Tornado- Joe

Hi Grandma!

There is scheduled for a very severe thunderstorm that is headed our way. This means that there is a very good chance that a tornado is headed our way also. This is because it is the right time of year which is in the winter and early spring when most tornadoes occur. Also the level of moisture in the air is very low. This is because the dew point for a tornado is usually at 40 degrees or above.


A tornado forms when warm humid air collides with a cool and dry air mass. When this occurs they start spinning in a horizontal fashion, and then after this happens the rotating column slowly turns into a vertical rotating column. This happens because the hot air begins to rise and the cool air goes downward and it just keeps spinning and spinning until it is a tornado. When it is a tornado there are many types. The types are classified by wind speed, such as an F0 which wind speed goes between 40 and 72 mph. Then the most severe tornado which we are most likely be seeing because of how severe the storm is suppose to be and that the conditions for one are just right. Those are walled an F5 which winds speeds can reach up to 318 mph! These are very rare severe tornadoes are only 5% of all tornadoes (F5 is not the only class included). Oh I almost forgot to mention, the type of clouds that make these massive storms are called cumulonimbus clouds. These types of clouds are high up in the sky and the larger the clouds the more massive the storm. To learn more about tornadoes click here.


I am very excited and very scared because I have heard what F5's can do to homes, and cars and buildings, and it is very important that we stay safe. Which I will mention more tomorrow for I will tell you what we do when the storm comes around. But I do know what to look for right before the tornado is about to hit. One thing to look out for is looking for dark somewhat greenish tint in the clouds. Low lying clouds also are a sign that a tornado is coming. Before a large tornado there is usually large hail falling from the sky. Well talk to you tomorrow grandma hope for the best!

-Joe