Tornadoes typically form from severe thunderstorms and are characterized by a rotating column of air that extends from a cloud to the ground. They can have wind speeds ranging from 110 to 300 mph, with the strongest tornadoes causing significant damage to structures and vegetation in their path. Tornadoes can change direction, move erratically, and vary in size and intensity.
Tornadoes can vary in width, but the narrowest tornadoes can be as thin as a few meters at the ground. These thin tornadoes are often referred to as rope tornadoes because of their slender and elongated shape.
No, the majority of tornadoes in the US are not classified as F5. F5 tornadoes are extremely rare and account for only a small percentage of all tornadoes. Most tornadoes in the US are classified as weaker tornadoes, such as F0 to F2.
Humidity itself does not cause tornadoes. Tornadoes form from the interaction of different air masses with varying temperature, humidity, and wind conditions. High humidity levels can contribute to the instability needed for severe thunderstorms that can produce tornadoes under the right atmospheric conditions.
Thin tornadoes are typically weak and do not conjure much damage, while fat tornadoes are usually much more dangerous, and can grow to over mile in width. However, this is only the general trend. Some very large tornadoes have been relatively weak while a few very violent tornadoes have been relatively small.
A tornado that touches the ground is simply a tornado. Before it touches down it is called a funnel cloud.
No, they are quite a bit different.
Tornadoes can occur in valley regions, but they are more common in flat areas such as the Great Plains. When strong thunderstorms develop in valleys, they can produce tornadoes due to the right atmospheric conditions. Topography can influence how tornadoes behave in valley regions, with terrain features potentially affecting their paths and intensity.
The tornadoes associated with squall lines are generally short-lived and weak, especially the spin-ups along the leading edge. Some squall lines can have embedded mesocyclones, however, which can produce stronger tornadoes. In some cases a mesocyclone can develop at the north end of a bow echo and behave in a very similar manner to that of a supercell. These too have the potential to produce significant tornadoes.
Tornadoes in the U.S. are called tornadoes.
Tornadoes are sometimes divided into "weak" tornadoes "strong" and "violent" tornadoes. Weak tornadoes are those rated EF0 and EF1. Most tornadoes are weak. Strong tornadoes are those rated EF2 and EF3. Violent tornadoes are those rated EF4 and EF5. They are the rarest of tornadoes, only about 1% of tornadoes are this strong.
behave.
It depends on what you mean by extreme. Tornadoes of EF4 and EF5 tornadoes, however are often referred to as violent tornadoes. These account for about 1% of all tornadoes.
Tornadoes don't get named, Hurricanes do, but Tornadoes don't.
No. Tornadoes are dangerous.
Florida frequently has tornadoes, though several states have more tornadoes annually.
its mass helps it behave
Yes, some strong tornadoes create brief satellite tornadoes that circle the main funnel.