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It is a myth. The pressure drop inside a tornado is not large enough to cause significant damage. Buildings are torn apart by the powerful winds of a tornado.

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Does low pressure in a tornado cause buildings to explode as the tornado passes overhead?

No, buildings do not explode due to low pressure in a tornado. The destructive force in a tornado comes from high-speed winds and flying debris, not pressure differentials. Buildings may collapse or sustain damage from the strong winds and debris impact.


Does low pressure cause buildings to expload when a tornado passes overhead?

No, that is a complete myth. It is the wind and debris in a tornado that destroys buildings. First the pressure drop is not enough to cause significant damage to a building. The largest reliably recorded pressure drop in a tornado was 100 millibars, but a pressure difference of about 350 millibars is needed to destroy most buildings. Second, buildings are not airtight so pressure will equalize quickly. Third, even if the two statements above were not true the winds and debris in moderate to strong tornado would create enough holes to equalize pressure, if not destroy the building before the center of the tornado (where the lowest pressure is) reaches it. A tornado with a 100 millibar pressure drop would produce winds strong enough to completely level most structures.


Does a tornado's low air pressure often make houses explode?

No, houses are more likely to be damaged by the strong winds and flying debris associated with a tornado rather than from the low air pressure. Most houses are not airtight enough for the pressure differences caused by a tornado to make them explode.


Does a tornado's air pressure make houses explode?

No. It was once believed that the low pressure inside a tornado would cause houses to explode, but this notion was disproven by the 1990s. It is the wind and debris in a tornado that destroys houses, not the low pressure.


What type of air pressure do tornadoes have?

Tornadoes have low air pressure at their center, known as the "eye" of the tornado. This sudden drop in air pressure can contribute to the destructive forces of a tornado by causing buildings to implode and trees to snap.

Related Questions

Does low pressure in a tornado cause buildings to explode as the tornado passes overhead?

No, buildings do not explode due to low pressure in a tornado. The destructive force in a tornado comes from high-speed winds and flying debris, not pressure differentials. Buildings may collapse or sustain damage from the strong winds and debris impact.


What is true low pressure with a tornado causes building to explode?

No, low pressure in a tornado does not cause buildings to explode. That is a common myth.


It can explode buildings because of sudden air pressure shifts?

Tornados


Would low pressure tornado cause buildings to explode as the tornado passes overhead?

No. This was once believed but has since been disproven. The pressure drop inside a tornado is insufficient to cause significant damage. Damage is caused instead by the wind in the tornado and debris carried by it. Even in a tornado of moderate intensity, this damage would put enough holes in a building to equalize pressure rather quickly.


Does low pressure cause buildings to expload when a tornado passes overhead?

No, that is a complete myth. It is the wind and debris in a tornado that destroys buildings. First the pressure drop is not enough to cause significant damage to a building. The largest reliably recorded pressure drop in a tornado was 100 millibars, but a pressure difference of about 350 millibars is needed to destroy most buildings. Second, buildings are not airtight so pressure will equalize quickly. Third, even if the two statements above were not true the winds and debris in moderate to strong tornado would create enough holes to equalize pressure, if not destroy the building before the center of the tornado (where the lowest pressure is) reaches it. A tornado with a 100 millibar pressure drop would produce winds strong enough to completely level most structures.


Does a tornado's low air pressure often make houses explode?

No, houses are more likely to be damaged by the strong winds and flying debris associated with a tornado rather than from the low air pressure. Most houses are not airtight enough for the pressure differences caused by a tornado to make them explode.


Does a tornado's air pressure make houses explode?

No. It was once believed that the low pressure inside a tornado would cause houses to explode, but this notion was disproven by the 1990s. It is the wind and debris in a tornado that destroys houses, not the low pressure.


Does a tornado's low air pressure make houses explode?

No. The pressure drop inside a tornado is not large enough for this to happen. Tornadoes tear houses apart with the power of their wind.


What type of air pressure do tornadoes have?

Tornadoes have low air pressure at their center, known as the "eye" of the tornado. This sudden drop in air pressure can contribute to the destructive forces of a tornado by causing buildings to implode and trees to snap.


What color is the sky when there is a tornado looming overhead?

The sky can appear dark or greenish when a tornado is looming overhead.


How does air pressure change in a tornado?

In a tornado, air pressure decreases at the center of the funnel due to the rapidly rotating winds. This decrease in pressure is what causes buildings to implode and debris to be lifted into the air. On the outer edges of the tornado, air pressure may increase due to the convergence of winds entering the tornado.


Why is it best to leave a window slightly open during a wind storm?

It actually isn't best do do this. It was once thought that during a tornado the rapid drop in pressure could cause buildings to explode. This notion has been disproven. It is wind and debris, not the pressured drop, that causes damage during a tornado. Even in a strong tornado the pressure drop is not enough to cause significant damage.