answersLogoWhite

0

Compared with other types of storm tornadoes are actually rather small. In meteorological terms something less than 2 kilometers or 1.2 miles wide (which most tornadoes are) is considered micro scale. But in general, it would be difficult to fit such intense winds as are found in a tornado into something less than a few dozen yards wide, especially since they form from a larger circulation called a mesocyclone. As it turns out, very small tornadoes are usually (though not always) short lived and weak.

Very large tornadoes have often have gone through a process called vortex breakdown which occurs when a downdraft travels down the center of the tornado, forcing the vortex as a whole to expand. Such tornadoes often have smaller subvorticies (almost like smaller tornadoes) hidden within the main funnel.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Earth Science

Can tornadoes combine to be one big tornado?

Tornadoes can merge together, yes, and vortex physics predict that the combined tornado will be larger than either of the merging tornadoes. However, most tornado mergers involve a large tornado absorbing a small one, so the larger tornado is not affected very much.


How many tornadoes happen in the UK?

The majority of UK tornadoes are not recorded. So most statistics on the number of recorded tornadoes in the UK are usually around 70. Most UK tornadoes happen in the countryside (so don't get noticed) and are very small (usually). It is common belief that more tornadoes happen in the UK than in the US (tornado ally included) - Although US tornadoes are way bigger and stronger than those in the UK and so more are likely to be noticed and therefore recorded. Tornadoes in the UK usually happen in the summer when the weather conditions are right.


Do tornadoes strike big cities?

Yes, tornadoes can strike big cities. While less common than in rural areas, tornadoes have been known to hit major cities like Oklahoma City and Dallas. Urban areas may experience less frequent tornadoes due to the presence of buildings and infrastructure, but they are not immune to tornado activity.


Why don't tornadoes hit big cities?

Tornadoes actually do hit large cities on occasion. Nashville, Salt lake City, Fort Worth, and Atlanta have all been hit. The reason these things don't happen very often is because cities are geographically small targets, and the chances of a tornado striking such a small target in any given year are low.


Why are there so many tornadoes in Maine?

Maine is not known for having many tornadoes. Tornadoes are more common in the Central United States due to warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico colliding with cool, dry air from Canada. Maine's location in the Northeastern United States usually doesn't experience the same conditions that lead to frequent tornadoes.

Related Questions

Why are tornadoes big?

If they were little they wouldn't be tornadoes


Are big tornadoes strong tornadoes?

Big tornadoes are usually strong, but not always. A large, poorly organized tornado is not likely to be very strong. Some tornadoes even weaken as they expand.


How big are most tornadoes?

Most tornadoes are 50 to 100 yards wide.


Can 2 F5 tornadoes at the same time same place possibly make a big huge large tornado?

It is unlikely that two tornadoes could maintain such high intensity so close to each other.


How can you weather tornadoes?

Tornadoes are not landforms, and so cannot be affected by weathering.


Do mini tornadoes do more damage then big ones?

Generally, small tornadoes do less damage than large ones, but some small tornadoes have been very destructive.


Can tornadoes become one big tornado?

Yes. Some twisters have touched down and joined together to create a big tornado.edit: when tornadoes form like that its called a multivotex tornado


Are tornadoes very small?

Tornadoes can vary in size, with most being between 100 to 600 meters wide. However, there have been larger ones that exceed 2 km in diameter and smaller ones known as rope tornadoes that are thin and narrow.


Why has there been so many tornadoes?

I believe coming out of a La Nina as we are is conducive to an enhanced threat of tornadoes. Aside from that, it's just one of those things where all the conditions have come together perfectly for a couple big outbreaks.


What continent does not have tornadoes?

Antarctica is the continent that does not have tornadoes. Tornadoes typically form over land, so the cold and uninhabited nature of Antarctica makes it unlikely for tornadoes to occur there.


What are big tornadoes?

A large tornado can easily by over a quarter of a mile wide. Some tornadoes are over a mile in diameter. A handful of tornadoes have been over 2 miles wide.


How do tornadoes get different sizes?

i think it depends on the weather and how big the storm is!