Although Tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, these destructive forces of nature are found most frequently in the United States. In an average year 800 Tornadoes are reported in the states. Some countries have more that others. Italy has about 10 per year where as England has as many as 60. A Tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air exstending from a thundestorm to the ground.
What Causes Tornadoes???
Thunderstroms develop in warm, moist air in advance of eastward-moving cold fronts. These thunderstorms often produce large hail, strong winds and tornadoes. Tornadoes in the winter and early spring are often associated withstrong, frontal systems that form in the Centeral States and move east. Ocasionally large outbreaks of Tornadoes from in this weather. Several states may be affected by numerous severe thunder storms and tornadoes. During the spring in the Centeral Plains, thunderstorms develop along a
How do Tornadoes Form??? and Keeping Safe in a Tornado
1. Before Thunderstorms, a change in wind direction and an increase in wind speed with increasing height creates a horizontal spinning effect.
2. Rushing air within the thunderstorm updraft tilts the rotating air from horizontal to vertical.
3. An area of rotation, 2-6 mile wide, now exstends through much of the storm. Most strong and violent tornadoes form within this area of strong rotation.
4. A lowere cloud base identifies an area of rotation known as a rotating wall cloud. This area is often nearly rain-free.
5. Moments ater a strong tornado develops in this area. Golf ball size hail and damaging straight-line winds occur within this storm.
KEEPING SAFE IN A TORNADO
If you see or here a Tornado warning then this is what you sould do:-
1. If you have a storm cellar then go there or go into your basement.
2. If you do not have either of the above then go into an interior room of your house and lay down on the ground covering your head with your arms for flying debrie.
3. If you are in a car then do not try and out run the Tornado. get out your vehicle and then go into a nearby ditch or depresion covering your head for flying debrie.
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EARTHWATCH This is an American weather page with storm warnings and watches.