Tornados

Tornados

              The tornados are the most powerful storms on earth because of their size. Scientist have much to learn about tornados. Some researchers called “storm chasers” get their information by going into a dangerous storm, risking their lives to gather information. Tornados have very specific pressure, formation and what they look like. Read the following information to find out more about these deadly storms.

Wind and Pressure

            The tornados winds are among the fastest on earth. They can blow up to 300 miles per hour, which is almost as fast as a DC-10 airplane would travel. The air pressure inside a tornado is much lower than the air pressure outside a tornado.  This is what a tornado can do                  

How They Form

            Most tornados develop along a boundary called a cold front. This is where cool, dry air meets warm humid air. If the warm air rises very quickly, more warm air rushes in to replace it. As this air rises, it sometimes starts to rotate. This is the beginning of a tornado. Tornados require a perfect atmosphere to develop.

What they look like

            The rotating air forms a tornado which is shaped like a long thin funnel twirling around. The funnel stretches from the ground to the clouds about 15,000 to 20,000 feet in the air. The inside of the funnel is hollow and contains several smaller funnels known as “suction vortices”. A single tornado many have as many as six or a few as one suction vortices.  A tornado looks like a dark, spinning funnel hanging down from a dark thundercloud. These mighty storms are tall skinny funnels of spinning air.

Did you know?

            Another name for tornado is twister.

The funnel cloud begins as a very dark cloud at the bottom of a thundercloud and works its way downward.

Tornados are the most powerful storms on earth because of their size.

“Tornado alley” is considered to be the states in the mid-western United States. This is where the conditions are perfect for a tornado.

What to do if there is a Tornado:

If there is a Tornado, you go into something that is underground like a basement, underground shelter, or an enclosed room. Make sure you stay inside so you remain safe.  You should also have a radio to listen to the weather broadcast so you will know when the storm is over. 

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