Tornadoes Terry Forester, Erin Rickert and Kellie Niepokoj

What Are Tornadoes?

The National Weather Service defines a tornado as "a violently rotating column of air pendant from a thunderstorm cloud and touching the ground." The National Weather Service defines a tornado as "a violently rotating column of air pendant from a thunderstorm cloud and touching the ground." This means a Tornado is a spiraling tunnel of air that separates from a thunderstorm and touches the ground This means a Tornado is a spiraling tunnel of air that separates from a thunderstorm and touches the ground

Where Do Tornadoes Form?

Tornadoes can form anywhere but most of them form in the United States in the following states: Tornadoes can form anywhere but most of them form in the United States in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas. This area is known as “Tornado alley” Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas. This area is known as “Tornado alley”

How Tornadoes Form

Step 1 First, two patches of air moving from opposite directions collide, the warm air on the bottom and the cool air on top First, two patches of air moving from opposite directions collide, the warm air on the bottom and the cool air on top

Step 2 Second, as the warm air rises the two patches begin spinning side to side and up and down Second, as the warm air rises the two patches begin spinning side to side and up and down

Step 3 Third, because tornadoes occur during storms, air is already moving around and if the air gets close to the ground and moves up it pulls the already spinning air upwards. This is called an “up-draft” Third, because tornadoes occur during storms, air is already moving around and if the air gets close to the ground and moves up it pulls the already spinning air upwards. This is called an “up-draft”

Make Your Own Tornado!

Materials One-quart glass jar, with lid One-quart glass jar, with lid 3/4 quart of water 3/4 quart of water Two teaspoons liquid dish detergent Two teaspoons liquid dish detergent Two teaspoons of white vinegar Two teaspoons of white vinegar Two drops of blue or green food coloring Two drops of blue or green food coloring

Directions Fill the glass jar with the water. Fill the glass jar with the water. Add the liquid detergent, the vinegar, and the two drops of food coloring. Add the liquid detergent, the vinegar, and the two drops of food coloring. Seal the jar with the lid. Seal the jar with the lid. Hold the jar with both hands, and shake it in a circular motion. Watch the tornado appear Hold the jar with both hands, and shake it in a circular motion. Watch the tornado appear experiments.htm experiments.htm

Tornadoes In Ohio

From there were 7 tornadoes in Montgomery count From there were 7 tornadoes in Montgomery count Texas had 165 Tornadoes from , and is the state with the most tornadoes and Ohio had 19 and is ranked 18 th Texas had 165 Tornadoes from , and is the state with the most tornadoes and Ohio had 19 and is ranked 18 th

Tornado Safety

Before Have a safety plan ready at home and at school in case of a tornado. (There should be directions posted in your classroom to follow if a tornado occurs) Have a safety plan ready at home and at school in case of a tornado. (There should be directions posted in your classroom to follow if a tornado occurs) Have supplies ready at home including: flash light, battery operated radio, extra batteries, blanket, bottled water, etc.. Have supplies ready at home including: flash light, battery operated radio, extra batteries, blanket, bottled water, etc..

During Go to the lowest floor in your house (such as a basement or a cellar) Go to the lowest floor in your house (such as a basement or a cellar) Stay low to the ground, crotch down and put your hands over your head Stay low to the ground, crotch down and put your hands over your head If there is no basement go to a room with no windows or go to the center of the house If there is no basement go to a room with no windows or go to the center of the house Remain calm and listen to battery operated radio Remain calm and listen to battery operated radio

Fun Facts About Tornadoes

Did you know… Did you know… Most tornadoes occur between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Most tornadoes occur between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Most tornadoes in the Northern Hemisphere rotate in a counter- clockwise direction. Most tornadoes in the Southern Hemisphere rotate in a clockwise direction. Most tornadoes in the Northern Hemisphere rotate in a counter- clockwise direction. Most tornadoes in the Southern Hemisphere rotate in a clockwise direction.

More Fun Facts… The average tornado travels at a speed of 25 to 40 mph., but tornadoes can reach speeds up to 70 mph. The average tornado travels at a speed of 25 to 40 mph., but tornadoes can reach speeds up to 70 mph. Tornadoes stay on the ground for an average of four to five minutes; however, a tornado can touch down several times. Tornadoes stay on the ground for an average of four to five minutes; however, a tornado can touch down several times. Tornadoes can reach heights of 60,000 feet. Tornadoes can reach heights of 60,000 feet.

Resources Tornado Safety Tornado Safety Tornado Activity Tornado Activity htm htm htm htm Tornado Fun Facts and Information Tornado Fun Facts and Information Ohio Tornadoes Ohio Tornadoes Inquiry and National Science Education standards Inquiry and National Science Education standards