If we had to name the two most destructive and devastating meteorological phenomena on the planet, there would be no doubt that they are hurricanes and tornadoes.
There is usually some confusion when it comes to differentiating between them, which is why I am going to explain the characteristics of each one so that from now on you will know which is one and which is the other.
Differences between tornado and hurricane
The first major difference is where they begin to form. Tornadoes always form over land or in coastal areas very close to shore. In contrast, hurricanes always form over oceans and cannot form over land. Another notable difference between the two phenomena is their wind speed. Tornadoes have much higher wind speeds than hurricanes, reaching up to 500 km/h in extreme cases . Hurricanes rarely exceed 250 km/h.
In terms of size, there are also significant differences, as a typical tornado usually has a diameter of about 400 or 500 meters . Hurricanes, however, are usually much larger, with diameters that can reach 1500 kilometers . There are also major differences in their lifespans. Tornadoes tend to be short-lived, lasting only a few minutes at most. In contrast, hurricanes have a much longer lifespan, sometimes lasting several weeks. A recent example is Hurricane Nadine, which remained active for a remarkable 22 days. Hurricane Irma , on the other hand, was the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic.
The final difference between the two relates to prediction. Tornadoes are much more difficult to predict than hurricanes, whose path and formation location are easier to forecast.
If you want to know a little more about tornadoes or hurricanes, keep reading because we still have a lot of information to give you on the subject.
What is a tornado?
A tornado is a mass of air that forms at high angular velocity. The ends of the tornado are located between the Earth's surface and a cumulonimbus cloud . It is a cyclonic atmospheric phenomenon with a large amount of energy, although it usually lasts for a short time.
Tornadoes can vary in size and shape, and their duration typically ranges from a few seconds to over an hour. The most common tornado shape is that of a funnel cloud , whose narrowest end touches the ground and is usually surrounded by a cloud that carries dust and debris from its vicinity.
Tornadoes can reach speeds of between 65 and 180 km/h and can measure up to 75 meters in width. Tornadoes do not remain stationary in the place where they form, but rather move across the territory. They typically travel several kilometers before dissipating.
The most extreme ones can have winds with speeds that can reach up to 450 km/h or more, measure up to 2 km wide, and remain touching the ground for over 100 km of travel.
How a tornado form?
Tornadoes originate from thunderstorms and are often accompanied by hail. For a tornado to form, conditions must change in the direction and speed of a storm, creating a horizontal rotation. When this occurs, a vertical cone forms through which the air rises and spins within the storm.
Weather phenomena that contribute to the formation of tornadoes tend to occur more frequently during the day (especially at dusk) and during the spring and fall seasons . This means that tornadoes are more likely to form in spring and fall and during the day; in other words, they are more common during these times. However, tornadoes can occur at any time of day and on any day of the year.
Characteristics and consequences of a tornado
The tornado is actually invisible, only when it carries the condensed water droplets from a humid air storm and the dust and debris on the ground, it turns gray.
Tornadoes are classified as weak, strong, or violent storms. Violent tornadoes make up only two percent of all tornadoes, but cause 70 percent of all deaths and can last an hour or more. Damage caused by a tornado includes:
- People, cars and entire buildings thrown through the air
- Serious injuries
- Deaths caused by hitting flying debris
- Damages in agriculture
- Destroyed homes
Meteorologists cannot predict tornadoes as easily as they can predict hurricanes. However, by understanding the meteorological variables that influence tornado formation, specialists can provide enough warning to save lives. Currently, the average tornado warning time is 13 minutes.
Tornadoes can also be identified by some signs from the sky such as a sudden turning very dark and greenish in color, a large hailstorm, and a powerful roar like that of a locomotive.
What is a hurricane?
Hurricanes are considered the strongest and most violent storms on Earth . They are known by different names, such as typhoons or cyclones, depending on their location. The scientific term is tropical cyclone.
Only tropical cyclones that form over the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern Pacific Ocean are called hurricanes. To learn more about them, you can read about how hurricane and tornado names are chosen.
How is a hurricane formed?
For a hurricane to form, there must be a large mass of warm and humid air (usually tropical air has these characteristics). This warm and humid air is used by the hurricane as fuel, hence it usually forms near the equator.
Air rises from the ocean's surface, leaving the lower areas with less air. This creates a low-pressure zone near the ocean, since there is less air per unit volume.
In the global circulation of air around the planet, air masses move from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration, that is, from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. When the air surrounding the low-pressure area moves in to fill the resulting "gap," it also heats up and rises. As the warm air continues to rise, the surrounding air rotates to take its place . When the rising air cools, its moisture content causes it to form clouds. As this cycle continues, the entire system of clouds and air rotates and grows, fueled by the heat of the ocean and the water evaporating from its surface.
Hurricane characteristics and characteristics
Depending on which hemisphere a hurricane forms in, it will rotate in one direction or the other. If it forms in the Northern Hemisphere , the hurricane will rotate counterclockwise. Conversely, if it forms in the Southern Hemisphere , it will rotate clockwise.
As the air continues to rotate, an eye (called the eye of the hurricane) forms in the center, which is very calm. In the eye, the pressure is very low , and there is no wind or currents of any kind.
Hurricanes weaken when they enter land, since they cannot continue to feed and grow from the energy of the oceans. Although hurricanes disappear as they make landfall, they are strong enough to cause damage and death.
Hurricane Categories
Surely you have ever heard that "category 5 hurricane." What Are Hurricane Categories Really? It is a way of measuring the intensity and devastating power of hurricanes. They are divided into five categories and are as follows:
Category 1
- Winds between 118 and 153 kilometers per hour
- Minimal damage, mainly to trees, vegetation, and mobile homes or trailers that are not properly secured.
- Total or partial destruction of power lines or badly installed signs. Swells of 1.32 to 1,65 meters above normal.
- Minor damage to docks and berths.
Category 2
- Winds between 154 and 177 kilometers per hour
- Considerable damage to trees and vegetation. Extensive damage to mobile homes, signs, and exposed power lines.
- Partial destruction of roofs, doors and windows, but little damage to structures and buildings.
- Swells of 1.98 to 2,68 meters above normal.
- Roads and paths near things are flooded.
- Considerable damage to piers and piers. Marinas are flooded and smaller vessels break moorings in open areas.
- Evacuation of lowland residents in coastal areas.
Category 3
- Winds between 178 and 209 kilometers per hour
- Extensive damage: large trees downed, as well as signs and signs that are not solidly installed.
- Damage to the roofs of buildings and also to doors and windows, as well as to the structures of small buildings. Mobile homes and caravans destroyed.
- Swells of 2,97 to 3,96 meters above normal and flooding in extensive areas of coastal areas, with extensive destruction of buildings that are near the coast.
- Large structures near the coast are seriously damaged by the onslaught of waves and floating debris.
- Flat lands 1,65 meters or less above sea level flood more than 13 kilometers inland.
- Evacuation of all residents along the coastal areas.
Category 4
- Winds between 210 and 250 kilometers per hour
- Extreme damage: trees and shrubs are blown away by the wind, and advertisements and signs are ripped or destroyed.
- Extensive damage to roofs, doors and windows. Total collapse of roofs in small homes.
- Most mobile homes are destroyed or seriously damaged. - Swells of 4,29 to 5,94 meters above normal.
- Flat lands 3,30 meters or less above sea level are flooded up to 10 kilometers inland.
- Mass evacuation of all residents in an area about 500 meters from the coast, and also on low ground, up to three kilometers inland.
Category 5
- Winds of more than 250 kilometers per hour
- Catastrophic damage: trees and shrubs are totally washed away and uprooted by the wind.
- Major damage to the roofs of buildings. Ads and signs are ripped off and blown away.
- Total collapse of roofs and walls of small residences. Most mobile homes are destroyed or seriously damaged.
- Swells 4,29 to 5,94 meters above normal.
This information will help you better understand the differences between tornadoes and hurricanes, as well as their characteristics. Due to climate change , these phenomena will become increasingly frequent and intense, so it's important to be well-informed about them.
