Tornadoes 101 | National Geographic
National Geographic・2 minutes read
Tornadoes vary in intensity and formation, with the United States experiencing the most annually, while the UK reports fewer occurrences. These destructive forces are classified based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with meteorologists playing a crucial role in predicting and safeguarding communities from their impact.
Insights
- Tornadoes in the United States outnumber those in the United Kingdom significantly, with over 1,000 reported annually in the US compared to around 33 in the UK, highlighting the geographical disparity in tornado occurrence.
- The Enhanced Fujita Scale categorizes tornadoes based on intensity, with the most severe like the EF5 in Oklahoma City in 1999 reaching wind speeds over 200 miles per hour, underscoring the critical role of meteorologists in predicting and safeguarding communities from tornado-related hazards.
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Recent questions
How do tornadoes form?
Tornadoes form from a combination of high and low-pressure air creating wind that eventually leads to a spinning vortex.
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Summary
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"Tornadoes: Nature's Destructive Force"
- Tornadoes start as gentle entities but can transform into destructive monsters, with the United States having the highest number of tornadoes annually, over 1,000 reported, while the United Kingdom reports about 33 tornadoes each year.
- Tornadoes are classified as supercell tornadoes, originating from supercells, or non-supercell tornadoes, forming within non-supercell storms, with both types requiring a combination of high and low-pressure air to create wind and eventually a spinning vortex.
- Tornadoes are officially classified based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, ranging from EF0 to EF5, with the strongest tornadoes like the EF5 in Oklahoma City in 1999 reaching wind speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour, causing significant damage and fatalities, emphasizing the importance of meteorologists in forecasting and protecting communities from tornadic events.
