Tornadoes

The scale that measures the severity of tornadoes is called the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale). It ranges from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest), and it categorizes tornadoes based on the damage they cause and the estimated wind speeds.

It is usually best to stay at least a quarter mile away. Sometimes a mile or more if it is large and very powerful. Generally, the further, the better.

They do, but they are rare and usually not very strong. The reason for this is that tornadoes usually form under conditions where warm, moist air collides with cool, dry air with accompanied by strong wind shear. Overall, British Columbia has a cool, moist climate which is not conducive to tornado formation.

A hurricane is typically larger in size than a tornado. Hurricanes can span hundreds of miles in diameter and cover large areas, while tornadoes are typically much smaller, with a diameter usually less than a mile wide. Cyclone is a generic term that can refer to either hurricanes or typhoons, depending on the region.

The April tornado record in the US for a whole year is 267 tornadoes, which was set in April 2011. This month had an extremely active tornado season, particularly across the Southeastern United States.

Since official records began in 1950 the U.S. has recorded approximately 61,000 tornadoes. Records prior to that are more difficult to track down. Similarly, records for other countries are incomplete.

look at the news or check out the NWS website to see if there are any tornado watches or warnings. or if the alarms are going off and you are hiding and the rain stopes really quick that means its right there happen to me 3 times

Tornadoes are typically spawned by severe thunderstorms, usually in the presence of a rotating updraft called a mesocyclone. The convergence of warm, moist air at the surface with cool, dry air aloft can create the necessary conditions for tornado formation. Other factors such as wind shear and atmospheric instability also play a role in tornado development.

South Carolina averages 27 tornadoes per year.

Yes, a severe thunderstorm can create the conditions necessary for a tornado to form. Thunderstorms with strong updrafts and rotation can produce tornadoes when other factors align, such as atmospheric instability and wind shear.

The duration of a tornado can vary greatly, from a few seconds to several hours. On average, a tornado lasts for about 10 minutes. Tornado strength, size, and environmental conditions all play a role in determining how long a tornado will last.

Texas experiences tornadoes primarily during tornado season, which typically runs from March to June. However, tornadoes can occur at any time of the year in Texas due to its geography and weather patterns. The peak months for tornado activity in the state are April and May.

Tornadoes can potentially form anywhere around the world, but they are most commonly observed in the central United States. However, there are some regions with very low occurrences of tornadoes, such as Antarctica and parts of the Arctic.

Scientists use a variety of tools and techniques to study tornadoes, including Doppler radar, weather balloons, satellite imagery, and storm chasers equipped with specialized instruments. These tools help scientists gather data on tornado formation, behavior, and intensity in order to better understand and predict their occurrence.

Most tornadoes form from supercell thunderstorms, which are characterized by a type of cloud called a wall cloud. Wall clouds are typically associated with rotating updrafts that can lead to the development of tornadoes.

Yes, Flagstaff was hit by an F0 tornado On September 9, 2003. Tornadoes as strong as EF2 have occurred in the general area.

Tornadoes form in severe thunderstorms known as supercells. These supercells have rotating updrafts that can lead to the creation of a tornado under the right conditions. The presence of warm, moist air rising rapidly and cold, dry air descending creates the necessary instability for tornado formation within a supercell.

No. While levels on the Fujita scale where plotted all the way up to F12 this was purely for mathematical purposes. None of the categories above F5 were intended for use, nor were they ever used.

A twirling funnel cloud is referred to as a tornado. Tornadoes are characterized by a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground. They can cause significant damage due to their high winds and should be taken seriously.

Tornadoes are called "killers" because they have the potential to cause widespread destruction and fatalities due to their strong winds and flying debris. They can demolish buildings, uproot trees, and cause serious injuries to anyone in their path.

The formation of tornadoes is complicated.

First, a condition called wind shear, in which the speed or direction of the wind changes with altitude. If the shear is strong enough it can essentially tilt a thunderstorm, this separates the updraft and downdraft of the thunderstorm, preventing them from interfering with one another. This allows the storm to become stronger and last longer.

Additionally, if the wind shear is strong enough it can start the air rolling in what is called horizontal vorticity. This horizontal vorticity can then be turned vertical by a thunderstorm's updraft. When this happens, the thunderstorm may start rotating. The rotation is especially strong in an updraft called a mesocyclone. If the storm intensifies rapidly enough, a relatively warm downdraft called a rear-flank downdraft or RFD can wrap around the bottom part of the mesocyclone. This can then tighten and intensify its rotation and bring it down to the ground to produce a tornado.

As to their affects, the wind and flying debris in a tornado can damage or destroy vegetation and man-made structures, sometimes to the point of complete obliteration. People and animals caught in a tornado may be injured or killed.

Large tornadoes have been known to lift and carry objects weighing up to several tons and can cause significant damage to structures. The lifting power of a tornado is not well understood and can vary depending on the specific conditions and strength of the tornado.

The air does get sucked upward in a tornado, but a tornado does not create a complete vacuum, if that's what you mean.

Yes, tornadoes can form in Africa, although they are less common compared to regions like the central United States. Tornadoes in Africa tend to be weaker and less frequent, but they can still cause significant damage in affected areas. The most tornado-prone regions in Africa include parts of South Africa and the countries along the east coast, such as Madagascar and Mozambique.