answersLogoWhite

0

Tornado Alley is located on the central plains of the United States and stretches from Texas north to Iowa. Tornado Alley is not just famous for the number of tornadoes it gets but for the frequency of strong tornadoes. This high frequency of strong tornadoes is due to an ideal climate setup. In the spring, warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico creates hot, humid conditions on the Plains. Storm systems bring in fronts that push cool and from Canada and dry air from the Rockies into this tropical air, triggering strong thunderstorms that are fueled by the heat and humidity. The thunderstorms are further aided by a layer of stable air called a cap that forms about a mile above the ground. This cap initially prevents storms from forming, allowing the air beneath it to become even more unstable. When thunderstorms do form they do so explosively and are stronger than they would otherwise be. As the storms form they encounter yet another conditions called wind shear, which occurs when the wind at different heights blows at different speeds and in different directions. The wind shear has two effects. First, it separates the updraft and downdraft portions of the storm. The separation prevents the rain-cooled air of the downdraft from choking off the updraft, which is how ordinary thunderstorms usually die. The storms are able to become even stronger and last longer than normal. Finally the wind shear can cause the storms to start rotating, becoming supercells, the most powerful thunderstorms on Earth. It is the strong rotation in such storms that produces most tornadoes.

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Geography

in the central united states is a region nicknamed tornado alley. tornado alley stretches from north central texas through central oklahoma area. why do so many tornadoes occur in tornado alley?

It was categorized as tornado alley because it is in the perfect location for tornados to occur. These conditions are: Having warm, humid air for the equator Cold, dry air from Canada and the Rocky Mountains


Was the 1999 Oklahoma tornado part of tornado alley?

Yes, the 1999 Oklahoma tornado was part of Tornado Alley, a region in the central U.S. with a higher frequency of tornadoes due to its unique geographic and climatic conditions. Oklahoma is situated within the heart of Tornado Alley and experiences a significant number of tornadoes each year.


What regions are known for having tornadoes?

Tornadoes can occur in most parts of the world, but are rare in most placed. The Great Plains of the United States are the best-known region for tornadoes, so much so that the area is called Tornado Alley. The Southeastern U.S. is not far behind. Other significant tornado-forming regions can be found in Bangladesh, Australia, South Africa, and parts of Europe.


Why does the gulf of Mexico help to aid in so many tornadoes over tornado alley?

The Gulf of Mexico provides warm, moist air that can fuel thunderstorms when it meets with cool, dry air from the north. This clash of air masses creates the ideal conditions for severe weather, including tornadoes, to develop in Tornado Alley. The warm, humid air from the Gulf acts as a source of energy for these storms to intensify and form tornadoes.


How did the areas geography contribute to the Tri-State tornado?

The geography impacted the Tri-State tornado in a manner that was extraordinarily conincidental. The tornado just happened to move parallel to a ridge that contained a coal seam. Numerous towns had been built to mine that coal. So, as it moved along that ridge, the tornado hit town after town along its 219-mile-long damage path. This, coupled with the tornado's unusual intensity (F5), rapid movement, and low visiblilty led to an extremely high death toll of 695.

Related Questions

Is part of the Midwest called tornado alley because it gets so many tornadoes?

Yes. Part of the Midwest is called Tornado Alley for this reason.


Where in America do tornadoes happen?

Tornadoes can occur in the central part of the United States, often referred to as "Tornado Alley." This region includes states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, where the atmospheric conditions are conducive to the formation of tornadoes. Tornadoes can also occur in other parts of the country, such as the Southeast and Midwest.


What general areas are more likely to see thunderstorms and lightning?

Thunderstorms are likely to occur when warm, moist air and cold, dry air collide. In the United States, this occurs in Tornado Alley, there is a link attached so you can see were Tornado Alley is.


Where do most tornadoes form in they US and how many occur in a year?

Generally, the highest number of tornadoes in the U.S. occur on the Great Plains, so much so that the region is sometimes called Tornado Alley. The region experiences as many as 800 tornadoes per year.


in the central united states is a region nicknamed tornado alley. tornado alley stretches from north central texas through central oklahoma area. why do so many tornadoes occur in tornado alley?

It was categorized as tornado alley because it is in the perfect location for tornados to occur. These conditions are: Having warm, humid air for the equator Cold, dry air from Canada and the Rocky Mountains


Is Kentucky part of tornado alley?

Yes, Kentucky is not traditionally considered part of Tornado Alley. Tornado Alley is a term used to describe an area in the central United States that is prone to frequent and severe tornado activity. While Kentucky does experience tornadoes, it is not as prone to them as states like Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, which are typically included in Tornado Alley.


How many acres is tornado alley?

It's down the middle of North America, so you guess the sum. However, there is on set agreement on what area Tornado Alley Covers, so different maps will show it in a wide variety of sizes.


Was the 1999 Oklahoma tornado part of tornado alley?

Yes, the 1999 Oklahoma tornado was part of Tornado Alley, a region in the central U.S. with a higher frequency of tornadoes due to its unique geographic and climatic conditions. Oklahoma is situated within the heart of Tornado Alley and experiences a significant number of tornadoes each year.


Is Dallas a tornado spot?

Dallas is in Tornado Alley and has be struck by tornadoes before, so yes.


Are tornadoes linked to global warming?

Tornadoes will always occur, with or without global warming. So far the only known trend in tornado activity that may be linked to global warming is a northward shift of the areas of highest tornado activity in Tornado Alley.


Why would someone move to tornado alley?

So they can study tornados


Why don't more houses in states with so many tornado's have basements?

Many of the states in tornado alley are also subject to flooding. Probably the best explanation is the costs of building an underground or reinforced shelter.