All About Tornadoes

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground.

Scientists aren't completely sure on how or why tornadoes occur, but they have strong theories.

Their theory

• Wind at different altitudes blow at different speeds
• Faster spinning creates a funnel cloud
• Funnel cloud rotates
• It touches down on the ground

What's it made of?

• Wind
• Water
• Droplets
• Dust
• Debris

What can come with a tornado?

• These are not guaranteed to occur
• Hail
• Rain
• Lightning
• Winds between 65 and 300mph

Worst since I was born

• Joplin, Missouri
• May 22, 2011
• 158 deaths
• Over 1,000 injuries
• 200 mph

In-state since I was born

• Myrtle Beach Tornadoes
• July 6, 2001
• 39 injuries

Other terrible tornadoes

The Tri-State Tornado

• March 18, 1925
• Hit Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana
• 695 deaths and 13,000 injuries
• $17 million property damage
• 220 mph

Natchez, MS

• May 6, 1840
• 317 deaths

Forecasters look for...

• Moisture
• Wind shear
• Temperature patterns
• Wind flow patterns

Animals sensing tornadoes

• Frogs croak louder than usual
• Birds tend to fly low
• Sheep crowd together

Tornado sirens are used to warn people. A steady 3-5 minute siren means to take shelter immediately.

Environmental Effects

• Kills animals (affects food chain)
• Destroys buildings
• Destroys farms (food shortages)
• Destroys trees
• Water contamination

Tornado Strength (F-Scale)

Works Cited 1

• www.nssl.noaa.gov
• www.eo.ucar.edu
• www.spc.noaa.gov
• www.srh.noaa.gov
• www.cnn.com

Works Cited 2

• en.wikipedia.org
• www.weather.about.com
• www.history.com
• www.devanmoura.com
• www.ou.edu