WHAT IS A TORNADO?

• “A tornado is a violent windstorm characterized by a twisting, funnel shaped cloud traveling from a thunderstorm to the ground.”

Drew, the Meteorologist

says:

Tornadoes are EVIL!

Tornadoes“Wow it is windy!!”

Did you know tornadoes have occurred in every state??

Where does the word “tornado” come from?

The word “tornado” comes from the Spanish verb “tornar” meaning “to turn.”

Come on now! I think this wind is turning me so fast that I might end up in the

Wizard of Oz!

What seasons do tornadoes most often occur in?

What time of the day do most

tornadoes occur at?

Jordyn….I am not sure, maybe Michael

knows.

Well, Jordyn according to

Scientist Moak, they are most likely to occur

between 3:00pm and 9:00pm, especially in

April, May, and June!

Are tornadoes BAD?

Miss Moak is such a

FANTASTIC teacher! I love how she teaches

about severe weather!!

They do cause destruction, but they are also important to the earth’s

weather patterns. A tornado helps let off pressure that builds up in the

atmosphere. In addition, the storms that produce tornadoes often bring

much needed rain.

No more wind PLEASE!

Let’s talk about the 3 types of Tornadoes.

The three types are:

1.Weak

2. Strong

3. Violent

I choose you!

Bradley & Melissa,

I CHOOSE YOU!

What are the Three types of tornadoes again?

How do Scientists decide if a tornado is weak, strong, or violent?

I bet they use a scale like they do for floods!

They do use a scale Shawn!! They use the

Fajita-Pearson Scale of Tornado Intensity.

The scale is measured by intensity. It starts at an F0 which is a Gale tornado only

about 40mph-72mph. The scale extends all the way until an F5

which is an incredible tornado that can lift houses. The winds

speeds are from 261-318mph.

Mr. Campos reviews the scale with us……………Ranges from F0-F5

Weak Tornadoes characterized as F0

Most Violent characterized as F5

Most Tornadoes F0-F1

Massively Destructive F-5, less than 2%

Weak—usually winds spin at 112 miles per hour, they leave behind a path of damage less than three miles long and fifty

miles wide.

Strong—have winds ranging from 113 to 206 miles per hour.

These tornadoes average a path of about nine miles long

and 200 miles wide

Violent—winds ranging from 207 miles per hour and may

last several hours.

Nicky the Meteorologist says:Tornadoes form in the following

sequence:

Cool air pushes against warm air

As the cool air presses forward, it slides underneath the

warm air

The warm air is pushed upward, and water droplets

form

Fast-growing clouds take shape

Me, me! Pick me!

Melissa the Meteorologist says:

Once the thunderhead

forms rising air in the thunderhead can start rotating. The spinning air acts as a vacuum cleaner sucking

the warm air up.

So that’s why my mom doesn’t

want me outside during a

thunderstorm!

Look at that Funnel Cloud

This looks beyond any

severe weather I have ever

seen.

Patrick the Meteorologist says:

The deadliest US tornado on record was on

March 1925. It killed 695 people.

Hannah says:

“OH Patrick! Don’t go scaring the kids

with all your extreme weather

facts!”

Let’s see where in the United States most tornadoes occur.

Waah! I’m scared! I really hate getting spun

around!

Tornado Alley-averaging 500 tornadoes annually

Chris & Michael,

I choose you!

Now dear, maybe we should give them a hint.

NORTH AMERICA

Look, there I live on it! Phew am I

relieved! I’m not far from

home.

I heard an interesting fact. Tornadoes in the

Northern Hemisphere spin

counter clockwise and

tornadoes in the Southern

Hemisphere spin

clockwise.

Tornadoes can be various colors. If

they are illuminated by the sun, they

appear to be white like other clouds. When filled with

soil and debris, they appear to be shades

of black, dark brown, gray, or

even red.

A tornado that forms over water is called a waterspout. They are usually weaker

than land tornadoes, and form in fair

weather.

Engineers have studied the damage to many buildings as

a result of tornadoes.Hallways provide the greatest safety in schools, while gyms

with large ceilings and classrooms with outside walls

are the most dangerous.

Shh! Quiet! I’m trying to learn!

What happens if there is a tornado warning??

Stay tuned to the radio or TV, get to the basement or a

shower stall. Remember to stay away from windows and

don’t come out until the warning is called off.Wait, I’m confused!

Should we do that now?

Let’s clarify the differences

between Tornado watches and

warnings!

Tornado watch vs. Tornado warnings

Tornado watch: The forecasters use satellite pictures and weather tools to

predict severe thunderstorms, with tornadoes to follow……..then they issue

a tornado or severe thunderstorm watch.

Tornado warning: A tornado has been spotted. The National Weather service is informed as well as the civil defense,

state police, and the public.

Updraft=Winds blown upward towards the sky

Downdraft=Winds blown down towards the Earth

Supercell=A thunderstorm with a constant updraft

Miss Moak the teacher says:

“I can feel us getting near the end so let’s have a final review”

What is a Tornado?

Miss Moak’s class, get ready…

Ooo! Can I call on someone?

Hey, where’d he come from?

Ariel & Drew, you’re up!

Excellent!

Where do most tornadoes in the United States occur?

Um, is that a trick question?

(Get ready Nicky & Ryan)

Shannon & Katie what months do tornadoes most likely occur

in?

I know it is not the

northeast!

SUPERB! Last question…

Fantastic job everyone! You are now TORNADOES Experts! That’s all folks!