A tornado is one of nature's most powerful and frightening storms. It looks like a huge, spinning tube of air that drops down from a dark thunderstorm cloud and touches the ground. Because the wind itself is invisible, we usually see a tornado only when it collects dust, water droplets, and debris, forming a visible funnel cloud. These storms are sometimes called "twisters" and they are known for having the fastest winds on Earth, sometimes spinning at over 300 miles per hour (480 km/h).
Tornadoes usually begin inside the strongest type of storm, called a supercell. To form a tornado, two things are necessary: warm, wet air near the ground and cool, dry air above it. When these different air masses meet, the atmosphere becomes unstable. Winds at different heights blow in different directions, creating a horizontal (sideways) tube of air that starts rolling. The storm's strong updraft (rising air) then pulls this spinning tube upward, tilting it vertically. As the rotation gets faster and tighter, it stretches down toward the ground. When this rotating column connects with the surface, a tornado is born.
These powerful twisters can cause massive destruction in seconds. They can lift cars, destroy homes, and turn small objects into dangerous flying missiles. Scientists use the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale to measure a tornado's strength based on the damage it leaves behind. Even though they are unpredictable, modern radar systems and meteorologists can issue warnings. When a Tornado Warning is given, it is critical to move immediately to a safe shelter, like a basement or a small, windowless interior room on the lowest floor.
Tornadoes show us the extreme power of weather. While they are terrifying, understanding how they form and knowing your safety plan is the best way to stay secure during a storm.
