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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

lowest level of the building

preferably a sturdy room

with no windows

like a bathroom perhaps

or a janitors closet

cover your body and/or head with a blanket or sheet and/or your arms

Yes. Some tornadoes form in low precipitation or LP supercells, which produce little to no rain. Additionally, many tornadoes that form in "classic" supercells often occur in a rain-free section of the storm.

It is not safe to seek shelter in a parking garage during a tornado as they are typically not built to withstand the high winds and debris associated with tornadoes. It is best to seek shelter in a designated storm shelter or a sturdy building with a basement if possible.

Yes, Joplin, MO is located in what is known as Tornado Alley, making it prone to tornadoes. The city experienced a devastating EF5 tornado in 2011 that caused significant destruction and loss of life. Residents in the area are encouraged to have a plan in place for severe weather events.

Tornadoes can occur in New Jersey during the spring and summer months, but the exact timing and location are unpredictable. It's important to stay informed about weather alerts and have a safety plan in place in case a tornado does occur.

The survival rate for individuals picked up by a tornado is extremely low, estimated to be around 10-15%. The violent winds and debris pose a great risk to those caught in the vortex of a tornado. It is important to take shelter in a sturdy location during a tornado warning to improve the chances of survival.