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Tornadoes

A tornado or twister is a violent, rotating column of air which typically has a speed ranging from 177 km/h to over 480 km/h. This devastating windstorm is usually characterized by its funnel-shaped cloud that extends toward the ground.

8,901 Questions

What does tornado warnig mean?

A tornado warning means that a tornado has been spotted or indicated by weather radar in your area. This is a time to take shelter immediately and follow safety precautions to protect yourself from the approaching tornado.

Possible causes for American tornadoes?

Current, scientists believe most tornadoes form by the following, rather complicated process:

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.

Is Dayton Ohio a part of tornado alley?

Dayton, Ohio is located in the region known as Tornado Alley, but it is considered to be on the eastern edge of Tornado Alley. While tornadoes can and do occur in this area, they are less frequent and intense compared to the central United States.

Can an EF1 tornado uproot trees?

Yes, an EF1 tornado can uproot trees. EF1 tornadoes are capable of producing winds between 86 to 110 mph, which can be strong enough to uproot trees, especially if the trees are not healthy or have shallow root systems.

What you need to do after the tornado has happened?

After a tornado has happened, prioritize safety by checking for injuries and helping others if needed. Stay tuned to local news for updates and follow emergency instructions. Assess damage to property and contact insurance providers. Follow any evacuation orders and seek shelter if necessary.

How meteorologists measure various weather patterns like tornadoes and hurricanes?

Hurricanes are measured through a combination of satellite imagery, manned flights into the storms, Doppler radar, and ground ad seas surface based observations.

Tornadoes are more difficult because they are smaller, shorter lived, and overall less predictable. Measurements have been made using Doppler radar and ground and ground based probes. Even then, most tornadoes do not have any measurements taken, so strength is estimated based on the damage caused.

What do you call the person who studies tornadoes?

you would call it, 1. Geophysicist - They measure, examine, and explore the physical properties of earth, from below the ground to the atmosphere, from the depths of the ocean to the tops of mountains

or, 2. Atmospheric Scientist - They study the atmosphere's physical characteristics, motions, and processes, and the way in which these factors affect the rest of our environment.

and last 3. Meteorologist - They explain, understand, observe or forecast the earth's atmospheric phenomena and/or how the atmosphere affects the earth and life on the planet.

How are tornadoes affected by heat energy?

Tornadoes are produced by thunderstorms. Warm moist air has vast amounts of latent heat stored in water vapor. As this warm air rises, often due to an encounter with a front, it cools but so does the air around it. When this air reaches a certain temperature called the dew point the moisture condenses, releasing its heat energy and slowing the rate of cooling. This mass of air becomes warmer than its surroundings and thus less dense and more buoyant, creating a thunderstorm. If enough of this energy is present and if a few other conditions are right, this thunderstorm may have the potential to produce tornadoes.

Does low pressure cause buildings to expload when a tornado passes overhead?

No, that is a complete myth. It is the wind and debris in a tornado that destroys buildings.

First the pressure drop is not enough to cause significant damage to a building. The largest reliably recorded pressure drop in a tornado was 100 millibars, but a pressure difference of about 350 millibars is needed to destroy most buildings.

Second, buildings are not airtight so pressure will equalize quickly.

Third, even if the two statements above were not true the winds and debris in moderate to strong tornado would create enough holes to equalize pressure, if not destroy the building before the center of the tornado (where the lowest pressure is) reaches it. A tornado with a 100 millibar pressure drop would produce winds strong enough to completely level most structures.

Where do people go when a tornado destroys their house?

After a tornado destroys their house, people may seek temporary shelter in emergency shelters set up by local authorities or relief organizations. They may also stay with friends or family members if possible. Insurance coverage may also help with finding temporary accommodation or rebuilding their home.

What is a tarasoff warning?

A Tarasoff warning is where a mental health professional is required to warn of a credible danger to a reasonably identifiable victim. It was derived from the 1976 case Tarasoff v. Regents UC Berkeley.

Is the center of a tornado a downdraft?

No, the center of a tornado is known as the "eye" and it is actually an area of low pressure where air is rising, not descending. The strongest winds in a tornado occur around the edge of the eye in a region known as the "eyewall."

What are the 3 peak months for tornadoes in Texas?

The peak months for tornadoes in Texas are typically April, May, and June, with May being the busiest month. This is when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico interacts with cooler, drier air from the north, creating the conditions for severe weather outbreaks.

What are the damages a f6 tornado can cause?

There is no such thing as an F6 as damage maxes out at F5. F5 damage consists of the complete destruction of nearly all structures. Well-constructed houses are wiped clean off their foundations.

What frontal boundaries or air masses are present during a tornado?

Tornadoes can form near a variety of boundaries. They can form along a cold front, dry line or, less often, a warm front. Two prime locations for tornado formation are Larko's triangle and the triple point. Larko's triangle is an area near the center of a mid-latitude low between the cold front and the warm front. The triple point marks where a cold front and dry line intersect.

In any case, the fronts are not the direct causes of the tornado and are not absolutely necessary for one to form. Some tornadoes can form away from fronts, such as in the outer bands of hurricanes. In almost all cases, however, a warm, moist (maritime tropical) air mass is present.

Can four tornadoes join together and make a big one?

Most likely not, as the chances of having two tornadoes close enough to merge is unlikely. However, some tornadoes, especially large, violent ones, somtimes have a series of smaller vortices inside the main vortex of the tornado. Under the right conditions these vortices can become visible, resulting in a tornado with multiple funnels. Tornadoes with four or more funnels have been observed. In some instances, these vortices will be visible for a time and then suddenly become hidden within the main funnel or debris cloud, making it look like they have merged.

Has there ever been a tornado in Montana?

Yes, tornadoes have been recorded in Montana. While they are less common compared to the central plains of the United States, tornadoes do occur in Montana, especially during spring and summer months. The state typically experiences around 4-6 tornadoes per year.

How strong was xenia tornado?

The Xenia Tornado that struck Ohio in 1974 was classified as an F5 tornado, the most powerful on the Fujita scale. It caused widespread devastation, destroying thousands of homes and killing 33 people. Wind speeds were estimated to be between 261 and 318 miles per hour.

How many tornadoes have gone through Alabama in the past 10 years?

See the link below for Alabama statistics from the National Weather Service.

What other country besides the US gets tornadoes?

Canada experiences tornadoes as well, primarily in the provinces of Ontario and the prairie provinces. The frequency and intensity of tornadoes in Canada are lower than in the United States, but they still pose a threat to communities in the region.

Are there tornadoes in the UK?

Yes, tornadoes do occur in the UK, but they are relatively rare compared to other parts of the world, like the United States. The UK experiences about 30-50 tornadoes per year, mostly weak and short-lived.

What should you do if an EF5 tornado is approaching your home?

First, it is impossible to know how exactly strong a tornado is before it hits. But if a strong tornado is approaching you should be in your basement or storm cellar which is the safest place to be. Even if the tornado is an EF5 the portion of it with EF5 winds may still easily miss you.

What is strongest Tornado to ever hit Louisiana?

The strongest tornado to hit Louisiana on record occurred on February 21, 1971, in Orleans Parish. This F4 tornado had wind speeds estimated between 207-260 mph, causing significant damage and sadly resulting in 5 fatalities.

What if tornado takes the whole house?

If a tornado takes the whole house, it would likely result in complete destruction of the property. Residents would need to seek shelter in a designated safe area and contact emergency services for assistance. Recovery efforts would involve rebuilding or relocating to a new home.

Why did your ears pop during a tornado?

Your ears pop when air pressure changes. The pressure inside a tornado is much lower than its surroundings.