As already mentioned on our Tornados page, a tornado is a tall, funnell-shaped whirlwind that can be as tall as 2,000 feet.
A tornado will not last for long, typically a few minutes and will cross land for between one and three miles. It will have a diameter of 22 to 110 yards(20 to 100 metres). Wind speeds are usually around 72 to 113 m.p.h but can reach 200 m.p.h.
In contrast, a hurricane is an intense area of low pressure that only forms in the tropics where the sea-surface temperature is at least 27 °C. A hurricane has a diameter of around 100 miles(about 150 km), mean wind speeds that average at least 73 m.p.h. (by definition) and can last for several days.
Hurricanes are known by different names in different parts of the world. Inthe western Pacific they are called 'typhoons', and in the Indian Ocean they are called 'cyclones'. Collectively, hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones are known as tropical cyclones.
Tropical Cyclones are one of the most destructive weather systems on earth. If you don't believe us, check out our picture gallery below. |
