What would happen if you walked into a very weak tornado?

Question

Purely theoretical, so please read all the constraints: you KNOW the winds to be consistent with an F0 Tornado (below 73 mph winds). Let's use 70 mph for the example. Clearly, this would be different than walking in 70 mph straight winds. Also, ignore the effects of debris. Assume the tornado is traveling on a clean, concrete surface. Another way to look at the question is what circular wind speed would it take to throw or lift a 175lb man. I know that a 70 mph straight wind would be difficult, but very possible to stand in. Thanks!!!

Answer 1

If you could walk into the tornado minus the other elements that you mentioned you might for a second find the eye of it. A tornado is very different of that of a hurricane. I think that if you were to be at the very tip of a tornado that something very strange might happen but nothing major being inside of one, you might find peace at the eye of it for a second or so...

Answer 2

Not much really. You would not be lifted off the ground but you would be knocked over (twice, as you got up from the first time the wind would suddenly reverse and tip you off balance again).

You can search out many dust devils in the Arizona desert with winds in the 50-70mph region. You could give it a try but I don't recommend it as you could finish up in a cactus!

Answer 3

Your ears would feel a pressure change so I am pretty sure one of the things you would do would be to swallow to equal to pressue in your ears.

I have walked in a 60 wind in Alaska and it was pretty amazing. I thought I was going to take off. I saw a 4x8 sheet of ply board fly about a half mile before I could not see it anymore.

Answer 4

me and friends use to take turns running into dust clouds. We called them whirlwinds. They would pick up dust and rocks and stuff on the side of the road. It was fun. They weren't near strong enough to lift a man off the ground. They were some fun times though...

Answer 5

I would guess an F1 tornado would throw or lift a 175lb. man.

Answer 6

You'd be okay. Have a comb to fix your hair, if you're not bald like me.

Answer 7

You'd still get pasted

Answer 8

ZAPPED by the lightning
































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































bye