GroundTruth

- GroundTruth
  
  For more than 20 years Earth Networks has operated the world’s largest and most comprehensive weather observation, lightning detection, and climate networks.
  
  We are now leveraging our big data smarts to deliver on the promise of IoT. By integrating our hyper-local weather data with Smart Home connected devices we are delievering predictive energy efficiency insight to homeowners and Utility companies.
- GroundTruth
- WeatherBug
  - Consumer
  - Corporate
- WeatherBug
  - Consumer
  - Corporate

You may have heard the line “We’re not in Kansas anymore,” from Dorothy after taking a swirling ride on a tornado (spoiler alert), but there’s more to this wonder of nature than a dizzying ride.

What is a tornado?

There’s a lot of information on tornado formation but their origin is otherwise still a mystery. Most meteorologist would agree that a tornado is most likely to form in a supercell thunderstorm. Supercell thunderstorms are highly dangerous, volatile thunderstorms that create a rotating motion usually resulting in a wall cloud. A wall cloud is a pure signal that tornado formation is imminent. All it takes is a strong lifting mechanism or an updraft to mix with wind shear to create a vertical cylinder or cone of chaotic wind known as a tornado.

Where are tornadoes more likely to form?

Since most regions in the U.S. experience strong to severe thunderstorms, there’s a good chance of a tornado forming everywhere. However, there is one area across the U.S. that is “more likely” to experience several rounds of tornadoes and that is none other than “Tornado Alley.” Typically, this region extends from northern Texas into the northern Plains and is known for seeing a higher frequency of tornadic storms between spring and fall. Although this region is more susceptible to this raw power of Mother Nature, anywhere in the U.S. with a severe thunderstorm could produce a tornado.

How are tornadoes scaled?

Tornadoes use to be rated by the Fujita or F Scale, a rating set after surveying the damage done by the suspected winds of a tornado after the storm has passed. This scale has since been replaced by the Enhanced Fujita Scale, EF for short. This modified scale still uses post-storm damage surveys, but more accurately aligns the wind speeds with the amount of damage caused by a tornado. For example, the F scale typically began at F-1 with winds between 73-112 mph and was based solely on the intensity of damage and wind speed was estimated as a result. However, the EF Scale begins at EF-0 to provide classification between less severe but still damaging tornadoes starting at 65-85 mph.

The following is how tornadoes are rated on the EF scale based on their wind profile:

EF-0: Wind gusts between 65-85 mph
EF-1: Wind gusts between 86-110 mph
EF-2: Wind gusts between 111-135 mph
EF-3: Wind gusts between 136-165 mph
EF-4: Wind gusts between 166-200 mph
EF-5: Wind gusts over 200 mph

What’s the difference between a Tornado Watch and Tornado Warning?

You’ll hear often that there’s a difference between a watch and a warning, and the former couldn’t be truer in terms of a tornado. If a Tornado Watch has been issued for your immediate area, then that means that tornado formation is possible, and you should be prepared, should one forms. A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated on radar; you should seek shelter immediately and hunker down at the lowest level available until the storm has passed.

What should you do if you’re in a tornado-warned storm?

If you cross paths with a tornado-warned storm, following these steps will help keep you safe from imminent danger:

Home: Go to your basement or interior room away from windows to put as much space between you and danger. Make sure to sit on the floor and cover your head from any flying debris. If no basement is available, it is also advised to go into an interior bathroom on your home’s lowest level and sit in the tub with your head in your lap and your head covered.
Workplace or School: Follow your institution’s procedures and proceed to the tornado shelter location as quickly and calmly as possible. Stay away from windows and do not gather in large rooms such as auditoriums, cafeterias and gymnasiums.
Outside: As previously mentioned, seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately. Storage sheds, mobile homes or tents are not safe environments during a tornado. If no shelter is available, find a groove or ditch in the ground, lay flat with your face towards the ground and place your hands over your head.
Vehicle: A car is not an adequate place to be sheltered during a tornado. If possible, drive to the nearest sturdy building and seek shelter there. Avoid stopping under an overpass as these are dangerous places to be during a tornado as well. Winds have been known to exceed 200 mph underneath an underpass during a tornado, and it can pull you right from under it. If no shelter is available, find a ravine or ditch and lay flat with your face towards the ground and your head covered by your hands.

See, there’s more knowledge to a tornado than what has been depicted in a fabled childhood movie. Make sure to follow this rule of thumb in case a tornado threatens near you, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”

Image: A tornado outbreak struck eastern North Dakota on June 27, 2015. (NOAA NWS, Amanda L. Hill)

- Live Radar
- - Weather Details
- Forecast
  
  }
- Featured Videos
- Air Quality

What Is A Tornado?