Environmental Science – Severe Weather Tornadoes Environmental Science – Severe Weather

Tornadoes Tornadoes are the smallest, most violent, and shortest-lived severe storm. Occur along cold front. It is a rotating column of air with high wind speeds and a funnel-shaped cloud that results from a thunderstorm.

Tornado Formation In the United States, tornadoes form when cold, dry air from Canada meets warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico causing the rising and rotating of air.

Steps to Tornado Formation Wind traveling in two directions causes a layer of air in the middle to begin to rotate like a roll of toilet paper. The rotating column of air is turned to a vertical position by strong updrafts of air within the cumulonimbus cloud. The rotating column of air works its way down to the bottom of the cumulonimbus cloud and forms a funnel cloud. The funnel cloud touches the ground.

Tornado Alley In the United States, tornadoes are most likely to occur in the late spring to early summer. Tornado Alley refers to the region of the U.S. that has a high frequency of tornadoes Central U.S. stretching up from Texas up through the Midwest

Measuring Tornadoes Tornado Watch – (be prepared) tornadoes are possible in the area Tornado Warning – (take action) a tornado has been spotted in the area, sirens sound, take the necessary precautions Tornadoes are measured using the enhanced Fujita scale. This scale is categorized by wind speeds with ratings of EF0 – EF5.

Tornado Resources https://www.brainpop.com/science/weather/tornadoes/ https://utica.discoveryeducation.com/player/view/assetGuid/E39B32 F9-9906-453F-A293-24CD85D4C0E2