How can tornadoes affect bodies of water?

Answer 1

Tornadoes have a minimal affect on oceans. A tornado on the ocean is called a waterspout. Waterspouts lift some water into the air but not much and can occasionally suck up fish that stray too close to the surface. The main effect of waterspouts is that they can pose a threat to boats in the area.

Answer 2

Tornadoes that travel over water have been known to create a spray of water and occsionally suck up fish and other animals. Strong tornadoes crossing small bodies of water can temporarily change the water level.

Answer 3

The Earth's rotation does not directly affect tornadoes, but it does affect the larger-scale systems that ultimately produce them. Earth's rotation causes large-scale storm systems to rotate, counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern. This is called cyclonic rotation. If wind shear is set up to set thunderstorms rotating, this large-scale wind patter will cause these storms to strongly favor cyclonic rotation. For this reason the vast majority of tornadoes have cyclonic rotation.

Another affect is through Earth's wind belts. Because of these wind belts weather systems in the temperate latitudes generally move eastward while those in the tropics generally move westward. Tornadoes, as a result, will generally follow this same pattern.

Answer 4

Tornadoes can stir up water, causing waves and even creating small tornadoes called "water spouts" on bodies of water. They can also pick up water and debris, potentially causing flooding and damage to surrounding areas. Additionally, tornadoes can produce strong winds that can push water inland, leading to storm surges and coastal flooding.

Answer 5

Ocean tides have absolutely no effect on tornadoes.

Answer 6

A tornado is an event that takes place within the atmosphere. Tornadoes are generated by strong thunderstorms, and therefore require an unstable atmosphere.

Answer 7

Tectonic plates do not affect tornadoes.