Tornado
A tornado is a violent atmospheric wind storm that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground in a funnel shape. Very often tornadoes form out of supercell thunderstorms, which are storms that last for a number of hours, have a rotating updraft of wind and have a hook or pendant shape on radar.
The updraft of wind in these weather systems contributes to the formation of a tornado. Wind that is closer to the ground moves at a slower speed in one direction and gets caught in a storm’s updraft that is moving faster and in the opposite direction. This is called a wind shear. The updraft tilts the wind closer to the ground to a vertical angle resulting in a column of rotating air that forms tornadoes.
Read more about 'Tornadoes'
Visible clues of a tornado can be difficult to spot as some tornadoes never form a visible funnel. But dark green skies, walls of clouds with large hail and a loud roar similar to a freight train are good indicators that conditions are ripe for a tornado.
In the event of a tornado, it’s best to move to either a basement or the lowest possible floor in a building. If a basement is not available, an interior room of the building that is away from windows, such as a hallway or bathroom, is the second best option.
Source: NOAA.gov
(Text by Noel Kirkpatrick)
(Photo: ya.zan)
Articles about Tornado
Tue, May 22 2012 at 9:35 AM EST
May 22 marks the 1-year anniversary of the EF-5 tornado that leveled the Missouri town.Mon, Apr 09 2012 at 4:44 PM EST
Unseasonably warm temperatures across the U.S. allowed warm, moist air to collide with cold, drier air, priming the country for tornadoes.Thu, Apr 05 2012 at 12:01 PM EST
Residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area are picking up the pieces after multiple late-afternoon twisters inflicted major destruction on the area earlier this week.Wed, Apr 04 2012 at 9:38 PM EST
Storm chasers head into storms with well-equipped vehicles, including wireless Internet and radar.Wed, Apr 04 2012 at 1:59 PM EST
Tornadoes have an easier time flipping trucks when they're empty, resulting in a weight imbalance between each end of the truck.Wed, Apr 04 2012 at 4:26 AM EST
At least 2 tornadoes ripped across northern Texas, flipping trucks like toys, tearing off roofs and grounding flights but causing only minor casualties.Tue, Apr 03 2012 at 3:11 PM EST
Video: At least 2 tornadoes appear to have touched down in areas south of Dallas, NBC News is reporting.Thu, Mar 08 2012 at 12:37 PM EST
A meteorologist and a Joplin, Mo., tornado survivor impart a few tips for staying safe before, during and after the storm.Mon, Mar 05 2012 at 3:08 PM EST
Three to five inches of snow fell in Indiana and Kentucky, where recovery efforts were under way after at least 30 tornadoes ripped through the region.Sun, Mar 04 2012 at 6:56 PM EST
Residents of storm-ravaged communities are reaching out to each other through social media to coordinate disaster relief and share information.Features
Photos: 10 terrifying twisters
- 1. Solar Storm
- 2. Recipes
- 3. Earthquake News
- 4. Tornado
- 5. Chevy Volt
- 6. Wind Power
- 7. Green Cleaning
- 8. Green Technology
- 9. Apple
- 10. Global Warming
