The tornadoes These are meteorological phenomena that both terrify and attract many people. They are considered the most destructive force of nature, capable of reaching speeds of up to 400 kilometers per hour while destroying everything in their path. However, although they may all seem the same, they actually exist. different types of tornadoes They vary in their formation, intensity, and characteristics. Below, we'll explore in detail the different types of tornadoes, their formation, characteristics, and the measures we can take to protect ourselves from them.
Types of tornadoes
Tornadoes can be classified into several categories. Some of the most common classifications are described below:
Multiple vortex tornado
This type of tornado is characterized by two or more columns of moving air rotating around a common center. They commonly occur in intense tornadoes and can cause significant damage along their path. To better understand these phenomena, it is interesting to know the definitions and basic aspects of meteorology.
Waterspout
Also known as water hose, is a tornado found over water. These waterspouts form in tropical and subtropical waters, usually at the bases of clouds called cumulus congestusThere are two main types:
- Tornadic waterspout: Tornadoes that form over water, often associated with mesocyclonic storms.
- Non-tornadic waterspout: Less strong than mesocyclonic tornadoes and form under less intense conditions, being more common.
Land barrage
Also called a non-supercell tornado or landspoutThis phenomenon is not associated with a mesocyclone. They have a short lifespan and are generally weaker than traditional tornadoes, but they can cause significant damage, especially in cropland and agricultural practices. This highlights the importance of studying the impact on agriculture and livestock.
They look like tornadoes ... but they aren't
There are several formations that look like tornadoes, but are not:
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Un liked A tornado is a vertical vortex associated with a gust front or downburst. It isn't connected to a cloud base, so it isn't considered a genuine tornado. They often occur in unstable atmospheric conditions and are a good example of complex atmospheric phenomena.
Dust or sand swirl
It is a vertical column of air that rotates around itself as it moves. It forms under clear skies and, unlike tornadoes, They are not associated with storms or cumuliform cloudsThese eddies can influence air quality and visibility, topics that are also important in the study of Cumulonimbus clouds and their relationship with storms.
Fire swirl
They are circulations that develop near wildfires. They are usually less intense than tornadoes, unless they are connected to a cumuliform cloud. In this context, understanding how these phenomena form can be related to the environmental impacts in rural areas.
Steam swirl
This rare phenomenon forms from smoke emitted from power plant chimneys or from hot springs when cold air meets warm water. This type of phenomenon highlights the need to study how different atmospheric conditions can influence the formation of tornadoes and other weather events.
How are tornadoes formed?
The formation of a tornado is a complex process that requires specific atmospheric conditions. A tornado forms when a mass of warm, humid air meets a mass of cold, dry airThis encounter can give rise to a thunderstorm, which in turn favors the formation of a rotating air current. For a more in-depth analysis, it is advisable to know how thunderstorms form. water hoses and their mechanics.
Conditions necessary for tornado formation include:
- Low level humidityThe presence of humid air is key to the development of thunderstorms.
- atmospheric instabilityThe atmosphere must be unstable enough to allow warm air currents to rise strongly.
- Elevation: It is necessary to have a mechanism that forces the air to rise, such as a cold front or a dry line that divides different air masses.
- Wind shear: The change in wind speed and direction with height is essential to create the rotation necessary for tornadoes to form.
To read more about how tornadoes form, you can visit How are tornadoes formed.
Life cycle of a tornado
The life cycle of a tornado can be divided into several stages:
- Training stage: The tornado begins as a small dust devil that develops under favorable conditions.
- Organized State: The tornado structure becomes more defined and begins to descend.
- Mature state: The tornado makes contact with the ground and its winds reach their maximum speed.
- State of contraction: The tornado begins to lose intensity and its size decreases.
- Dissipation: Eventually, the tornado fades, and the air current is no longer able to sustain the rotation.
Consequences of tornadoes
Tornadoes can cause a number of devastating consequences, including:
- Destruction of infrastructure: Homes, buildings and communication routes may be seriously damaged or destroyed.
- Injuries and deathsDue to the violence of their winds, tornadoes can cause considerable loss of life and injuries to people.
- Service interruption: Electricity, water and telecommunications services may be compromised by the destruction of power poles and cables.
- Environmental impact: Local vegetation and ecosystems can suffer significant damage, affecting the fauna and flora of the area, highlighting the link with the effects of agriculture on the environment.
Where do tornadoes occur?
Tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, although there are certain areas where they are more frequent. The United States has the highest number of tornadoes, especially in the region known as Tornado alley, which includes states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. Elsewhere in the world, tornadoes are common in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Understanding these phenomena is vital to studying the pyrocumulonimbus clouds and their relationship with tornadoes.
The climatic conditions that favor the formation of tornadoes occur primarily in the transition zone between polar and tropical air, which generally occurs between latitudes of 20° and 50° in both hemispheres. Tornadoes are also more likely in summer, especially during the peak daytime heating hours.
For more information on the frequency of tornadoes, we recommend reading about in which country most tornadoes occur.
Tornado Safety Measures
When a tornado watch is issued, it is crucial to take the following precautions to ensure safety:
- Seek shelter in a basement or an interior room without windows.
- If you are in a vehicle, stop and seek shelter in a nearby building.
- If you are outdoors, lie down in a ditch or pit.
Tornado intensity scale
Tornadoes are classified according to the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF), ranging from EF0 (light damage) to EF5 (extremely destructive damage). To get a better idea of the damage they can cause, it is useful to know the impact of Warm bursts and their relationship to extreme weather events.
| Scale | Wind speed (km / h) | Description of the damage |
|---|---|---|
| EF0 | 105-137 | Minor damage, such as fallen tiles and broken branches. |
| EF1 | 138-178 | Moderate damage, such as torn roofs. |
| EF2 | 179-218 | Considerable damage, such as destroyed homes. |
| EF3 | 219-266 | Severe damage, large structures damaged. |
| EF4 | 267-322 | Devastating damage, houses destroyed. |
| EF5 | > 322 | Incredible damage, total destruction of structures. |
The most devastating tornado on record was Tri-State Tornado In the United States, which on March 18, 1925, traveled approximately 352 kilometers, leaving 695 deaths in its wake. Worldwide, the Daulatpur-Saturia tornado in Bangladesh in 1989, which resulted in 1300 deaths, is remembered as the deadliest.
These extreme events, although short in duration, possess an astonishing capacity for destruction and are the subject of ongoing study to improve protection and prevention measures in communities prone to their occurrence.
Cultural and cinematographic aspects
Tornadoes, besides being a powerful meteorological phenomenon, have inspired a variety of films in Hollywood, such as Twister (1996), which popularized the image of the tornado in popular culture, creating renewed interest in atmospheric science and disaster safety. The representation of these phenomena in culture can influence public perceptions of the meteorology career.
For more curiosities, you can consult curiosities about tornadoes.
- Tornadoes are meteorological phenomena of great intensity and destructiveness.
- They are classified into different types according to their formation and characteristics.
- Tornadoes can cause devastating damage to infrastructure and human life.
- There are safety and prevention measures that can help mitigate its impact.
