Dec 20, 2015
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!
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!
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!
How do Scientists decide if a tornado is weak, strong, or violent?
I bet they use a scale like they do for floods!
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.
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
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?
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
What is a Tornado?
Miss Moak’s class, get ready…
Ooo! Can I call on someone?
Hey, where’d he come from?
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…