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The storm that produces tornadoes (called a supercell) has a powerful, rotating updraft called a mesocyclone. The storm takes on this rotation when wind speed and/ or direction changes with altitude. This can start air rolling in what is called horizotnal vorticity. This horizontal rotation can then get turned vertical and become joined with a thunderstorms updraft to start it rotating on a vertical axis.
Tornadoes get their rotation from a rotating updraft called a mesocyclone. The tornado actually originates from the mesocyclone. The mesocyclone is part of a type of powerful thunderstorm called a supercell.
The supercell gets its rotation when the wind speed or direction changes with altitude. This starts air rolling horizontally. This horizontal rolling can then get turned vertical by a thunderstorm updraft, which in turn starts the updraft rotating.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoTornadoes are called twisters because they spin around.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoAny tornado can be called a twister, not just some. Tornadoes are called twisters because they spin.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe center of a tornado has intense low pressure. This creates a pressure gradient force directed inward, toward the center of the tornado, keeping the spinning air within the vortex.
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What are other names for tornadoes?
Tornadoes are often called twisters. Some people call them cyclones, though this is not a correct name as it already applies to something else.
Are hurricanes sometimes called typhoons?
Not necessarily, hurricanes are much larger in size and force. Hurricanes are a storm and tornadoes are the result of a storm. Tornadoes are rotational winds and a hurricane is a rotaional storm but they are two very different phenomena.
What is the difference between a tornado and a willy willies?
Tornadoes and twisters are the same thing. Willy-willy is an Australian word that has been used to describe something quite different. A willy willy is a small to medium sized dust-devil, or rotating wind, which picks up debris and sand particles. It is not a sandstorm: neither is it restricted to deserts and sandy regions. Although it is more common in the outback, it can regularly be encountered within open suburban areas such as school grounds or parks. It is not a powerful as a tornado; tornadoes in Australia are rare, but they are still nly called tornadoes. Willy-willies are completely harmless, with the most damage being dust in one's eye. It is important to note that, for some time, a popular information site has perpetrated the misinformation that the Australian Bureau of Meteorology refers to a willy-willy as a cyclone near Australia. This is blatantly incorrect.
Why does a tornado sometimes damage one house and not the other house next to it?
Some tornadoes, called multiple vortex or multivortex tornadoes, have smaller suction vortices, sort of mini-twisters, moving around in side of them. These suction vortices have stronger winds and can sometimes do much worse damage than the winds in the rest of the tornado. Sometimes these vortices are only a few yards wide.
Do tornadoes only go counter clockwise?
No, most tornadoes in the southern hemisphere rotate clockwise. Additionally, some tornadoes, called anticyclonic tornadoes, rotate clockwise in the northern hemisphere. Fewer than 1% of tornadoes are anticyclonic.
What else are tornadoes called?
Tornadoes are sometimes called twisters.
What are twisters also called?
Answer: Tornadoes
Are tornadoes called twisterts?
Twisters-yes.
Another name you call tornadoes?
Tornadoes are often called twisters.
What are American tornadoes called?
Tornadoes in the United States are simply called tornadoes. In informal contexts they are sometimes called twisters.
Are tornadoes called different names?
They can also be called twisters.
What is a tornado known as?
Tornadoes are sometimes called twisters.
Are tornadoes called anything or are thay just called tornadoes?
Tornadoes are sometimes called twisters, but tornado is the preferred scientific term.
Are twisters related to tornadoes?
Tornadoes and twisters are the exact same thing.
What is a tornado's common nickname?
Tornadoes are often called twisters.
What are tornadoes sometimes called?
They are called funnel clouds or, more often, twisters.
Are twisters stronger or more powerful than tornadoes?
No. Twisters and tornadoes are the same thing.
