Formation of Tornadoes
The tornado forms by the interplay of various atmospheric conditions. The process of formation of a tornado is as follows:
- Tornadoes form when warm, humid air collides with cold, dry air. The denser cold air pushes over the warm air, usually producing thunderstorms.
- The warm air rises through the colder air, causing an updraft. The updraft will begin to rotate if winds vary sharply in speed or direction. Rotating column of air is known as mesocyclone.
- Strong updraft tilts the mesocyclone into a vertical position. Descending and rotating mesocyclone forms a visible wall cloud.
- If the rotating column extends but does not touch the ground, it’s a funnel cloud. When the funnel cloud contacts the ground, it becomes a tornado.
- These thunderstorms also may generate large hail and damaging winds.
- Tornadoes can last from minutes to several hours, although the typical time is around 5 to 10 minutes. Supercell tornadoes tend to be longer-lived.
- Tornadoes can form in any month of the year not just during ‘ tornado season’
Necessary Conditions for the Formation of a Tornado
Condition necessary for the formation of tornado are as follows:
- Atmospheric instability: Warm moist air near the ground, with cooler dry air aloft.
- Wind Shear: Change in the speed and direction of wind with height.
Important Facts about Tornadoes
Facts on Tornadoes: Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storms, characterized by violently rotating columns of air formed by the convergence of warm and cool air masses. Tornadoes often manifest as dark, funnel-shaped clouds that are capable of causing devastating damage, with wind speeds exceeding 300 miles per hour.
In this article, we will study some key facts about tornadoes, exploring their formation, classification, and the science behind their destructive power.
Table of Content
- Historical Facts about Tornadoes
- Intensity of Tornadoes
- Formation of Tornadoes
- How Does a Tornado Obtain its Energy?
- How Do Tornadoes Get Their Name?
- Common Regions of Tornadoes
- Categories of Tornadoes
- Parts of Tornadoes
- Impact of Tornadoes
- Prediction of Tornadoes
- Effect of Climat Change on Tornadoes
- Recent News about Tornadoes
- Interesting Facts on Tornadoes
Contact Us