Tornado: Difference between revisions

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'''Tornado'''
== Tornado ==


A '''[[Tornado]]''' is a rapidly rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a [[cumulonimbus cloud]] or, in rare cases, the base of a [[cumulus cloud]]. The strongest tornadoes can produce destructive winds with speeds of over 300 mph.
A '''tornado''' is a rapidly rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. The wind speeds of tornadoes can reach up to 300 miles per hour (480 km/h), and they can cause significant damage to structures and vegetation in their path.


==Characteristics==
== Formation ==


Tornadoes come in many shapes and sizes, but are typically in the form of a visible [[condensation funnel]], whose narrow end touches the Earth and is often encircled by a cloud of debris and dust. Most tornadoes have wind speeds less than 110 miles per hour (180 km/h), are about 250 feet (80 m) across, and travel a few miles (several kilometers) before dissipating.
Tornadoes form in association with severe thunderstorms, particularly those known as [[supercells]]. A supercell is a thunderstorm with a deep, persistently rotating updraft called a mesocyclone. The process of tornado formation is complex and involves the interaction of various atmospheric conditions, including wind shear, instability, and moisture.


==Formation==
=== Mesocyclone ===


The most tornadoes are associated with the [[supercell]] thunderstorm. During a supercell, the wind speed and direction change with height. This change in wind speed and direction with height is known as [[wind shear]]. This wind shear and the [[updraft]] (warm, rising air) interact to create rotation.
A mesocyclone is a region of rotation within a thunderstorm. It is typically 2 to 10 kilometers in diameter and is associated with the development of severe weather, including tornadoes. The rotation of the mesocyclone is often visible as a wall cloud, which is a lowering of the cloud base.


==Classification==
=== Tornadogenesis ===


Tornadoes are classified according to the [[Enhanced Fujita scale]] (EF Scale), which rates tornadoes by damage caused. An EF0 tornado, the weakest category, damages trees but does not cause significant damage to structures. An EF5 tornado, the strongest category, rips buildings off their foundations and can deform large skyscrapers.
The process of tornado formation, or tornadogenesis, involves the intensification of the mesocyclone and the development of a funnel cloud. As the funnel cloud descends, it may reach the ground and become a tornado. The exact mechanisms of tornadogenesis are still a subject of research.


==Safety and Preparedness==
== Classification ==


[[Tornado preparedness]] involves having a plan in place before a tornado occurs. This can include knowing the signs of a tornado, having a designated shelter, and being able to quickly move to that shelter when a tornado warning is issued.
Tornadoes are classified based on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, which estimates wind speeds based on the damage caused. The scale ranges from EF0, with minor damage, to EF5, with incredible damage.


==See also==
== Tornado Alley ==
 
[[Tornado Alley]] is a colloquial term for a region of the United States where tornadoes are most frequent. This area includes parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The region's unique geography and climate contribute to the high frequency of tornadoes.
 
== Safety and Preparedness ==
 
To protect against tornadoes, it is important to have a safety plan in place. This includes identifying a safe location, such as a basement or interior room, and having an emergency kit ready. Tornado warnings and watches are issued by meteorological agencies to alert the public of potential tornado threats.
 
== Related Pages ==
 
* [[Supercell]]
* [[Enhanced Fujita scale]]
* [[Tornado Alley]]
* [[Tornado Alley]]
* [[Tornado climatology]]
* [[Severe weather]]
* [[Tornado records]]
 
* [[Tornado intensity and damage]]
== Gallery ==
 
<gallery>
File:F5_tornado_Elie_Manitoba_2007.jpg|F5 tornado in Elie, Manitoba, 2007
File:A_tornado_near_Anadarko,_Oklahoma,_on_May_3,_1999.jpg|Tornado near Anadarko, Oklahoma, 1999
File:Waurika_Oklahoma_Tornado_Back_and_Front.jpg|Tornado in Waurika, Oklahoma
File:Tornado_infrasound_sources.png|Diagram of tornado infrasound sources
File:Tornado_time_lapse.webm|Time-lapse of a tornado
File:Tornado_Formation_of_it's_wall_cloud_from_a_Mesocyclone.svg|Formation of a wall cloud from a mesocyclone
File:Stovepipe_Tornado_near_Yuma,_Colorado.jpg|Stovepipe tornado near Yuma, Colorado
File:Tornado_Roping_Out_in_Eastern_Colorado.jpg|Tornado roping out in Eastern Colorado
File:Trombe.jpg|Trombe
File:Dust_devil.jpg|Dust devil
File:Shown_here_May_22,_2013,_is_an_aerial_view_of_homes_destroyed_by_a_tornado_in_Moore,_Okla_130522-F-IE715-379.jpg|Aerial view of tornado damage in Moore, Oklahoma, 2013
File:Globdisttornado.jpg|Global distribution of tornadoes
File:Tornado_Alley.gif|Map of Tornado Alley
File:Tornado_US_annual_count.svg|Annual tornado count in the US
File:Tornado1857.jpg|Historical tornado illustration, 1857
File:NapervilleWoodridgeRadarGraphic.png|Radar graphic of a tornado near Naperville and Woodridge
File:Wall_cloud12_-_NOAA.jpg|Wall cloud
File:Pilger,_NE_tornadoes.jpg|Tornadoes in Pilger, Nebraska
File:Birmingham_tornado_2005_damage.jpg|Damage from the Birmingham tornado, 2005
File:Tornado_with_DOW.jpg|Tornado with Doppler on Wheels
File:Rope_Tornado_near_Yuma,_Colorado.jpg|Rope tornado near Yuma, Colorado
File:Tornado_near_Punkin_Center,_CO.jpg|Tornado near Punkin Center, Colorado
File:NorthSeaTornadoEF0.jpg|EF0 tornado over the North Sea
File:Tornado_Roping_Out_near_Merino,_CO.jpg|Tornado roping out near Merino, Colorado
File:Andover_Tornado,_April_29,_2022,_City_Hall_East_Camera.webm|Andover tornado, April 29, 2022
File:Tornadic_classic_supercell_radar.gif|Radar of a classic supercell
File:NEXRAD_radar_of_an_EF2_tornado_in_Kansas_on_March_13,_2024.png|NEXRAD radar of an EF2 tornado in Kansas
File:05june-dow7-wide.gif|Doppler on Wheels radar image
</gallery>
 
[[Category:Meteorological phenomena]]


[[Category:Tornado]]
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Severe weather and convection]]
[[Category:Vortex]]
[[Category:Wind]]
[[Category:Storm]]
{{Weather-stub}}

Latest revision as of 01:19, 10 February 2025

Tornado[edit]

A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. The wind speeds of tornadoes can reach up to 300 miles per hour (480 km/h), and they can cause significant damage to structures and vegetation in their path.

Formation[edit]

Tornadoes form in association with severe thunderstorms, particularly those known as supercells. A supercell is a thunderstorm with a deep, persistently rotating updraft called a mesocyclone. The process of tornado formation is complex and involves the interaction of various atmospheric conditions, including wind shear, instability, and moisture.

Mesocyclone[edit]

A mesocyclone is a region of rotation within a thunderstorm. It is typically 2 to 10 kilometers in diameter and is associated with the development of severe weather, including tornadoes. The rotation of the mesocyclone is often visible as a wall cloud, which is a lowering of the cloud base.

Tornadogenesis[edit]

The process of tornado formation, or tornadogenesis, involves the intensification of the mesocyclone and the development of a funnel cloud. As the funnel cloud descends, it may reach the ground and become a tornado. The exact mechanisms of tornadogenesis are still a subject of research.

Classification[edit]

Tornadoes are classified based on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, which estimates wind speeds based on the damage caused. The scale ranges from EF0, with minor damage, to EF5, with incredible damage.

Tornado Alley[edit]

Tornado Alley is a colloquial term for a region of the United States where tornadoes are most frequent. This area includes parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The region's unique geography and climate contribute to the high frequency of tornadoes.

Safety and Preparedness[edit]

To protect against tornadoes, it is important to have a safety plan in place. This includes identifying a safe location, such as a basement or interior room, and having an emergency kit ready. Tornado warnings and watches are issued by meteorological agencies to alert the public of potential tornado threats.

Related Pages[edit]

Gallery[edit]

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