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It usually requires a special kind of thunderstorm called a supercell. These storms have a powerful, rotating updraft called a mesocyclone. It is believed that if a mesocyclone intensifies rapidly it creates a downdraft, called a read-flank downdraft or RFD, near the back of the storm. This downdraft wraps around the bottom portion of the mesocyclone, tightening ans intensifying the rotation to produce a tornado.

RFD winds can be very strong, sometimes exceeding 100 mph (160 km/h).

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How strong can the winds in a tornado funnel reach?

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


Why does a tornado cause damage?

A tornado has extremely powerful winds, far stronger than those of a normal storm. The winds can tear away at buildings or simply push them over. If a tornado is strong enough the winds pick up objects and turn them into high speed projectiles that can cause even more damage.


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.


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.


Do strong winds occur before a tornado?

yes


What is a type of funnel cloud that cause damage on land?

A tornado is a type of funnel cloud that forms over land and can cause significant damage, including destruction of buildings and trees due to its strong winds. tornado is a type of funnel cloud that forms over land and can cause significant damage, including destruction of buildings and trees due to its strong winds.


How strong can thunderstorms winds get without a tornado?

Thunderstorm winds can reach speeds of 60-100 mph, known as straight-line winds or downdrafts, without the presence of a tornado. These winds can cause significant damage and are often associated with severe thunderstorms.


What happens on the ground during a tornado?

Air around the tornado spirals in toward it and then spirals moves upward in the tornado itself. The winds are very strong and can cause major damage to vegetation and man-made structures. Parts of destroyed structures can get carried by the winds as dangerous debris.


Is a tornado heavy?

Not really. The winds of a tornado carry an enormous amount of force, but the tornado itself is composed almost entirely of air.


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.


Tornado cause damage because they cause homes and buildings to cave on the winds true or false?

False. Tornadoes cause damage primarily through their high winds and flying debris. The rotation of the tornado can produce strong winds that can easily rip roofs off buildings or collapse walls, but they do not directly cause homes and buildings to cave in.


In what 2 ways can a tornado cause damage?

Tornadoes cause damage through powerful winds which, on rare occasions, are strong enough to tear buildings from their foundations. Tornadoes also cause damage through the high-speed debris carried by the winds.