Tornadoes

A black sky can be an indication of an incoming storm, which could potentially bring snow or tornadoes depending on the weather conditions in the area. It is important to pay attention to weather alerts and take necessary precautions.

Tornadoes can impact weather by creating severe thunderstorms and causing rapid changes in atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity. They can also cause significant damage to the surrounding area, resulting in disruptions to local weather patterns. Additionally, tornadoes can introduce large amounts of debris into the air, affecting visibility and air quality.

Tornadoes occur in Virginia with an average of 19 reported annually. The peak season for tornadoes in Virginia is from April to September, with May being the most active month. However, tornadoes can form in the state throughout the year.

Actual tornadoes are fairly rare in deserts as they require thunderstorms to form. When they do hit desert areas it is by the same means that they hit others: wind shear starts storms rotating and that rotating can produce a tornado.

But the "tornadoes" commonly seen in deserts are not actually tornadoes but dust devils. These smaller, weaker whirlwinds are usually harmless.

Dust devils form when the sun heats the ground and the air above it becomes hot and is trapped by cooler air above. Eventually, this hot air escapes upwards and starts to spin, forming a dust devil.

In the United States, tornadoes are most likely to form during the spring and early summer months, typically from March to June. This is when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico meets cooler, drier air from the north, creating the ideal conditions for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to develop.

It varies. The average tornado is 50 yards wind, but some are under 10 yards wide.

Very large tornadoes can be up to a mile wide or more at the ground. The widest tornado ever recorded was 2.6 miles wide.

Tornadoes can occur at any time of day, but they may seem more common during late afternoon and early evening due to favorable atmospheric conditions. For example, daytime heating can lead to instability in the atmosphere, while the evening hours can see the convergence of different air masses, providing the necessary ingredients for tornado formation.

A tornado is a column of violently rotating air in the shape of a funnel cloud. They typically form during severe thunderstorms and can cause significant damage due to their strong winds.

Yes, tornadoes are rare but have been documented in Greece. They typically occur in the southern and eastern regions of the country during severe weather events.

A rotating updraft, also known as a mesocyclone, is a rotating column of air within a thunderstorm. It is often associated with severe weather phenomena such as tornadoes and supercell thunderstorms. Rotating updrafts play a crucial role in the development and intensification of severe weather events.

A tornado is called a funnel because of its shape - it often appears as a rotating column of air that narrows towards the base, resembling a funnel or a cone. This funnel shape is created as the tornado draws in debris and moisture from the ground, giving it its characteristic appearance.

Yes, it is possible for two tornadoes to merge or for a smaller tornado to be absorbed by a larger one. This phenomenon is known as tornado convergence and can occur when multiple thunderstorms produce multiple tornadoes that may interact with each other.

Florida is prone to hurricanes due to its location in the Atlantic hurricane basin. While earthquakes are rare in Florida, tornadoes can occur, especially during severe weather events such as hurricanes or intense thunderstorms.

An EF2 tornado is considered the beginning of a strong or significant tornado. An EF2 tornado has estimated winds of 111-135 mph. These winds can tear roofs from well built houses, snap large trees, toss cars, and completely obliterate mobile homes. While tornadoes of this strength do not usually kill they are still very dangerous.

They don't.

In regard to tornadoes, the downtown areas of major cities are relatively small targets, making them easy to miss. However, major cities have been hit by significant tornadoes including Birmingham, Alabama; Forth Worth, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; St Louis, Missouri; Nashville, Tennessee; and Raleigh, North Carolina among others. Weak tornadoes have even hit New York City.

For hurricanes the size of a city isn't as much of an issue as hurricanes are enormous compared with tornadoes and affect very large areas. However, hurricanes are limited in where they can occur to relatively warm ocean water. Cities that are inland generally cannot be reached by hurricanes. Cold water and winds off the U.S. Pacific coast and westward-blowing winds in the hurricane forming regions to the south make it nearly impossible for hurricanes to strike the U.S. west coast. Cold water off the northeast coast also suppresses hurricanes, but a few have slipped through to New England. Most hurricanes in the U.S. hit the Gulf coast or the southern Atlantic coast. Major U.S. cities that have been hit hard be hurricanes include Galveston, Texas; Mobile, Alabama; Miami, Florida; and Providence, Rhode Island.

It was definitely worse than the April 22-25, 2010 tornado outbreak. That outbreak resulted in 12 deaths, of which 10 were from tornadoes (one tornado actually).

Preliminary reports indicate that the March 2, 2012 tornado outbreak killed at least 40 people. Hundreds are said to be injured. Damage is estimated at $1.5 billion. This outbreak is probably one of the worst outbreaks of recent history. The severity is comparable to the Super Tuesday outbreak of February 2008.

Yes, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) could downgrade the Moderate Risk (MDT) of severe thunderstorms to a Slight Risk if new data or analysis suggests a reduced threat of severe weather. This decision is based on ongoing monitoring of atmospheric conditions and the latest forecast models.

The 60 percent tornado risk from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) is used to highlight areas with a higher likelihood of tornadoes within a specific severe weather outlook. It is based on meteorological data and modeling, and it serves as a tool for emergency preparedness and response by indicating where the greatest tornado risk exists.

A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. While not as severe as a Tornado Warning, it still poses a significant risk to life and property. It is important to stay vigilant and be prepared to take shelter if necessary.

Pay attention to local weather broadcasts. You may also want to visit the National Weather Service website (see the link below) to see what weather alerts are in your area. You need not worry too much, as a slight risk from the storm prediction center does not mean there is an immediate threat.

If severe weather does move into your area, see if you have a battery operated weather radio as severe storms can cause power outages.

A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. It means you should stay informed and be prepared to take action if a tornado warning is issued for your area. It is a warning for potential tornado development, not a guarantee that a tornado will occur.

Generally not, unless the house is very poorly built. Typical F1 damage to a house includes holes torn in the roof or loss of the roof surface, peeled siding, broken windows, and possibly the collapse of a garage door.

See the links below for a few examples.

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/f1.htm

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/Image/fsd/events/tor2010jun25/Damage1.jpg

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/oun/wxevents/20030508/damagephotos/nws/survey05.jpg