tornadoes cause damage through powerful winds which, on rare occasions, are strong enough to tear buildings from their foundations. Tornadoes also cause damage through the high-speed debris carried by the winds.
The destructive power of a tornado is due to what?
Very strong winds are the primary destructive force in a tornado. Secondary damage can be caused by objects picked up by these winds.
What characeristics does a storm have to have to be categoreized as a tornado?
To be considered a tornado, a storm mustRotateProduce ground level winds strong enough to cause damageBe in contact with both the ground, and the cloud base of a parent storm
