Post by SOL Owner on Nov 28, 2013 8:20:58 GMT -6
What is a Tornado?
A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Some tornadoes are clearly visible, while rain or nearby low-hanging clouds obscure others. Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that little, if any, advance warning is possible.
Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still. A cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible. Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.
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Tornadoes cause an average of 70 fatalities and 1,500 injuries in the U.S. each year.
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The strongest tornadoes have rotating winds of more than 250 mph.
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Tornadoes can be one mile wide and stay on the ground over 50 miles.
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Tornadoes may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms within the funnel.
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The average forward speed is 30 mph but may vary from nearly stationary to 70 mph.
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Waterspouts are tornadoes which form over warm water. They can move onshore and cause damage to coastal areas
and here's a link to a site that tells more about them..
stormaware.mo.gov/tornado-facts-history/
A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Some tornadoes are clearly visible, while rain or nearby low-hanging clouds obscure others. Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that little, if any, advance warning is possible.
Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still. A cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible. Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.
•
Tornadoes cause an average of 70 fatalities and 1,500 injuries in the U.S. each year.
•
The strongest tornadoes have rotating winds of more than 250 mph.
•
Tornadoes can be one mile wide and stay on the ground over 50 miles.
•
Tornadoes may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms within the funnel.
•
The average forward speed is 30 mph but may vary from nearly stationary to 70 mph.
•
Waterspouts are tornadoes which form over warm water. They can move onshore and cause damage to coastal areas
and here's a link to a site that tells more about them..
stormaware.mo.gov/tornado-facts-history/