TORNADOES
WHAT IS A TORNADO?
A clash of moist warm air and dry cold air causes a tornado. Tornadoes usually don't occur west of the Rocky mountains. The worst tornado ever killed almost 250 people and injured about 2020 people. It was a tri-state tornado, meaning that it went though three different states at the same time when it was still touching the ground.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TORNADO WARNING AND A TORNADO WATCH?
The difference between a tornado warning and a tornado watch is very self-explanatory. Tornado watches are put into effect when a tornado can and maybe will hit the ground in the near future. Tornado warnings are put into effect when a tornado has been sighted near the area. The tornado warning or watch will most likely go into effect in the surrounding counties also.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WORST TORNADOES IN THE U.S. AND CANADA?
The worst tornado ever killed almost 250 people and injured about 2020 people. It was a tri-state tornado, meaning that it went through three different states during the time it was on the ground.
TORNADO FACTS
1. You have little amount of time to get to safety when a tornado is in "effect" or when the tornado is on the ground.
2. When a tornado is about to hit the air will probably die down, the sky might turn green, and the air may become still.
3. The most damaging tornado is an F-5. (See chart for more information)
4. 800 tornadoes strike on the average in a year, with usually 80 deaths and 1500 injuries.
5. The following usually come as "side orders" with a tornado: large hail, strong winds, rain, thunder, and lightning.
6. Some times two or more tornadoes strike at the same time. 2 tornadoes are called a pair of sisters or twins and 3 tornadoes are called a set of triplets.
7. Violent tornadoes may last more than an hour to an hour and a half. Strong tornadoes may last twenty minutes or longer. Weak tornadoes may last one to three minutes.
8. Tornado alley is in the central United States, stretching from Texas to south central South Dakota. Tornado alley may even reach up into southern South Dakota.
9.
Weak Tornadoes Strong Tornadoes Violent Tornadoes
| 69% of all tornadoes | 29% of all tornadoes | Only 2% of all tornadoes |
| Less than 5% of Tornado deaths | Nearly 30% of all tornado deaths | 70% of all tornado deaths |
| Lifetime 1-10+ minutes | May last 20 minutes or longer | Lifetime can exceed 1 hour |
| Winds less than 110 mph | Winds 110-205 mph | Winds greater than 205 mph |
(From the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Weather Service.)
10. Tornado Myths and Facts
1.
M: Areas near rivers, lakes, and mountains are safe from tornadoes. F: No place is safe from tornadoes. In the late 1980's, a tornado swept through Yellowstone National Park leaving a path of destruction up and down a 10,000 foot mountain.
2.
M: The low pressure with a tornado causes buildings to "explode" as the tornado passes overhead.
F: Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings causes most structural damage.
3.
M: Windows should be opened before a tornado approaches to equalize pressure and minimize damage.
F: Opening windows allows damaging winds to enter the structure. Leave the windows alone; instead, immediately go to a safe place.
(From the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and National Weather Service.)
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