The formation of tornadoes is complicated.
First, a condition called wind shear, in which the speed or direction of the wind changes with altitude. If the shear is strong enough it can essentially tilt a thunderstorm, this separates the updraft and downdraft of the thunderstorm, preventing them from interfering with one another. This allows the storm to become stronger and last longer.
Additionally, if the wind shear is strong enough it can start the air rolling in what is called horizontal vorticity. This horizontal vorticity can then be turned vertical by a thunderstorm's updraft. When this happens, the thunderstorm may start rotating. The rotation is especially strong in an updraft called a mesocyclone. If the storm intensifies rapidly enough, a relatively warm downdraft called a rear-flank downdraft or RFD can wrap around the bottom part of the mesocyclone. This can then tighten and intensify its rotation and bring it down to the ground to produce a tornado.
Tornadoes most frequently happen in Tornado Alley, a strip of land that goes up the United States Midwest. However, tornadoes can happen almost anywhere. Flat land, like in Tornado Alley, does not interfere with the winds, so the tornado is not dissipated.
In some cases one tornado will dissipate completely, and then a completely new tornado will form afterward from the same thunderstorm. This is called a tornado family.
No, tornadoes typically form within severe thunderstorms that have strong updrafts and rotating air. The intense vertical motion within a thunderstorm is necessary for creating the conditions that can lead to tornado formation.
An F5 tornado does not form directly from an F1 tornado. Tornado intensity is determined by the Enhanced Fujita Scale based on wind speeds and damage. It is possible for a tornado to rapidly intensify due to various atmospheric conditions, leading to an increase in intensity from an F1 to an F5 tornado.
As of the mornging of June 27, 2013 the last confirmed tornado was on June 24, with an unconfirmed report on June 26.
a tornado will form
Thunderstorms need to start rotating. This rotation must then tighten and intensify to produce a tornado.
If two tornadoes were to merge, they would combine to form a larger and more destructive tornado. This new tornado could have stronger winds and cause more damage than either of the individual tornadoes on their own.
Yes. It is not uncommon for tornadoes to form in the outer bands of hurricanes.
A tornado is most likely to happen in the United States in a section called "Tornado Alley". This includes Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Florida, Missouri, and more. A tornado is likely to form between 3 pm. and 9 pm.
A wall cloud will form and the cloud might build up a funnel!
Tornadoes are typically associated with severe thunderstorms, which are characterized by towering clouds known as cumulonimbus clouds. It is unlikely for a tornado to form without the presence of clouds, as tornadoes require specific atmospheric conditions and interactions that usually occur within a thunderstorm system.
It is rare for tornado to actually merge, and when it does happen it usually involves a large tornado absorbing a smaller one. In the rare cases that tornadoes do merge they simply form one bigger tornado.
A tornado can hit a house, but cannot happen indoors.
To be classified as a tornado, a funnel cloud must make contact with the ground. Once the funnel cloud touches the ground, it becomes a tornado and is classified based on its size, intensity, and associated damage.
Partially. A tornado warning means that a tornado is likely to form or already has formed.
It is impossible to know "when the next tornado will be" anywhere. Tornadoes are one of the most unpredictable forms of weather on earth. Even when a tornado is beginning to form, it is difficult to determine whether it will touch down.