Tornado Shapes

Tornadoes are storms in which powerful rotating winds form a column that extends from a cloud to the ground. Tornado winds are the strongest on Earth. They have top speeds of up to 300 miles per hour (500 kilometers per hour). High winds can flatten buildings and propel heavy objects into the air, such as cars. However, most tornadoes are brief and cause minor damage.

Running away from Tornado

Tornado Features

The whirling winds of a tornado are visible due to water droplets in the air. A funnel cloud is a visible column. A funnel cloud can take the form of a cone, pillar, or tube. It can range in width from a few feet to hundreds of feet. In the Northern Hemisphere, winds usually blow counterclockwise, while in the Southern Hemisphere, winds blow clockwise.

Once a tornado touches the floor, it travels across the land at about 28 miles (45 kilometres) per hour. As a result, tornadoes typically move west to east. Tornadoes are typically only two or three minutes long. However, tornadoes can last for 15 minutes or more.

Tornadoes - Spinning Thunderstorms

Types of Tornadoes

• A supercell is a large, long-lasting thunderstorm. It is capable of forming some of the most powerful and violent tornadoes.

• A waterspout is a spout that forms over water. When they hit land, they usually dissipate.

• A landspout is similar to a waterspout, but it is on land. Therefore, it is weak and not associated with an air vortex from a thunderstorm.

• Gustnado - A small tornado caused by wind gusts at a weather front.

• A tornado with more than one spinning tube of air is known as multiple vortexes.

Example of Multi-vortex Tornadoes

Example of Waterspout Tornadoes

Tornado Safety

Meteorologists can forecast where and when tornadoes will form. When the weather conditions are favourable for a tornado, meteorologists issue a tornado alert. A tornado alert is issued when a tornado is spotted.

People should seek shelter in sturdy buildings if a tornado is approaching. The safest places are basements and rooms without windows. Mobile homes and automobiles do not provide adequate protection. If a person is caught outside, they should stay close to the ground, preferably in a ditch.

Survive a Tornado

Interesting Facts about Tornadoes

Scale of 0 to 5, with F0 being Tornadoes 

• Tornadoes are even known as twisters, cyclones, and funnels.

• A wind vortex must make contact with the ground to be officially designated as a tornado.

• Over 1,000 tornadoes strike the United States each year, more than any other country.

• Tornadoes have the fastest winds on the planet.

• Don't expect to outrun a tornado; the average tornado travels at 30 miles per hour, but some can reach speeds of 70 miles per hour.

Summary

A violently spinning column of air that makes contact with the ground, usually at the base of a thunderstorm. Tornadoes are the most damaging storms in nature. Tornadoes, which are spawned by powerful thunderstorms, can kill people and devastate a neighbourhood in seconds. Tornado winds can get speeds of up to 300 miles per hour.