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Change in air pressure causes the strong winds. In fact, most winds that we experience on Earth are caused by change in air pressure. Usually significant changes in air pressure occur over a large area and therefore it's only a slow change in pressure over distance making light winds. In a tornado, you get a significant drop in air pressure over just a few feet of land. This causes the winds to get excessivly high.

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What causes the strong winds associated with tornadoes and thunderstorms?

The strong winds in a tornado are causes by the steep pressure gradient surrounding it, with intense low pressure at the tornado's center. Strong winds in thunderstorms are usually caused by rain cooled air falling rapidly to ground level in an even called a downburst.


In what ways does a tornado cause damage to property?

A tornado causes damage to property through strong winds that can uproot trees, rip off roofs, and collapse buildings. The debris carried by the tornado can also act as projectiles, further damaging structures in its path.


What is the difference between a funnel cloud and tornado?

A funnel cloud is a rotating column of air that does not reach the ground, while a tornado is a funnel cloud that extends to the ground and causes damage. Both are formed from the same weather conditions and can be associated with severe thunderstorms.


How does the formation of a tornado occur?

A tornado forms when warm, moist air meets cool, dry air, creating instability in the atmosphere. This causes the air to rotate and form a spinning column of air. If the conditions are right, the spinning column can grow into a tornado, with strong winds and a funnel-shaped cloud.


If you would stand in the middle of a tornado would you survive?

It is not possible to stand in the middle of a tornado. The winds would be too strong to even get there. People have been know to be picked up by a tornado and thrown several miles away without being killed.

Related Questions

What causes most damage from a tornado?

The greatest amount of damage in a tornado is caused by extremely strong winds. Additional damage is from flying debris.


What causes tornado damage?

Tornado damaged is caused by a tornado's powerful winds and objects carried y those winds.


What causes the strong winds associated with tornadoes and thunderstorms?

The strong winds in a tornado are causes by the steep pressure gradient surrounding it, with intense low pressure at the tornado's center. Strong winds in thunderstorms are usually caused by rain cooled air falling rapidly to ground level in an even called a downburst.


How strong can the winds in a tornado funnel reach?

On rare occasions winds in a tornado can get to a little over 300mph.


Do strong winds occur before a tornado?

yes


Is the wind inside a tornado calm?

It is believed that there is a calm "eye" at the center of a tornado. But mostly the winds in a tornado are very strong.


Is there still wind before a tornado hits?

Yes, strong winds often accompany tornadoes, known as the outflow winds or downdrafts. These winds can be felt before the tornado actually touches down, indicating that a tornado may be approaching.


In what ways does a tornado cause damage to property?

A tornado causes damage to property through strong winds that can uproot trees, rip off roofs, and collapse buildings. The debris carried by the tornado can also act as projectiles, further damaging structures in its path.


What is the most important characteristic or feature of a tornado?

Very strong rotating winds.


Can 15-20mph prvent a tornado?

If you mean can a 15-20 mph wind then no. In fact there is strong evidence to support that strong winds from a specific portion of a thunderstorm are what help form a tornado. These winds can exceed 100 mph.


Are cyclones faster than tornadoes?

It depends on the cyclone, and the tornado. In some cases cyclone winds and tornado winds fall into the same range. However, tornado winds are generally stronger. By definition, a tornado must produce winds strong enough to cause damage; the same is not true of a cyclone. The very strongest tornadoes produce winds in excess of 300 mph, the fastest winds on earth.


What causes ocean motion?

Strong winds