Over this last summer, I spent a lot of time on a nearby lake. I heard of water tornadoes but wasn't sure of the risk of being attacked by one. Where do they come from and what can I do to protect myself?
Also, I have a science project coming up soon and since this is such a strong interest of mine, I would like to recreate one. Any ideas on how to recreate a water tornado?
2006-11-02 05:10:15 · 5 answers · asked by ab628 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Water Tornadoes as you call them are usually referred to a Water Spouts, they are born the same way as a regular tornado, the only thing that makes them water spouts is that they occur when a tornado is over a body of water. Instead of picking up houses, dirt, and debris, they pick up the only thing around.... WATER!
To recreate one you would have to have a clear column of plexiglass tube about 12 inches in diam, some plywood, to build a base from, and a VERY strong fan to create the updraft. You need to space the bottom of the plexiglass up about 2 inches from a block of wood and place some "fins" in that space and angle them so they help to start the rotation of the air as it enters the column.
Mount the fan on the top of the column so that it pulls the air trough the cylinder. and place a plan of water in the middle of base. if your creative you can cut a hole in the base so that the pan of water drops in. This will take a lot of wind, so you might be better just using steam or smoke.
2006-11-02 05:16:09 · answer #1 · answered by Jonny B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They're not "stronger" on land than they would be if they were over water. Cyclone is the generic name for spiraling air masses and if they are relatively small and over land they are called tornadoes and if they're over water they're called waterspouts. Hurricanes lose "strength" when they hit land because the surface structures absorb and disturb the air movement.
2016-05-23 17:48:13 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Johnny's got it right on. They are neat to watch. Seen them in Chicago over Lake Michigan and down in Florida over the Gulf.
http://firstgovsearch.gov/search?affiliate=noaa.gov&v%3Aproject=firstgov&query=water+spouts
2006-11-02 05:19:34 · answer #3 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Next time you are attacked by a tornado...play dead...it will sniff you a little, get bored and usually runs off....if that doesn't work...head for your basement.
2006-11-02 05:20:05 · answer #4 · answered by I LIKA YOU MUCH 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THE SKY
2006-11-02 05:18:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋