Podcast
Questions and Answers
During which months is tornado activity typically highest in the United States?
During which months is tornado activity typically highest in the United States?
- March to July (correct)
- November to December
- January to February
- August to October
What is the name of the region in the U.S. most susceptible to tornadoes?
What is the name of the region in the U.S. most susceptible to tornadoes?
- Hurricane Coast
- Monsoon Plains
- Earthquake Zone
- Tornado Alley (correct)
In April 2024, approximately how many tornadoes were reported across the United States?
In April 2024, approximately how many tornadoes were reported across the United States?
- Exactly 200
- Over 300 (correct)
- Around 50
- Less than 100
Which state had 30 tornadoes reported during the April 25-28, 2024 outbreak?
Which state had 30 tornadoes reported during the April 25-28, 2024 outbreak?
What was the EF rating of the tornado that struck Marietta, Oklahoma?
What was the EF rating of the tornado that struck Marietta, Oklahoma?
How many homes were destroyed in Minden, Iowa, by the April 26, 2024, tornado?
How many homes were destroyed in Minden, Iowa, by the April 26, 2024, tornado?
In May 2024, which city was struck by three different tornadoes?
In May 2024, which city was struck by three different tornadoes?
As of May 7, which year had the record number of tornadoes in the U.S.?
As of May 7, which year had the record number of tornadoes in the U.S.?
What is a tornado described as?
What is a tornado described as?
What type of storm is required for a tornado to form?
What type of storm is required for a tornado to form?
What causes a supercell storm to rotate?
What causes a supercell storm to rotate?
What creates the low-pressure area in a tornado funnel?
What creates the low-pressure area in a tornado funnel?
Which country experiences the most tornadoes annually?
Which country experiences the most tornadoes annually?
Which geographic feature does NOT contribute to the formation of Tornado Alley?
Which geographic feature does NOT contribute to the formation of Tornado Alley?
What is the primary factor that makes "Tornado Alley" prone to tornadoes?
What is the primary factor that makes "Tornado Alley" prone to tornadoes?
What is the average duration of an ordinary thunderstorm?
What is the average duration of an ordinary thunderstorm?
What is the typical wind speed range for an EF-4 tornado?
What is the typical wind speed range for an EF-4 tornado?
Which of these states is NOT located in "Tornado Alley"?
Which of these states is NOT located in "Tornado Alley"?
How does a tornado form when cold, dry polar air meets warm, moist tropical air?
How does a tornado form when cold, dry polar air meets warm, moist tropical air?
What is one reason why the 2024 US tornado season is on track to be one of the most active in history?
What is one reason why the 2024 US tornado season is on track to be one of the most active in history?
What happens as warm air rises inside a supercell storm?
What happens as warm air rises inside a supercell storm?
What does the low-pressure area inside a tornado funnel do?
What does the low-pressure area inside a tornado funnel do?
Which state suffered significant damage in May of 2024, including downed trees and utility poles?
Which state suffered significant damage in May of 2024, including downed trees and utility poles?
A hospital was leveled in which city due to a tornado?
A hospital was leveled in which city due to a tornado?
The number of tornadoes in May 2024 was mostly clustered around which of the following states?
The number of tornadoes in May 2024 was mostly clustered around which of the following states?
What is the role of cold, dry polar air in the formation of supercells?
What is the role of cold, dry polar air in the formation of supercells?
Approximately how many structures were damaged in Minden, Iowa, after the tornado on April 26, 2024?
Approximately how many structures were damaged in Minden, Iowa, after the tornado on April 26, 2024?
Which of the following is a direct cause of increased tornado activity?
Which of the following is a direct cause of increased tornado activity?
Which factor contributes to powerful storms that frequently turn into deadly tornadoes?
Which factor contributes to powerful storms that frequently turn into deadly tornadoes?
Flashcards
Tornado Alley
Tornado Alley
A region in the US most susceptible to tornadoes, including parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, and Ohio.
Tornado
Tornado
A powerful rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground.
Supercells
Supercells
Severe rotating thunderstorms that can spawn tornadoes, formed when cold, dry polar air meets warm, moist tropical air.
April Tornado Average
April Tornado Average
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Marietta, Oklahoma EF-4 Tornado
Marietta, Oklahoma EF-4 Tornado
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Minden, Iowa Tornado
Minden, Iowa Tornado
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Tallahassee Tornadoes
Tallahassee Tornadoes
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2011 Tornado Record
2011 Tornado Record
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Study Notes
- Tornadoes are most active in the US from March to July but can occur year-round.
- A region known as "Tornado Alley" is the most susceptible to tornadoes.
- Tornado Alley includes parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, and Ohio.
- Tornado activity typically increases in April, with an average of about 182 tornadoes.
- In April 2024, over 300 tornadoes were reported across the US.
- About 100 tornadoes occurred between April 25 and 28, 2024.
- On April 27, 2024, an EF-4 tornado struck Marietta, Oklahoma, with winds between 166 mph (267 km/h) and 200 mph (320 km/h).
- The tornado in Marietta, Oklahoma killed one person and leveled several structures, including a hospital and a nursing home.
- On April 26, 2024, a powerful storm ripped through Minden, Iowa, destroying 48 homes and damaging over 300 structures.
- As of May 12, 2024, at least 133 tornadoes have been reported across the US.
- Tornadoes have surfaced as far south as Florida.
- On May 10, 2024, Tallahassee, Florida, was struck by three different tornadoes, which damaged buildings and downed trees and utility poles.
- The number of tornadoes in 2024 is above average but still far from the record set in 2011.
- By May 7, 2011, 1,287 tornadoes had struck the US.
Tornado Formation
- A tornado is a rotating column of air that starts at the base of a thunderstorm cloud and extends to the ground.
- Tornadoes form during severe rotating storms called supercells.
- Supercells occur when cold, dry polar air meets warm, moist tropical air.
- Winds around the storm cause it to rotate and form a funnel as warm air rises.
- The spinning funnel creates a low-pressure area that sucks in more air and objects.
- Ordinary thunderstorms last 30 to 60 minutes, supercells can last for hours.
Tornado Occurrence
- The US experiences the most tornadoes, with about 1,200 touching down annually.
- Tornado Alley is prone to tornadoes due to the intersection of dry air from the Rocky Mountains, warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico, and cold Arctic air from the north.
- The combination of air generates conditions to spawn storms that frequently turn into deadly tornadoes.
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