What do you know about tornado's?

Question

What do you know about tornados? What are some facts or explanations that would make sense to an eighth grader who doesn't have to much knowledge on weather?

Thanks a bunch- Alika613

Answer 1

One example you can use to explain the effects of wind from tornadoes is:

The news has showed footage of people along the interstate running up under the overpass for protection...explain to them that this is NOT a good place to be during a tornado because the winds passing through the area of the overpass actually increase in speed because of the confined space it is passing through....(example...water coming out of a garden hose and you put your thumb over the end....water is compressed and moves faster)

Also, tornadoes generally, but not always, spin counter-clockwise and my have more than one vortex inside the "funnel". Tornadoes can happen anyplace, but generally occur when warm air collides with cold air.

Answer 2

Don't get caught in one. In the Midwest every Spring we have to worry about the warm moist air generator from the Gulf of Mexico. That air moves to the east and north as the heating of the day happens and thunderstorms break out air, rotation of air can occur that spins in a circle, a frequent precursor or clue of tornado's is hail, that is a feature that happens with high cloud tops that can bend over or down to create the tornado. Unlike the "Wizard of OZ". a tornado can rip arms and legs off if the airspeed is high enough. People who live in trailer homes are usually in very serious danger. My aunt lived in a town that had mausoleums in a cemetery and bones got scattered after a tornado plowed through there years ago. A tornado is a deadly weather event

Answer 3

Storm producing rotational winds up to 300 mph--the highest of any weather on earth. Normally a tornado will form from a funnel-shaped cloud and touch the earth for only a few minutes. However, during that time the tornado can travel up to 70 mph, and leave a path of total destruction an average of a quarter-mile wide and twenty miles long. Tornadoes may accompany thunderstorms and hurricanes. Fortunately, tornadoes are rare in Virginia and infrequent on the Peninsula.

Answer 4

All I know is that if there is a tornado watch, I get things together so I can seek shelter if needed. If there is a warning, I go sit in the basement until I'm told the warning is over, even if it doesn't look like we are going to have a tornado.

Answer 5

I know the correct spelling. tornadoes, not tornado's.

Answer 6

Maybe this will help :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado

Answer 7

i know they make a big mess.