Why don't tornadoes usually form in Los Angeles?

Question

This question is for a science project and I can't find the answer ANYWHERE. Care to help me out? =]

Answer 1

Very good question and I can you havn't been told the answer yet, so here goes.

First of all tornadoes are not predictable in any scientific sense. By that I mean there is no set of time dependent differential equations which with observations both at the surface and through the atmosphere could be solved to predict their occurrence. Having said that I should note that the prediction of tornadoes is therefore mostly an art. You would not believe what the analysis of weather maps looks like when forecasters are looking for tornado genesis areas. These maps use to look as if a kindergartner was doing his coloring on them. First you need warm, moist, unstable air moving northward near the surface generally having started from over water, something you may have on occasion in LA, but generally the surface layer winds are westerly. Next you need westerly winds aloft which are much stronger. These winds should also be associated with drier air, but in the case of LA they carry moisture from the Pacific. When and where these two air masses meet on the weather map is where tornadoes "may" form. Where forecasters see these conditions developing they issue tornado watch boxes which you have no doubt seen on TV. If and when a tornado develops in one of these boxes a tornado warning is issued by the Weather Service and warnings are issued to the public via TV and radio. Today Doppler radar which detects circulation patterns in and around radar echoes is another excellent way in which the tornado boxes can be monitored for thunderstorms which will generate a tornado.

An old friend of mine who has since past away was Dr. Ted Fujita, of the University of Chicago. His specialty was tornado research and he was the gentleman who devised the F scale for tornados. He and I did research together on tropical storms in the western north Pacific ocean when he visited Guam in the early 1970's. I hope this helps to explain the complexities of this type of forecasting a little better for you. Because of what I've told you it is very unlikely for a tornado to hit LA, but like I said "it's an art and not yet a science".

Answer 2

You're dominated by the North Pacific High. Not only that, but you're under the southeast corner of the high witch is the most stable area. It would be incredibly rare for the needed conditions to develop.

Answer 3

A tornadoes has no bindery it can strike any where you just been fortunate I think it needs a high pressure air and a low pressure air. and then the meet to pressure start a swirling motion.

Answer 4

they don't!