It varies widely depending in part on strength. On researcher calculated that the median path length for U.S. tornadoes from 1950 to 1982 was just under 1 mile, which works out to a duration of just under 2 minutes (assuming an average speed of 30 mph).
However, the median if calculated today would probably be better documented as we have improved in our ability to find the weaker, shorter lived tornadoes.
Very destructive tornadoes. Median duration varies with intensity, ranging from 45 seconds for F0 tornadoes to 47 minutes for F5 tornadoes. Furthermore, these figures are only medians, and values can vary significantly either way. Brief touch downs have been observed to have lasted as little as 10 seconds while the longest duration on record was 3 hours and 29 minutes. For strong tornadoes durations of 10 to 20 minutes are not uncommon, with violent tornadoes being in the range of 20 minutes to an hour.
The duration of a tornado can vary greatly, from a few seconds to several hours. On average, a tornado lasts for about 10 minutes. Tornado strength, size, and environmental conditions all play a role in determining how long a tornado will last.
A typical tornado lasts several hours, often more than 5 hours.
A typical tornado lasts one to five minutes. The longest-lived tornado on record lasted for three and a half hours.
Most likely not. The longest a tornado has been known to last was about 3.5 hours.
The largest tornado on record, the El Reno tornado, occurred on May 31, 2013, and lasted for approximately 40 minutes. It reached a maximum width of 2.6 miles and was classified as an EF3 tornado. While it was not the longest in duration, its massive size and intensity made it particularly notable in tornado history.
As of May 16, 2012 the last tornado was two days ago.
It varies. A tornado warning may last for just a few minutes or over an hour.
4 mins
3.5 hours
3.5 hours
The duration of a tornado can vary greatly, from a few seconds to several hours. On average, a tornado lasts for about 10 minutes. Tornado strength, size, and environmental conditions all play a role in determining how long a tornado will last.
The Tri-State tornado lasted for 3 hours and 29 minutes.
It was on the ground for about 30 minutes.
The Moore, Oklahoma tornado of 2013 lasted approximately 40 minutes.
A typical tornado lasts several hours, often more than 5 hours.
A typical tornado lasts one to five minutes. The longest-lived tornado on record lasted for three and a half hours.
There is no given duration for a tornado of any intensity, but a tornado as violent as an EF5 will generally last fairly long. Most will likely last for at least 20 minutes. Some may last for well over an hour.