Tornadoes

There is no particular term for the bottom of a tornado. The base of a tornado may be shrouded in a debris cloud.

Technically, yes. EF0 is the weakest, EF1 the second weakest, and EF2 the third weakest. However, Some meterologists consider EF2 and stronger tornadoes as strong, as only about 10% of tornadoes are rated EF2 or higher.

There are many weather events that are believed to be cyclical. These weather events include, but are not limited to, hurricanes, snow, rain, and tornadoes.

It is possible. It is in a region that gets tornadoes fairly regularly, though not as often as northern Texas. However, there is no way of knowing when a tornado will hit the town until it actually happens.

There have been two major tornadoes in the El Reno area in recent years. The first, an EF5 on May 24, 2011, killed 9 people. The second one on May 31, 2013 was rated EF3 (though it may have reached EF5 strength). It killed 8 people including storm chaser Tim Samaras.

Supercell tornadoes are easier to detect. They arise from the larger circulation of the mesocyclone or rotating updraft of a supercell. This rotation can be detected by doppler radar, which can measure wind speed from a distance. In somce cases the rotation of the tornado itself may be detected. This is more difficult for landspouts, which tend to be smaller, and do not arise from a larger mesocyclone. Since radar cannot scan ground level winds, visual confirmation is often used to determine if a tornado has touched down. There are people, called spotters, who are trained to identify and report tornadoes and other weather hazards. A new advancement in doppler radar, called dual polarization has futher improved tornado detection. Before this development, radar could detect material in the air, but could not actually tell the difference between raidrops, hailstones, and other objects such as tornadic debris. If a dual polarized radar picks up on debris, that's a good sign that a tornado has touched down.

Yes. Tornadoes are not uncommon in Ohio, and contrary to what some believe, no location is "protected." Modern records, which date back to 1950, show that at least one tornado has hit Zanesville.

There probably will be eventually, as Houston is in a fairly tornado-prone area and has been hit before. However, there is no way of knowing when such an event will occur.

Pull over at the nearest safe spot. ... Stay with the group. If you are traveling in a group, do not venture off during a dust storm. You can quickly become hopelessly lost. Members of the group should stay together and hold hands or lock arms.

The "E" in EF2 tornado stands for Enhanced Fujita Scale, a classification system used to measure tornado intensity based on the damage they cause. The EF scale ranges from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest).

A full figure cannot be given. Official record only extend back to 1950, with relatively accurate figures only going back to about 1990. Montana's sparse population means that many tornadoes are likely missed. That said, since official records began in 1950, there have been 389 tornadoes recorded in Montana.

The powerful winds and flying debris in a tornado can damage or destroy property, ranging anywhere from minor roof damage and downed fences to the complete destruction of well-constructed buildings. People caught in such storms may be struck or crushed by debris and collapsing building, or picked up and hurled by the winds.

No, a culvert is not a safe place to hide from a tornado. Culverts can easily flood during storms, trap you inside, or collapse under the force of the tornado. It is best to seek a sturdier shelter like a basement, storm cellar, or designated tornado shelter.

There were numerous tornadoes in Oklahoma in 2013. The most well-known of these, the Moore EF5 tornado, lasted about 40 minbutes.

The Tri-State tornado was the deadliest tornado in U.S. history. On March 18, 1925 this mile wide F5 tornado traveled a record 219 miles across parts of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, killing 695 people.

Yes. The 1913 Omaha tornado struck on Easter Sunday, March 23.

First, it takes a specific kind of thunderstorm called a supercell to produce a violent tornado and it usually takes a very strong supercell.

Beyond that scientists do not know why one supercell will produce a tornado when another won't

There were 31 recorded tornadoes in Illinois in 2012.

The 2013 Oklahoma tornado hit multiple cities, including Moore, Newcastle, and Oklahoma City. The tornado caused widespread devastation and was classified as an EF5, the highest rating on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds exceeding 200 mph.

No, a manhole is not a safe place to hide during a tornado. Manholes are not designed to provide protection from powerful tornado-force winds and debris. It is safer to seek shelter in a sturdy building or underground storm shelter if possible.

There were numerous tornadoes in Oklahoma in 2013, three of which were killers. The Shawnee EF4 tornado of May 19 killed 2 people. The Moore EF5 tornado of May 20 killed 24 people. The El Reno EF3 tornado of May 31 killed 8 people.

Maine is not known for having many tornadoes. Tornadoes are more common in the Central United States due to warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico colliding with cool, dry air from Canada. Maine's location in the Northeastern United States usually doesn't experience the same conditions that lead to frequent tornadoes.

It depends. Hurricane ratings are based on measured wind speed, so a hurricane can become a category 5 but stay at sea, causing no damage. Tornado ratings are based on damage severity, so if a tornado is rated EF5, at least one well-built structure must have been completely obliterated. However, a hurricane that makes landfall at category 5 intensity can be expected to be much worse than most EF5 tornadoes.

All 50 states in the United States have experienced tornadoes. However, the frequency and severity of tornadoes vary by region, with states in the central part of the country known as Tornado Alley experiencing more tornadoes on average.

Marble Falls, TX is not typically considered part of Tornado Alley, which is a region in the central United States known for frequent tornado activity. While tornadoes can occur in Marble Falls and the broader Texas Hill Country region, it is not as prone to tornadoes as areas further north and to the east in Tornado Alley.