Nature’s Deadliest Weapon Tornados Nature’s Deadliest Weapon

TORNADO WATCH - Tornadoes are possible in your area TORNADO WATCH - Tornadoes are possible in your area. Stay tuned to the radio or television news. TORNADO WARNING - A tornado is either on the ground or has been detected by Doppler radar. Seek shelter immediately!

What is a tornado A tornado is a violent rotating column of air It goes from a thunderstorm to the ground. They are very dangerous. www.americaslibrary.gov/es/ks/es_ks_tornado_1...

What can they do? They can destroy large buildings, uproot trees and hurl vehicles hundreds of yards. They can also drive straw into trees. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide to 50 miles long. www.thunderstorm.co.nz/Greymouth%20Tornado.htm

How do tornadoes form? Most tornadoes form from thunderstorms. You need warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cool, dry air from Canada. When these two air masses meet, they create instability in the atmosphere. www.weatherwizkids.com/tornado.htm

When do tornadoes happen? Tornadoes can happen at any time of the year and at any time of the day. In the south, tornado season is from March through May. In the north, tornado season is during the summer. Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Where do tornadoes happen. http://www. nssl. noaa The central part of the United States, is where more than 500 tornadoes occur every year. It is commonly known as "Tornado Alley".

What are the different types of tornadoes? Waterspout Dust Devil Gustnadoes Supercell Tornadoes Landspouts

Waterspout Rotating wind that forms a tunnel over water. Sometimes moves to land. Winds up to 200 mph Can reach up to 10,000 feet www.jao.com/africa/zaire-up/pic05.html

Dust Devil Swirls of hot air that move upward. Commonly found in the desert Top wind speeds up to 60 mph media.graytvinc.com/images/dust+devil.jpg

Gustnadoes Weak funnels that are not connected to clouds Often come with thudnerstorms Can be mistaken for tornadoes because of debris www.harkphoto.com/05262002.html

Supercell Tornado Largest and most dangerous tornado Spin under rotating storms Winds up to 300 mph Can be up to a mile wide Can last for several hours media.graytvinc.com/images/supercell+tornado.jpg

Landspouts Form on land under cumulus clouds Winds up to 140 mph Last from 10-15 minutes media.graytvinc.com/images/landspout.jpg

Fujita Scale of Tornadoes F0: 40-72 mph, Branches broken off trees; minor roof damage F1: 73-112, Trees snapped; mobile home pushed off foundations; roofs damaged F2: 113-157 mph, Mobile homes demolished; trees uprooted; strong built homes unroofed F3: 158-206 mph, Trains overturned; cars lifted off the ground; strong built homes have outside walls blown away F4: 207-260 mph, Houses leveled leaving piles of debris; cars thrown 300 yards or more in the air F5: 261-318 mph, Strongly built homes completely blown away; automobile-sized missiles generated

Before a Tornado Have a disaster plan ready Make sure everyone knows where to go Prepare a disaster supply kit: Include a first aid kit, canned food, a can opener, bottled water, battery-operated radio, flashlight, protective clothing and written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water.

During Tornado Go to a basement or an interior room like a bathroom. Make sure there are no windows. Get under a sturdy piece of furniture like a table or a desk. If you live in a mobile home, get out. Never try to outrun a tornado in your car. Leave it immediately.

After Tornado Stay indoors until it is safe to come out. Check for injured or trapped people, without putting yourself in danger. Watch out for downed power lines. Use a flashlight to inspect your home.

At School Students should go to the basement. Schools without basements should use interior rooms and hallways on the lowest floor away from windows. Crouch down on your knees and protect your head with your arms.