Tornadoes are one of the most destructive and fascinating natural phenomena on Earth. They are a type of violent windstorm that can cause massive damage to buildings and infrastructure in just a matter of minutes. In this article, we will explore what tornadoes are, why they occur, where they are most common, and how to survive them.
A tornado is a rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground. They can have wind speeds of up to 300 miles per hour and can be several hundred yards wide. Tornadoes are usually accompanied by a distinctive funnel-shaped cloud and a loud roaring noise.
Tornadoes occur when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico collides with cooler, drier air from Canada. This clash of air masses creates instability in the atmosphere, causing the air to spin horizontally. When the spinning air rises and meets colder air in the upper atmosphere, it can form a vertical column of rotating air. If the conditions are right, this column can intensify into a tornado.
Tornadoes are formed very much according to the rules of Kalvaishakhi. Air filled with hot water vapor from the sea enters the plains and gradually rises upwards. At some point it is exposed to cold air. And vertical clouds are formed from it. The vertical cloud continues to rise in height and at some point the cloud breaks up to form Kalbaisakhi. The process of tornado formation is almost the same. However, in this case, due to the complexity of the air flow, vortices are formed inside the long vertical cloud. The vortex descends in the form of a narrow funnel (looks like an elephant's trunk) near the ground. And upon touching the ground, the giant swirling funnel draws everything towards its center. As a result, the swirling funnel leaves a signature of destruction in the area it passes through.
From the end of winter to the beginning of the rainy season, tornadoes strike more often. How long do tornadoes last? From a few seconds to an hour. But most of them last for ten minutes.
Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year. In southern states, peak tornado occurrence is March through May, while peak months in northern states are during the summer. Tornadoes are most likely between 3 and 9 p.m. but have occurred at all hours.
Where are Tornadoes Most Common?
Tornadoes can occur in any part of the world, but they are most common in the United States, particularly in an area known as Tornado Alley. Tornado Alley covers a large portion of the central and southern United States, including parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Other countries with a high incidence of tornadoes include Canada, Argentina, and Bangladesh.
Shape of Tornado:
Most tornadoes look like a narrow funnel, with a small cloud of debris near the surface extending several hundred yards (several hundred meters). However, tornadoes can be of different sizes and shapes. Small, relatively weak Earth pillars are only visible at the surface as a small cloud of dust. Although the condensation funnel may not extend to land at times, if wind speeds exceed 40 mph (or 64 km/h), the rotation is considered a tornado. Large single-vortex tornadoes look like wedges at the surface. That is why they are called wedge tornadoes. These wedge-shaped tornadoes are so widespread that only the thick dark cloud stacks are visible, extending far beyond the cloud's distance from the surface. That's why even experienced meteorologists often struggle to distinguish between low-hanging clouds and wedge-shaped tornadoes when viewed from a distance. Tornadoes in their exhausted stages look like narrow tubes or ropes, and often bend and take complex shapes. This is called roping out where tornadoes become rope tornadoes. Multi-vortex tornadoes look like numerous vortices revolving around a specific center, or take the form of a funnel completely covered by condensation, dust, and debris. Apart from these shapes, due to rain and dust, the shape of the tornado is often obscured. These tornadoes are very dangerous, as even experienced meteorologists often fail to detect them.
How is tornado strength measured?
Tornadoes can occur in any part of the world, but they are most common in the United States, particularly in an area known as Tornado Alley. Tornado Alley covers a large portion of the central and southern United States, including parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Other countries with a high incidence of tornadoes include Canada, Argentina, and Bangladesh.
Most tornadoes look like a narrow funnel, with a small cloud of debris near the surface extending several hundred yards (several hundred meters). However, tornadoes can be of different sizes and shapes. Small, relatively weak Earth pillars are only visible at the surface as a small cloud of dust. Although the condensation funnel may not extend to land at times, if wind speeds exceed 40 mph (or 64 km/h), the rotation is considered a tornado. Large single-vortex tornadoes look like wedges at the surface. That is why they are called wedge tornadoes. These wedge-shaped tornadoes are so widespread that only the thick dark cloud stacks are visible, extending far beyond the cloud's distance from the surface. That's why even experienced meteorologists often struggle to distinguish between low-hanging clouds and wedge-shaped tornadoes when viewed from a distance. Tornadoes in their exhausted stages look like narrow tubes or ropes, and often bend and take complex shapes. This is called roping out where tornadoes become rope tornadoes. Multi-vortex tornadoes look like numerous vortices revolving around a specific center, or take the form of a funnel completely covered by condensation, dust, and debris. Apart from these shapes, due to rain and dust, the shape of the tornado is often obscured. These tornadoes are very dangerous, as even experienced meteorologists often fail to detect them.
The strength of a tornado is measured by how much damage it does. In 1971 T. Theodore Fujita developed a scale (F scale). The destructive power of a tornado is rated on an F scale of one to five. F-Five is the most powerful tornado. Monday's tornado in Oklahoma was an F-4.
What kind of sound does a tornado make when it approaches?
Much like the sound made when a train approaches. Sometimes the sound of waterfall is also heard.
When and where was the strongest tornado?
April 26, 1989. In Bangladesh 1300 people died in Manikganj district.
Is it possible to predict tornadoes?
Doppler radar shows how clouds form. Based on that warning message is issued.
Tornado family
Sometimes a single tornado spawns multiple tornadoes and mesocyclones. When a separate tornado develops from a separate mesocyclone, the process is called cyclic tornadogenesis. Tornadoes that originate from the same tornado are called tornado families. Sometimes several tornadoes form together from a separate mesocyclone, and in some cases older tornadoes merge with newly formed tornadoes.
How to Survive a Tornado?
Why is the damage so high in tornadoes? Vertical cloud vortices form a funnel shape and come very close to the ground. Whatever falls into that funnel, everything is blown away by the storm. The storm can also lift a train compartment off the line and throw it several kilometers away. A strong tornado can tear down a multi-story building into a mere iron structure.
If you live in an area prone to tornadoes, it's important to be prepared and know how to protect yourself and your loved ones. Here are some tips on how to survive a tornado:
Why is the damage so high in tornadoes? Vertical cloud vortices form a funnel shape and come very close to the ground. Whatever falls into that funnel, everything is blown away by the storm. The storm can also lift a train compartment off the line and throw it several kilometers away. A strong tornado can tear down a multi-story building into a mere iron structure.
If you live in an area prone to tornadoes, it's important to be prepared and know how to protect yourself and your loved ones. Here are some tips on how to survive a tornado:
- Have a Plan: Develop an emergency plan with your family, including a designated safe place to shelter during a tornado.
- Stay Informed: Keep track of weather conditions and listen to local news and radio for updates.
- Seek Shelter: If a tornado is approaching, seek shelter in a basement, storm cellar, or a small interior room on the lowest level of a building. If you're outside, find a low-lying area and lie flat, covering your head with your arms.
- Protect Yourself: Use sturdy furniture, mattresses, or blankets to cover yourself and your loved ones from flying debris.
- Stay Put: Don't try to outrun a tornado in a car or on foot. It's safer to stay put and ride out the storm in a secure shelter.
In conclusion, tornadoes are a powerful and destructive natural phenomenon that can strike without warning. By being prepared, staying informed, and seeking shelter during a tornado, you can increase your chances of surviving this deadly storm.
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