Tornadoes

=Tornadoes =



What causes tornadoes?
Thunderstorms 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 with strong, frontal systems that form in the Central States and move east. Occasionally, large outbreaks of tornadoes occur with this type of weather pattern. Several states may be affected by numerous severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. During the spring in the Central Plains, thunderstorms frequently develop along a "dryline," which separates very warm, moist air to the east from hot, dry air to the west. Tornado-producing thunderstorms may form as the dryline moves east during the afternoon hours. Along the front range of the Rocky Mountains, in the Texas panhandle, and in the southern High Plains, thunderstorms frequently form as air near the ground flows "upslope" toward higher terrain. If other favorable conditions exist, these thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Tornadoes occasionally accompany tropical storms and hurricanes that move over land. Tornadoes are most common to the right and ahead of the path of the storm center as it comes onshore.

Tornado Variations

 * Some tornadoes may form during the early stages of rapidly developing thunderstorms. This type of tornado is most common along the front range of the Rocky Mountains, the Plains, and the Western States.
 * Tornadoes may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up.
 * Occasionally, two or more tornadoes may occur at the same time.

Waterspout

 * Waterspouts are weak tornadoes that form over warm water.
 * Waterspouts are most common along the Gulf Coast and southeastern states. In the western United States, they occur with cold late fall or late winter storms, during a time when you least expect tornado development.
 * Waterspouts occasionally move inland becoming tornadoes causing damage and injuries.

How Do Tornadoes Form?
A tornado begins in a severe thunderstorm called a super cell. A super cell can last longer than a regular thunderstorm. The same property that keeps the storm going also produces most tornadoes. The wind coming into the storm starts to swirl and forms a funnel. The air in the funnel spins faster and faster and creates a very low pressure area which sucks more air (and possibly objects) into it.



Instrument Used to measure Tornadoes?
The Fujita Scale is used to rate the intensity of a tornado by examining the damage caused by the tornado after it has passed over a man-made structure. It estimates the wind speeds and classifies tornadoes as very weak or very strong according to the destructive evidence.



Tornado Supply List?

 * A portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries.
 * Flashlight and extra batteries.
 * First aid kit and first aid manual.[[image:quakekare.gif align="right" caption="Supplies "]]
 * Supply of prescription medications.
 * Credit card and cash.
 * Personal identification.
 * An extra set of car keys.
 * Matches in a waterproof container.
 * Signal flare.
 * Map of the area and phone numbers of places you could go.

=Pictures & Videos Of Tornadoes=

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