Tornadoes

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Questions and Answers

What is a tornado?

A large thunderstorm with winds already in rotation

A type of tropical storm with wind speeds of up to 250 miles per hour

A column of violently rotating air formed during thunderstorms (correct)

A type of cyclone that occurs in Tornado Alley

Where are tornadoes most likely to occur?

Southern Canada and Tornado Alley (correct)

Southern Canada and Florida

Northern Texas and eastern Colorado

South Dakota and Nebraska

What is a supercell?

A thunderstorm with a single updraft of hot air

A type of cyclone that forms during late spring and summer

A large thunderstorm in which winds are already in rotation (correct)

A tropical storm with wind speeds of up to 250 miles per hour

What does the term 'tornado' mean in Spanish?

To turn Signup and view all the answers

How many instances of tornadoes does the United States experience each year?

More than 1,200 Signup and view all the answers

When are the majority of tornadoes likely to form?

Late spring and summer Signup and view all the answers

What is the statistical likelihood of a supercell producing a tornado?

Approximately 20% of the time Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that leads to the formation of a tornado?

Horizontal wind shear and updrafts in a severe thunderstorm Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of an updraft in the formation of a tornado?

Lifts the column of air and pulls in more warm air Signup and view all the answers

What technology do meteorologists use to look for hook echoes indicative of a supercell, providing warnings of an approaching tornado?

Doppler radar technology Signup and view all the answers

How are tornadoes categorized by meteorologists?

Using the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which assesses damage indicators and wind speeds Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of stormchasers in relation to tornadoes?

To measure the factors involved in tornado formation using special equipment and weather balloons Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between the Fujita-Pearson (FPP) scale and the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale?

The EF Scale incorporates additional factors related to damage indicators and degrees of damage to better reflect the wind speeds associated with a specific tornado Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the National Weather Service in evaluating tornado damage?

To examine the impacted area for signs of damage, assign wind speed, and determine the path of the tornado Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary impact of a tornado's path length on its level of destruction?

As path length increases, there is a concomitant increase in expected intensity Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Tornado Basics

A tornado is a rotating column of air that descends from a thunderstorm to the ground, causing damage.
Tornadoes are most likely to occur in areas known as "Tornado Alley" in the central United States.

Supercells

A supercell is a type of thunderstorm that is characterized by a rotating, towering column of air known as a mesocyclone.
The term "tornado" translates to "tornillo" in Spanish.

Tornado Frequency and Timing

The United States experiences an average of 1,200 instances of tornadoes each year.
The majority of tornadoes are likely to form during the spring and summer months.

Tornado Formation and Detection

The primary factor that leads to the formation of a tornado is the presence of warm, moist air near the surface and cooler air above.
An updraft plays a crucial role in the formation of a tornado, as it allows warm air to rise and cool air to sink, creating rotation.
Meteorologists use Doppler radar technology to look for hook echoes indicative of a supercell, providing warnings of an approaching tornado.

Tornado Classification and Stormchasers

Tornadoes are categorized by meteorologists based on their wind speed, ranging from EF0 (light damage) to EF5 (incredible damage).
The primary purpose of stormchasers is to gather data and footage of tornadoes, which helps improve tornado forecasting and warning systems.

Tornado Scales and Damage Evaluation

The primary difference between the Fujita-Pearson (FPP) scale and the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale is that the EF scale takes into account more variables, such as wind speed and area affected.
The National Weather Service is responsible for evaluating tornado damage and assigning a rating based on the EF scale.
A tornado's path length has a significant impact on its level of destruction, as longer paths tend to cause more widespread damage.

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Description

Test your knowledge of tornadoes with this quiz! Learn about the formation, characteristics, and impacts of these powerful and destructive weather phenomena.