Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms

Subject: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:24 pm

This is not exactly a guide, So I did not think it would go the guide section, so I put it here.. I hope it the right spot! Well actually, it is a guide! But then again its not about graphics or RPing or Warriors, its about tornadoes, so ya! ^^

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms
Here is my chance to blurt this out-- I am a tornado freak! Yay! But really. tornadoes are one of my favorite things to study, look at pictures, read, watch movies about them, ext. Some people think there just scary big storms, but really, there are very interesting! But of course people would be scared of them. I mean, they could injure, or kill a person, ripe a house or tree out of the ground, but still, I love them! So I put a little sort of guide about tornadoes for you all, even if you hate Tornadoes, or just don't have any interested in them, here's a little guide thing anyway about them!
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Tornado!
Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic1

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic1

Although tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, these destructive forces of nature are found most frequently in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains during the spring and summer months. In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide, resulting in 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Once a tornado in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, carried a motel sign 30 miles and dropped it in Arkansas!

What causes tornadoes?
Thunderstorms develop in warm, moist air in advance of eastward-moving cold fronts. These thunderstorms often produce large hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. Tornadoes in the winter and early spring are often associated with strong, frontal systems that form in the Central States and move east. Occasionally, large outbreaks of tornadoes occur with this type of weather pattern. Several states may be affected by numerous severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

During the spring in the Central Plains, thunderstorms frequently develop along a "dryline," which separates very warm, moist air to the east from hot, dry air to the west. Tornado-producing thunderstorms may form as the dryline moves east during the afternoon hours.

Along the front range of the Rocky Mountains, in the Texas panhandle, and in the southern High Plains, thunderstorms frequently form as air near the ground flows "upslope" toward higher terrain. If other favorable conditions exist, these thunderstorms can produce tornadoes.

Tornadoes occasionally accompany tropical storms and hurricanes that move over land. Tornadoes are most common to the right and ahead of the path of the storm center as it comes onshore.

Tornado Variations
Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic2

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic2

-Some tornadoes may form during the early stages of rapidly developing thunderstorms. This type of tornado is most common along the front range of the Rocky Mountains, the Plains, and the Western States.
-Tornadoes may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up.
Occasionally, two or more tornadoes may occur at the same time.

Waterspout
Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic3

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic3

-Waterspouts are weak tornadoes that form over warm water.
-Waterspouts are most common along the Gulf Coast and southeastern states. In the western United States, they occur with cold late fall or late winter storms, during a time when you least expect tornado development.
-Waterspouts occasionally move inland becoming tornadoes causing damage and injuries.

How Do Tornadoes Form?
Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic4

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic4

Before thunderstorms develop, a change in wind direction and an increase in wind speed with increasing height creates an invisible, horizontal spinning effect in the lower atmosphere.

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic5

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic5

Rising air within the thunderstorm updraft tilts the rotating air from horizontal to vertical.

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic6

An area of rotation, 2-6 miles wide, now extends through much of the storm. Most strong and violent tornadoes form within this area of strong rotation.

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic7

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic7

A lower cloud base in the center of the photograph identifies an area of rotation known as a rotating wall cloud. This area is often nearly rain-free. Note rain in the background.

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic8

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic8

Moments later a strong tornado develops in this area. Softball-size hail and damaging "straight-line" winds also occurred with this storm.

Tornadoes Take Many Shapes and Sizes
Weak Tornadoes
Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic9a

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic9a

-69% of all tornadoes
-Less than 5% of tornado deaths
-Lifetime 1-10+ minutes
-Winds less than 110 mph

Strong Tornadoes
Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic9b

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic9b

-29% of all tornadoes
-Nearly 30% of all tornado deaths
May last 20 minutes or longer
Winds 110-205 mph

Violent Tornadoes
Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic9c

Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Pic9c

-Only 2% of all tornadoes
-70% of all tornado deaths
-Lifetime can exceed 1 hour

Tornado Myths:
MYTH: Areas near rivers, lakes, and mountains are safe from tornadoes.
FACT: No place is safe from tornadoes. In the late 1980's, a tornado swept through Yellowstone National Park leaving a path of destruction up and down a 10,000 ft. mountain.

MYTH: The low pressure with a tornado causes buildings to "explode" as the tornado passes overhead.
FACT: Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings cause most structural damage.

MYTH: Windows should be opened before a tornado approaches to equalize pressure and minimize damage.
FACT: Opening windows allows damaging winds to enter the structure. Leave the windows alone; instead, immediately go to a safe place.

Thank-you for viewing, and reading! If you have any questions about tornadoes, or would like me to make any other guide about any other storm, feel free to ask me! Thanks again!

The one & Only, -puppy-

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:38 pm

Wow! That was extremely interesting! ^_^
We just had a tornado warning yesterday here in MI. Only damage I heard about was to a gas station...
Note to self: bookmark page if I ever have to write a report on tornadoes... useful info...

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:21 pm

Thank you! I'm glade this was useful.
We had a tornado watch yesterday! It was kinda creepy. ^^

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:21 am

wow, thats GREAT!! i can use this for school if ever needed. THanks!!

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:53 am

You are so welcome! Again, I'm so glade that this is helpful!

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:44 am

Whoa...I don't wanna see that Violent Tornado Picture ever again... :pale:

But anyways, great job! Did you copy and paste it? Because it would've been hard for you to type all those states in the US. I read the whole thing, but the most interesting picture was the Waterspout, and the most interesting fact was *Scrolls Back up* was that the *Scrolls back up since forgot* was how the air actually forms, and gets swooped up and forms a tornado! Great job, Mod!

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:45 pm

I know! Scary.

Heh, Yeah, I pasted most of it, from a very good site. It was fun to put the colors, adding the pics, ext, though! ^^

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:51 pm

That was so handy! And Michigan keeps having storms, some very violent. I hope we don't have a Tornadoe anywhere over here! Though there has been many warnings...Gah!Again, Nifty!

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Thanks!

You chnaged your username.. Why?

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:04 pm

I did'nt...When Sparkle went to give me a mod plate/lable like yours, which she originally forgot, she decided to pull a little prank on me. I'm waiting for her to change it back now...lol

Also, did you see her new site, Warriors of Nature?Check it out, it's awsome, and I would like it if you joined...not many people are on...^^

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:08 pm

Ohhh Lol! You know.. You could allways go to your profile and change it..

Yes I did see it! It very pretty.. I might join when i have more time! :)

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:11 pm

Oh I did'nt see that..that darn Sparkle! thanks!

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:16 pm

Your welcome! :rotfl:

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:26 pm

Alleycat, you are back to yuorself

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Sun Jun 15, 2008 4:18 pm

Yeah.. No more Im hacking you! :P

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:29 pm

Been there done that at my house! I hate Tornadoes!

Subject: Re: Tornadoes.. Nature's Most Violent Storms Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:04 pm

Really? Wowzy.

One Special Member! Posts : 5157 Join date : 2008-03-25

Ooooooooooh. It' so weird, where I live we call it a 'storm bubble.' I have never been in a tornado before, one was close, but of course, it died.