What is a Tornado? A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. (Watch Tornado Montage)

A tornado can have winds up to miles per hour. About tornadoes occur each year in the United States. are weak tornadoes that form over water. Each year, approximately people lose their lives because of tornadoes. Most tornadoes occur in, which stretches from Texas to Nebraska and also includes Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas Missouri, and Arkansas. What do you think??? 300 1,000 Waterspouts 70 Tornado Alley

Basic Facts begin with a thunderstorm. can have damage paths that are greater than one mile wide and 50 miles long. usually move southwest to northeast, but are known to move in any direction. are most common in Tornado Alley, but they can happen ANYWHERE. are measured by The Fujita Scale. Tornadoes…

Tornadoes are most frequently reported east of the Rocky Mountains during spring and summer months. Peak Tornado season in the southern states is March through May; in the northern states, it is late spring to early summer. Most Tornadoes occur in Tornado Alley, which stretches from Texas to Nebraska. Occasionally, tornadoes develop so fast that there is very little warning. Although they usually occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., they can happen anytime of the day. Where and When are Tornadoes most likely to occur?

What causes a Tornado? Tornadoes form when warm, humid air collides with cool, dry air. The cold air, which is more dense, is pushed over the warm air- this usually produces thunderstorms. thunderstorms The warm air rises through the colder air and this causes an updraft.updraft. If winds vary sharply in speed, the updraft will begin to rotate. This rotating updraft is called a mesocyclone (also known as a supercell thunderstorm). mesocyclone

As the mesocyclone brings in more warm air from the moving thunderstorm, the rotation speed becomes faster. Cool air from the jet stream, a strong band of wind in the atmosphere, creates even more energy.jet stream Click here and CAUSE YOUR OWN TORNADO. Water droplets from the mesocyclone’s moist air form a funnel cloud. The funnel cloud continues to grow and descends from the cloud. When the funnel reaches the ground, it becomes a Tornado.

Click below to watch a short video!

How are Tornadoes Forecasted? Doppler radar records wind speeds and identifies areas of rotation within thunderstorms. This is how Tornado Watches and Tornado Warnings are issued. Storm Chasers are researchers who follow storms during tornado season and place sensors in tornadoes’ paths. These sensors measure wind speed, barometric pressure, humidity and temperature. Meteorologists at the U.S. National Weather Service use Doppler radar, weather balloons, satellites, and computer modeling to watch for severe storms or tornadoes.

Listen for a… Tornado Watch- This means that tornadoes are possible. You should stay alert for approaching storms, watch the sky, and stay tuned to radio or television weather alerts. Tornado Warning- A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. You should take shelter immediately.

Be Aware of Danger Signs Dark, often greenish sky Large Hail Large, dark, low- lying cloud (especially if it is rotating) Loud roar, similar to a freight train

What should you do if you have been issued a Tornado Warning?

If a Tornado Warning is issued, take shelter IMMEDIATELY! If you are already in a house: Get to a safe room (basement, cellar). You want to get to the lowest level of the house. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level of the house. Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. DO NOT open windows.

Get out immediately and go to the lowest level of the nearest building or shelter home. Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression with your hands over your head. Watch out for flooding. DO NOT get under an overpass or bridge. Most times, debris is collected in this area and you are always safest in a low, flat location. Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris is the cause of most deaths and injuries. If you are in a vehicle or mobile home: If you are outside with no shelter:

The Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into differing intensities based on their estimated wind speed. This is done by assessing the damage of the Tornado EF-0. Light damage Wind 65 to 85 mph. Causes some damage to siding and shingles EF-1. Moderate damage Wind 86 to 110 mph. Considerable roof damage. Winds can uproot trees and overturn single-wide mobile homes. Flagpoles bend. EF-2. Considerable damage Wind 111 to 135 mph. Most single-wide mobile homes destroyed. Permanent homes can shift off foundation. Flagpoles collapse. Softwood trees debarked. EF-3. Severe damage Wind 136 to 165 mph. Hardwood trees debarked. All but small portions of houses destroyed. EF-4. Devastating damage Wind 166 to 200 mph. Complete destruction of well-built residences, large sections of school buildings. EF-5. Incredible damage Wind above 200 mph. Significant structural deformation of mid- and high-rise buildings. The Enhanced Fujita Scale

Group Science Activity Building Your own Tornadoes Click here for directions The science activity for today will be to create your own water vortex in your regular science groups. A vortex works with water a lot like a tornado works with air.

Test your Knowledge with Tornado Jeopardy Basic FactsFormationWarnings/Safety

For more information on tornadoes, visit the links below The Online Tornado Museum- The Online Tornado Museum- Here, you can learn about previous tornadoes and the damage they caused. Building a Safe House- Building a Safe House- Visit this site if you would like to see how you can build your very own safe room. Brain Pop- Brain Pop- Learn information and watch a movie about tornadoes and other storms. Web Weather- Web Weather- A fun site where you can learn about weather and play games too!

What is a waterspout? A tornado that forms over water Click Back to Game Board

What is the Fujita Scale? The scale used to measure a tornado Click Back to Game Board

What is Tornado Alley? This area has the highest risk for tornadoes Click Back to Game Board

What is 300 mph? Tornado winds can reach as high as this speed Click Back to Game Board

What is 1000? Average number of tornadoes occurrences in the US each year Click Back to Game Board

What is a tornado? A violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground Click Back to Game Board

What is a thunderstorm? A tornado is usually spawned from this Click Back to Game Board

What are March through May? In the south, tornadoes are most common during these months Click Back to Game Board

What is southwest to northeast? Tornadoes usually move in this direction Click Back to Game Board

What is mesocyclone? This word refers to a supercell thunderstorm Click Back to Game Board

What is a tornado warning? Issued when tornadoes have been spotted in your area Click Back to Game Board

What is a tornado watch? Issued when tornadoes are possible in your area Click Back to Game Board

What is lie down flat in a ditch? What you should do if you are outside, without shelter, during a tornado Click Back to Game Board

What is hail? A form of precipitation that can be a warning of a tornado Click Back to Game Board

What is flying debris? This is responsible for the most injuries and deaths during a tornado Click Back to Game Board