Tornadoes

Tornadoes are violently rotating and potentially damaging columns of air that touch the earth. Most tornadoes in the world occur in the United States, especially aptly named Tornado Alley, which stretches from west Texas to North Dakota.LiveScience: Tornado Science, Facts and History

Tornadoes are formed when hot air meets cool air. As warm, humid air rises it sometimes breaks through the cool, dry air above, causing a thunder cloud. A storm develops, sucking air upward and causing winds from different directions to rotate at increasing speeds. The visible funnel cloud drops down from the sky and begins to travel across the ground.

• EF0 Wind Speed MPH:65-85 Damage Level: Light Enhanced Fujita Scale : Enhanced Fujita Scale

• EF1 Wind Speed MPH:86-110 Damage Level: Moderate Enhanced Fujita Scale : Enhanced Fujita Scale

• EF2 Wind Speed MPH:111-135 Damage Level: Considerable Enhanced Fujita Scale : Enhanced Fujita Scale

• EF3 Wind Speed MPH:136-165 Damage Level: Severe Enhanced Fujita Scale : Enhanced Fujita Scale

• EF4 Wind Speed MPH:166-200 Damage Level: Devastating Enhanced Fujita Scale : Enhanced Fujita Scale

• EF5 Wind Speed MPH:>200 Damage Level: Exploding Enhanced Fujita Scale : Enhanced Fujita Scale