What is Tornado
What is a 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. Tornadoes are often (but not always) visible as a funnel cloud.
Characteristics of a Tornado
Tornadoes come in many shapes and sizes, but they 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.
How Tornadoes Form
The most destructive and deadly tornadoes occur from supercells — which are rotating thunderstorms with a well-defined radar circulation called a mesocyclone. Supercells can produce damaging hail, severe non-tornadic winds, flash floods, and tornadoes.
Tornado formation is believed to be dictated mainly by things which happen on the storm scale, in and around the mesocyclone. Recent theories and results from the VORTEX program suggest that once a mesocyclone is underway, tornado development is related to the temperature differences across the edge of downdraft air wrapping around the mesocyclone.
The Fujita Scale
Tornado intensity can be measured by the Fujita Scale, or more commonly used today, the Enhanced Fujita Scale. These measurement scales range from F0 or EF0, representing minimal damage, to F5 or EF5, representing incredible and devastating damage. The Enhanced Fujita Scale also looks at the extent and type of damage caused by the tornado.
Tornado Safety
If a tornado warning is issued for your area, it's important to take immediate action to protect your life and the lives of those around you. Seek shelter in the lowest level of your home, such as a basement or storm cellar. If one is not available, go to an interior room on the lowest level. Stay away from windows and outside walls.
Conclusion
Tornadoes are a powerful and fascinating natural phenomenon. While they can be incredibly destructive, understanding how tornadoes form and what to do if a tornado is approaching can greatly increase your safety and chances of survival.
In this article, we have seen what tornadoes are, how they form, their characteristics, how their intensity is measured, and some basic safety measures. Understanding these aspects of tornadoes is a crucial first step in becoming more educated about this severe weather phenomenon.