TORNADO FACTS

A tornado is a meteorological phenomenon characterized by a twisting, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the Earth's surface, and it possesses swirling winds that can reach speeds of up to 300 miles per hour or more. The destructive paths left in their wake can span over a mile in width and stretch up to 50 miles in length. While some tornadoes are readily visible, others remain concealed by rain or nearby low-hanging clouds. In certain instances, tornadoes can develop so rapidly that they provide little, if any, advance warning to those in their path.

Indicators of Danger

-An ominous, often greenish sky.

-Large hail.

-The presence of a large, dark, low-lying cloud, particularly if it exhibits a rotating motion.

-A deafening roar resembling that of a freight train.

Before a tornado strikes, the wind may abruptly calm, and the atmosphere can become eerily still. Even when a visible funnel is absent, a cloud of debris may serve as an indicator of a tornado's location. These destructive forces typically manifest near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. Strikingly, it's not uncommon to observe clear, sunlit skies just beyond the path of a tornado.

Tornadoes exact a significant toll in the United States, resulting in an average of 70 fatalities and 1,500 injuries annually. The most potent tornadoes exhibit rotating winds exceeding 250 mph, while their dimensions can exceed one mile in width, persisting on the ground for distances greater than 50 miles. Tornadoes may initially appear almost transparent until they accumulate dust, debris, or form a visible cloud within the funnel. Their average forward speed is approximately 30 mph but can vary from nearly stationary to as fast as 70 mph. Waterspouts, a variant of tornadoes, originate over warm water bodies and can migrate onto the coast, inflicting damage to coastal areas.

Tornadoes, on average, tend to move in a southwest-to-northeast direction but may exhibit any directional movement. The moniker "Tornado Alley" designates a region within the southern plains of the central U.S. known for experiencing a high frequency of tornadoes annually. Tornadoes in this area are most common in late spring and occasionally early fall.

Tornadoes can strike swiftly, offering minimal or no advanced warning.

They can accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as these systems make landfall.

The peak tornado season varies by region, with southern states experiencing it between March and May, while northern states typically encounter it in late spring through early summer.

Tornadoes are most likely to materialize between 3 pm and 9 pm, although they can occur at any time of the day or night.

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