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Tornadoes

✨ The Giant Swirl

A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm cloud toward the ground. It forms when specific atmospheric conditions bring together warm, humid air near the surface and colder, drier air higher in the atmosphere. Differences in wind speed and direction at different heights can create a horizontal rotation of air.

Strong rising currents inside a developing thunderstorm can then tilt this rotation vertically, forming a spinning column. When this rotating air reaches the ground, it becomes a tornado. Although tornadoes are usually narrow compared with hurricanes, they can produce extremely powerful winds concentrated over a small area.

Their size, duration and strength vary greatly, and many last only a few minutes, while stronger ones can persist longer and travel several kilometers. Tornadoes can occur in many parts of the world, but they are especially frequent in regions where warm and cold air masses often meet, such as parts of the central United States. They are commonly associated with powerful thunderstorms called supercells, although not every supercell produces a tornado.

These storms can damage buildings, uproot trees and send debris flying through the air. Meteorologists use weather radar, satellites and observations from the ground to monitor conditions that may lead to tornado formation. Because tornadoes can develop quickly, early warning systems are essential for protecting populations. During a tornado, the safest place is usually an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows.

💡 Did you know?

Did you know that a tornado's strength is measured by a scale called 'Fujita'? The smallest ones (F0) only break tree branches, but the most monstrous ones (F5) are capable of lifting cars and even entire houses to spit them out further away! Fortunately, these monsters are very rare and most tornadoes just pass by quickly.

There are tornadoes that don't form on land, but on water! They are called 'waterspouts'. They look like magnificent columns of water and fog connecting clouds to the sea. Sailors often observe them from afar. They are often less dangerous than land tornadoes, but it's a truly magical and mysterious sight.

In the United States, there's a region called 'Tornado Alley' because it's where they appear most often in the world. People who live there have special shelters under their houses. There are even 'tornado chasers', slightly crazy scientists who pursue them by car to set up sensors and better understand how they work!