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Tornadoes
By: Liza N. Burby
What is a tornado?
Meteorologists, people who study the weather, say a tornado is the
most violent of all storms. It is a fast moving, spinning column of air
called a funnel cloud that twists down from a thunderstorm. When the
funnel reaches all the way down to the ground, it is called a tornado.
Tornadoes are also called twisters or cyclones.
What is a Tornado?
The spinning winds in the
funnel act like an
enormous vacuum cleaner.
They can suck up cars,
trains, trees, and even
houses. One reason
people are interested in
tornadoes is because they
do weird things. They've
been known to take the
feathers off a chicken and
carry big cows from one
farm to another. Some
cows have even
disappeared during a
tornado!
What Causes Tornadoes?
Tornadoes usually start if there is a
bad thunderstorm with lightning,
hail, and fast winds. Tornadoes
happen when warm, wet air moving
in one direction meets colder, drier
air coming from the opposite
direction. When these two kinds
meet, the warm air rises over the
cold air and starts to spin. The rising
spinning air sucks in warm air from
just above the ground. This warm air
becomes part of the tornado. Warm
air rises and makes the tornado rise
higher in the air. As it rises, it spins
faster, faster, and faster.
What is a Tornado like?
A tornado may spin for just a few
seconds, or it may go on for several
hours. It may spin over one spot for
a while and then suddenly dart off
in any direction. It is very difficult to
tell where a tornado will go next.
Sometimes tornadoes zigzag,
moving quickly from side to side.
What is a Tornado Like?
• Sometimes there are several
tornadoes that move in a group
or follow each other. Most
tornadoes happen far inland,
away from water. A waterspout
is an unusual tornado that forms
over a river, lake or ocean. This
kind of tornado sucks up water
as well as warm air. Waterspouts
are strong enough to pull fish
and frogs from the water and
carry them to other places.
Where do tornadoes happen?
Tornadoes can happen anywhere
in the world if warm, damp winds
meet colder, drier winds. More
tornadoes happen in the United
States than anywhere else in the
world. In the United States,
tornadoes are common in an area
that has been known as Tornado
Alley.
Looking for Tornadoes
Because tornadoes can hurt people, meteorologists try to figure
out when one is coming. They watch for weather patterns so they
can warn people. Meteorologists use tools like Doppler radar,
weather balloons, and pictures taken by satellites far above the
Earth to watch for the patterns.
How Do You Know When It’s Coming?
Tornadoes are scary, but you can usually find
out if one is coming. You may see bad
thunder storms with lighting, strong winds,
and hail. Listen to your radio or TV for news
reports about a possible tornado. If the
news says there is a tornado watch you
should be on the alert. Be ready to go to a
safe place if a tornado warning is
announced. A tornado warning means that
meteorologists have spotted a tornado and
they know where it is heading. People
should seek shelter immediately.
Safety During A Tornado
If you are home during a
tornado warning, go to your
basement and hide under a
heavy piece of furniture. If
you don’t have a basement,
get into a closet in the middle
of the house. Keep away from
all windows in case the glass
breaks. If you are outside and
you can’t reach shelter, lie flat
in a ditch. Cover your head
with your hands to protect
yourself from flying glass and
dirt.
Thanks for watching!!!
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Bibliography
Tornadoes By: Liza N. Burby
Terrifying Tornadoes By: Louise and Richard Spilsbury
Tornadoes By: Alvin Silverstein
Tornadoes By: Dean Galiano
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