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A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground.

So in order to be categorized as a tornado, a storm must rotate, connect to both the cloud base and the ground, and have ground level winds strong enough to cause damage.

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How do tornadoes stop if they form on land?

How tornadoes stop is not fully understood, though it has more do do with the mechanics of the storm that produces the tornado rather than what surface with form on. The best explanation so far is that cold air from the rainy portion of either the tornado's parent storm or a nearby storm undercuts the updraft that sustains the tornado. This chokes of the supply of warm air that feeds the storm tot he point that it can no longer support a tornado.


If the wind is traveling 12 miles per hour is a tornado possible?

Potentially, as the ground level wind speed does not say anything about the potential for a tornado to form. However, you still need to have the right condition brewing up in the storm clouds for one to form.


What type of pressure is in the center of a tornado?

The center of a tornado is an area of intense low pressure.


Why does a tornado lose power?

It is not fully understood how tornadoes dissipate. Most often, it is believed that cold or dry air enters the updraft of the tornado's parent storm, cutting off the supply of energy that powers both the storm and the tornado. Sometimes the storm loses energy as the heat of the day dissipates with the setting sun, or as the system supporting it retreats. The storm may also lose the rotation it needs to produce a tornado, such as by merging with a squall line.


What causes the movement of a tornado?

Tornadoes are caused by the rotation of supercell thunderstorms within a specific atmospheric environment. The combination of wind shear, instability, moisture, and a triggering mechanism such as a cold front or dryline sets the conditions for tornado formation. The rotation within the storm can intensify into a tornado when it reaches the ground.

Related Questions

What is a tornado warned storm?

A tornado warned storm is a thunderstorm for which a tornado warning has been issued, meaning that the storm is producing rotation that can spawn a tornado.


Is a tornado a type of storm?

A tornado comes from a type of storm called a rotating thunderstorm, but is not a storm, itself.


Can a storm mix with a tornado?

A tornado does not "mix" with other storms. A tornado is part of a larger parent storm, though.


Can a storm turn in to a tornado?

A storm can't turn into a tornado, it a thunderstorm can produce one.


What is a tornado threat or tornado warned Storm?

A tornado warned storm is a thunderstorm for which a tornado warning has been issued, indicating that it is capable of producing a tornado. A tornado threat is a general term that refers to the danger tornadoes may pose to an area during a particular storm.


What does spawn a tornado mean?

When a storm spawns a tornado it produce a tornado.


What is a 7 letter word for a violent storm?

Tornado.


What chases the tornado?

storm chasers chase the tornado


What could help stop a tornado?

There is nothing you can do to storm a tornado.


What happens in middle of storm thief?

a giant tornado kills everyone except the storm thief who steals the tornado


Category of storm is The Waco Tornado?

The Waco tornado of 1953 was an F5.


Is it possible for a tornado to go south?

Absolutely. A tornado usually follows the path of the storm in which it results. So, if a storm is going south, the tornado has a high priority of going south. It is also possible for a tornado to go in a different direction than the storm in which it forms. For example, if a storm is headed west, a tornado could develop and go north. Hope this is helpful.