Tornadoes
may be nature's most violent storms. Although they are
not large like hurricanes, there are about 1,000 reported
tornadoes in the US each year. A tornado is a powerful
column of spinning air that reaches from a thunderstorm
cloud to the ground. The strongest tornadoes can cause
massive destruction and have wind speeds of 250 mph or
more. The path of damage can be a mile wide or more and
50 miles long.
Tornadoes are caused by thunderstorms
but can also be caused by hurricanes.
They are created when cool air passes over warm air causing
the air to rise rapidly. Damage is caused by the high
winds of up to 250 mph or more and the stuff they toss
around.
Tornadoes can happen anywhere in the United
States and all around the world. A tornado over water
is called a "waterspout". They come in many
shapes and sizes. In southern states, the worst time of
year for tornadoes is between March and May. In northern
states, summer is the worst.
