Tornados

Nature’s Deadliest Weapon

TORNADO WATCH - Tornadoes are possible in your area. Stay tuned to the radio or television news.

TORNADO WARNING - A tornado is either on the ground or has been detected by Doppler radar. Seek shelter immediately!

What is a tornado

A tornado is a violent rotating column of air

It goes from a thunderstorm to the ground.

They are very dangerous.

www.americaslibrary.gov/es/ks/es_ks_tornado_1...

What can they do?

They can destroy large buildings, uproot trees and hurl vehicles hundreds of yards.

They can also drive straw into trees.

Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide to 50 miles long.

www.thunderstorm.co.nz/Greymouth%20Tornado.htm

How do tornadoes form?

Most tornadoes form from thunderstorms.

You need warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cool, dry air from Canada. When these two air masses meet, they create instability in the atmosphere.

www.weatherwizkids.com/tornado.htm

When do tornadoes happen?

Tornadoes can happen at any time of the year and at any time of the day.

In the south, tornado season is from March through May.

In the north, tornado season is during the summer.

Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Where do tornadoes happen?http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/primer/tornado/images/tor_alley_lg.gif

The central part

of the United

States, is where

more than 500

tornadoes occur

every year. It is

commonly known

as "Tornado Alley".

What are the different types of tornadoes?

Waterspout Dust Devil Gustnadoes Supercell Tornadoes Landspouts

Waterspout

Rotating wind that forms a tunnel over water.

Sometimes moves to land.

Winds up to 200 mph Can reach up to 10,000

feet

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Dust Devil

Swirls of hot air that move upward.

Commonly found in the desert

Top wind speeds up to 60 mph

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Gustnadoes

Weak funnels that are not connected to clouds

Often come with thudnerstorms

Can be mistaken for tornadoes because of debris

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Supercell Tornado

Largest and most dangerous tornado

Spin under rotating storms Winds up to 300 mph Can be up to a mile wide Can last for several hours

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Landspouts

Form on land under cumulus clouds

Winds up to 140 mph Last from 10-15 minutes

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Fujita Scale of Tornadoes

F0: 40-72 mph, Branches broken off trees; minor roof damage

F1: 73-112, Trees snapped; mobile home pushed off foundations; roofs damaged

F2: 113-157 mph, Mobile homes demolished; trees uprooted; strong built homes unroofed

F3: 158-206 mph, Trains overturned; cars lifted off the ground; strong built homes have outside walls blown away

F4: 207-260 mph, Houses leveled leaving piles of debris; cars thrown 300 yards or more in the air

F5: 261-318 mph, Strongly built homes completely blown away; automobile-sized missiles generated

Before a Tornado

Have a disaster plan ready Make sure everyone knows

where to go Prepare a disaster supply kit:

Include a first aid kit, canned food, a can opener, bottled water, battery-operated radio, flashlight, protective clothing and written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water.

During Tornado

Go to a basement or an interior room like a bathroom. Make sure there are no windows.

Get under a sturdy piece of furniture like a table or a desk.

If you live in a mobile home, get out.

Never try to outrun a tornado in your car. Leave it immediately.

After Tornado

Stay indoors until it is safe to come out.

Check for injured or trapped people, without putting yourself in danger.

Watch out for downed power lines.

Use a flashlight to inspect your home.

At School

Students should go to the basement. Schools without basements should use interior rooms and hallways on the lowest floor away from windows.

Crouch down on your knees and protect your head with your arms.