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Tuesday, May 21, 2013
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MNN.COM › ECO-GLOSSARY

Tornado News

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

  • Earthquake latest in series of natural disasters to hit Missouri

    Tue, Jun 07 2011 at 1:45 PM

    The quake caused no deaths or injuries, a minor blow for a state recently hit by a series of natural disasters including tornadoes, floods and even cicadas.

  • Alabama residents cope with stress after deadly storms

    Sun, Jun 05 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Alabama government gearing up to help citizens deal with loss and future fears with counseling centers and aid programs.

  • Circus elephant aids Joplin cleanup efforts

    Thu, Jun 02 2011 at 3:25 PM

    Video: A volunteer in Joplin, Mo., captured video of an elephant, which was in town with a traveling circus, being used to help clean up debris.

  • Tornadoes tear through Massachusetts

    Thu, Jun 02 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Video: Rare, deadly tornadoes slam parts of Massachusetts, killing at least four and injuring dozens. NBC's Mike Taibbi reports on the devastation, including dramatic footage of a twister ripping through the state's third-largest city.

  • Boston tornadoes leave 4 dead

    Thu, Jun 02 2011 at 6:51 AM

    Gov. Deval Patrick declares a state of emergency and authorizes 1,000 National Guard troops to provide support after tornadoes touch down.

  • Hurricane season starts with first storm

    Wed, Jun 01 2011 at 4:02 PM

  • Safe House: For when security cameras just don't cut it

    Wed, Jun 01 2011 at 10:45 AM

    Ideal for those who want to ride out the zombie apocalypse in sustainable style, KWK Promes' Safe House outside of Warsaw, Poland, features a drawbridge, moving walls and renewable energy systems.

  • Without basements, Joplin had scant refuge from tornado

    Tue, May 31 2011 at 5:43 PM

    Unfavorable soil contributes to a lack of basements in much of the South, where just over 11 percent of new homes include full or partial basements.

  • Searching for survivors in Joplin

    Fri, May 27 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Video: Officials are sorting through a list of 232 people still unaccounted for in the chaos after Sunday's tornado strike.

  • Eco-photos of the week: May 22-28

    Fri, May 27 2011 at 6:29 AM

    Check out the best environmental photos for the week of May 22, 2011.

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