Tornado Awareness

Tornadoes

Tornadoes are relatively short-lived local storms. They are composed of violently rotating columns of air that descend in the familiar funnel shape from thunderstorm cloud systems. The weather conditions that tend to generate tornadoes are unseasonably warm and humid earth surface air, cold air at middle atmospheric levels and strong upper-level jet stream winds.

Where & When Tornadoes Occur

Tornadoes can occur anywhere in the United States during any month of the year. However, the Great Plains and Gulf Coast States experience the largest number of tornadoes. The greatest frequency of tornadoes occur in April, May and June.

Behaviors

The destructive path of a tornado averages about 250 yards in width and 15 miles in length. In extreme conditions, a tornado may travel more than 300 miles and leave a path of total destruction more than a mile wide. Tornadoes will travel up to 60 mph with wind speeds approaching 400 mph within the tornado's center. Tornadoes usually travel from a westerly direction to an easterly direction.

Signs & Warnings

Tornadoes develop during severe thunderstorms. While not all thunderstorms create tornadoes, the potential is there. During violent weather keep tuned to a local television or radio station for tornado reports.

If you are outside and see a funnel-shaped cloud with obvious rotating motion, it may be a tornado. As a tornado develops, it will produce a loud roar that grows louder as the funnel cloud touches the ground. When nearby, a tornado has a loud sound comparable to the combined roars of several jet engines.

Tornado Watches & Warnings

The National Severe Storms Forecast Center in Norman Oklahoma issues tornado watches. Local National Weather Service offices issue tornado warnings. Local Emergency Management officials may sound sirens during a tornado warning.

A tornado watch indicates that conditions are right for a tornado to develop and the sky should be watched.

A tornado warning indicates a tornado has been sighted or has been indicated on radar. Warnings will give the location of the tornado and the area immediately affected by the warning.

Contact Us

For more information or presentations on a number of topics contact us at 402-441-7441.