Many will say that Australia does not have tornadoes, but this is completely wrong. It is true that Australia is more prone to cyclones (the equivalent of hurricanes and typhoons) rather than tornadoes. However, tornado-like conditions may develop with thunderstorms, and while they're not usually officially recognised as "tornadoes" and are far less destructive than their northern hemisphere equivalents, mini-tornadoes DO occur in Australia. Tornado-like conditions have been reported during storms in each of the states, from sub-tropical Queensland down to dry South Australia. In January 2013, a series of tornadoes ripped through southeast Queensland, badly damaging property in the towns of Burnett Heads, Bargara and Bundaberg.
Over a period of more than 90 years, since 1918, there have been an estimated 55 deaths from tornadoes in Australia.
Tornadoes do not have names. Australia has had many tornadoes, too many to list here.
Australia has about 80 tornadoes every year.
Actually, tornadoes are not uncommon in Australia. which actually takes 3rd place in annual number of tornadoes, after the United States and Canada. However, about 80% of tornadoes, possibly higher in Australia, are only strong enough to cause mild to moderate damage.
Tornadoes can happen anywhere - they're usually formed from severe thunderstorms.
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Yes. Australia ranks 3rd in tornado activity among other nations, following the United States and Canada.
Tornadoes are often referred to simply as "tornadoes" or "twisters."
Tornadoes are not "common" anywhere in Australia, but they do occur. They are more likely to occur in the southwestern region of Western Australia, and the southeast, such as southeastern South Australia and western Victoria, where temperature changes can be sudden and dramatic. they have also been known to occur in southeast Queensland, and northeastern New South Wales. On the whole, Australia-wide, tornadoes occur on an average of about 16 a year. These are nowhere near as violent and damaging as tornadoes in the USA.
No, hail doesn't fall in tornadoes, but it often falls near them.
It is a matter of intensity. Not only are tornadoes not as common in Australia, but they are generally not as strong. The strength of tornadoes is rated on the Fujita scale, which has six categories, ranging from F0 for the weakest tornadoes to F5 for the strongest. Australia rarely gets tornadoes stronger than F2. Such tornadoes can cause fairly significant damage, but don't wipe out entire neighbourhoods and rarely kill. By contrast, the United States usually gets at least several F4 tornadoes every year and gets F5 tornadoes every few years. These are the tornadoes that cause the catastrophic damage that makes national and international news.
Yes. In terms of recorded tornadoes Australia is ranked second or third among the world's nations. It is behind the United States and nearly neck and neck with Canada.
Tornadoes are often called twisters.