|
What is a tornado?
|
A
tornado is a whirling
wind characteristically accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud extending from a cumulonimbus cloud. A
cumulonimbus cloud is a dark
and heavy cloud that rises like
mountains high in the sky. It
often shows an anvil--shaped veil of ice clouds.
|
|
How
is a tornado created? |
|
|
To the right is a picture of a cumulonimbus
cloud
commonly called a thunderhead. Notice the anvil shape. When a thunderstorm approaches you, a tornado will come first and then the
hail and heavy rain follows. The hail is formed in the up currents of this
super cell and falls out in the down currents of the storm. |
 |
Where
is Tornado Alley?
|
|
Tornado
Alley is located in the red and yellow zones.
The red zones are hit more often than than the
yellow zones. Remember that tornadoes can hit anywhere in the United States. |
|
How do you measure the
strength of a tornado? |
| The Fujita scale is a scale that measures the
strength and effects
of a tornado. By the damage incurred, scientists can assess how much force (wind
speed) was needed to create the damage. However, with the advent of the
Doppler radar, scientists can now indirectly
measure the wind speed from a distance. Light damage is when a branches fall off the trees
much like when a heavy thunderstorm passes through. In moderate damage some trees
will have fallen down and windows will be broken. Considerable damage causes trees
to be uprooted, mobile homes to be turned over, and outdoor weak structures to be
demolished such as sheds. Severe damage is very serious damage such as overturned
cars, demolished walls and trees will be flatten. In devastating and incredible
damages, structures may be demolished, picked up, and carried over wide areas. |
| FUJITA TORNADO INTENSITY SCALE |
Rating
|
Wind
Speed (mph) |
Damaged
expected |
| Weak |
|
|
| F-0 |
40-72 |
Light Damage |
| F-1 |
73-112 |
Moderate Damage |
| Strong |
|
|
| F-2 |
113-157 |
Considerable Damage |
| F-3 |
157-206 |
Severe Damage |
| Violent |
|
|
| F-4 |
207-260 |
Devastating Damage |
| F-5 |
261-318
|
Incredible Damage |
| What
is a tornado warning? The key to saving lives is being aware and prepared. The first step
in being aware and prepared is to know the difference between a tornado warning
and a tornado watch.
A tornado
watch means that conditions are favorable
for tornadoes to form. The conditions are determined by local and national
meteorologists.
When a tornado
watch has been issued, you should turn on
your local television or radio station. If outside, stay aware of approaching,
threatening clouds. If you hear thunder, then the storm is near enough for
you to move inside and listen to further news broadcasts.
A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted locally or Doppler
radar picked up large scale rotations where tornadoes are likely to form. Visit the
Safety Page for details on what do to if a warning has been
issued
|
Do
we study tornadoes? |
| Yes! Meteorologists are scientists that studies, understands,
observes, or forecasts the Earth's phenomenon of weather. Meteorologists can also be
called atmospheric scientists. We commonly think of meteorologists as the
weatherman; yet there is much more to the field. For example, meteorology is
needed in fields such as severe storms forecaster, bioclimatologists, air traffic
controller assistant, national laboratory researcher, hydrological engineer,
agriculturalist, teacher, radio propagation researcher, paleoclimatology, and many more.
If you study geology, it is very helpful to have knowledge of weather in the fields
of sedimentology, paleogeology, and hydrology. Weather enthusiasts contribute to
science of meteorology by being storm spotters or tornado chasers. |
|
