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A tornado forms from the rotating updraft of a thunderstorm. The updraft of the tornado creates low pressure that causes air to spiral inward (usually counterclockwise int he northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern) and then upward.
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What chases the tornado?
storm chasers chase the tornado
What are the release dates for Tornado Chase '96 - 1996 TV?
Tornado Chase '96 - 1996 TV was released on: USA: 1996
Is a tornado cold or hot air?
Tornadoes typically form in a warm air mass, as that is what provides the energy, though it is often near a boundary with a cooler or drier air mass. However, due tot he pressure drop the air in a tornado is cooler than its surroundings.
Is a tornado a cloud?
No. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground. A tornado is often, but not always made visible by a funnel cloud. But the tornado is not the cloud itself.
What is a whirling circular mass of air and water in the center of a tornado?
The whirling circular mass of air and water in the center of a tornado is called the "eye." It is a relatively calm and clear area in the center of the storm where there is low pressure. The eye is surrounded by the eyewall, which is where the strongest wind speeds and heaviest precipitation occur.
Can a tornado's funnel cloud only be seen when there is dust and debris?
No. The funnel itself is made of condensation from the tornado sucking in moist air. In that sense it is much like an ordinary cloud.
Is a tornado heavy?
Not really. The winds of a tornado carry an enormous amount of force, but the tornado itself is composed almost entirely of air.
Why can we see the air in a tornado?
You cannot see the air itself, but you can see things that are in the air. The funnel itself is condensation. It consists of tiny droplets of water just like an ordinary cloud. Air entering tornado undergoes a rapid pressure drop which in turn causes a temperature drop. Since the air flowing into a tornado is usually moist, this causes the moisture to condense. Tornadoes can also lift significant amounts of soil and occasionally larger debris into the air, forming a debris cloud which can sometimes engulf the funnel.
Is a tornado a force?
A tornado is often described as a "force of nature" but in physics it is not a distinct force. Several forces are in operation in and around a tornado.
What type of pressure system is a tornado?
A tornado produces low pressure, but it is not a pressure system in and of itself.
Can a tornado happen in space?
No. A tornado is a vortex of air. There is no air in space.
Is there thunder in a tornado?
Not in the tornado itself. However, tornadoes occur during thunderstorms, so they are usually accompanied by thunder.
