A tornado forms from a rotating updraft and area of low pressure inside a thunderstorm. This circulation is called a mesocyclone. A tornado forms when this circulation tightens and intensifies. The low pressure area draws air inward in a spiral fashion. The air speeds up as it is drawn int, attaining great speeds as it reaches the tornado itself. At this point the air is spinning so fast that in many cases it cannot reach the center. At this point the air is drawn upwards.
The fact that the a tornado spins means that the winds move in all directions at different points within the tornado, as they make a full 360 degree rotation. In the northern hemisphere tornadoes spin counterclockwise, so winds on the north side of a tornado blow east to west, those on the west side blow north to south, those on the south side blow west to east, and those on the east side blow south to north. This is reversed in the southern hemisphere where tornadoes spin clockwise.
Tornado ratings are based on damage, so the wind speeds for any given rating are estimates. The original estimated wind speed range for an F5 tornado was 261-318 mph. This estimate is now believed to have been too high. Currently, a tornado with estimate winds in excess of 200 mph is rated EF5, though the damage inflicted is the same as that from an F5.
The winds in a tornado spin, so the wind itself can come from any direction. Except for rare cases, tornadoes in the northern hemisphere rotate counterclockwise while those in the southern hemisphere spin clockwise.
The speed of the winds in a tornado is called the tornado's wind speed. It is usually measured using the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, which categorizes tornadoes based on the estimated wind speed. The wind speed can vary greatly depending on the tornado's intensity, with stronger tornadoes having faster wind speeds.
It is impossible to know exactly how fast the winds were as we did not have the tools to measure a tornado's winds back then. But since the tornado was rated F5 (equivalent to EF5 on the new scale) winds were probably well over 200 mph.
The fact that the a tornado spins means that the winds move in all directions at different points within the tornado, as they make a full 360 degree rotation. In the northern hemisphere tornadoes spin counterclockwise, so winds on the north side of a tornado blow east to west, those on the west side blow north to south, those on the south side blow west to east, and those on the east side blow south to north. This is reversed in the southern hemisphere where tornadoes spin clockwise.
Pressure decreases sharply, reaching its lowest at the center of the tornado. This pulls air toward the center of the tornado and then drawn into the tornado's updraft. The tornado spins as it originates from a larger circulation called a mesocyclone.
Winds in a tornado spiral inward and upward.
The main destructive force is the wind. The winds of a tornado can tear away parts of the house, break winds, and possibly push in walls. In some cases the winds may be strong enough to completely blow the house away. A tornado may also carry debris, which can cause damage if it hits a building.
Tornado ratings are based on damage, so the wind speeds for any given rating are estimates. The original estimated wind speed range for an F5 tornado was 261-318 mph. This estimate is now believed to have been too high. Currently, a tornado with estimate winds in excess of 200 mph is rated EF5, though the damage inflicted is the same as that from an F5.
Tornado damaged is caused by a tornado's powerful winds and objects carried y those winds.
On rare occasions winds in a tornado can get to a little over 300mph.
A tornado with estimated winds of 120 mph would be rated EF2.
A tornado with estimated winds of 100 mph would be rated EF1.
winds blow sideways because of the rotation of the earth.
Global winds blow North to South
The winds in a tornado spin, so the wind itself can come from any direction. Except for rare cases, tornadoes in the northern hemisphere rotate counterclockwise while those in the southern hemisphere spin clockwise.