Tornadoes

A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as twisters or cyclones, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology to refer to a weather system, not a tornado. Tornadoes come in many shapes and sizes, but are typically in the form of a visible condensation funnel, whose narrow end touches the Earth and is often encircled by a cloud of debris and dust.

Formation

Tornadoes typically form from thunderstorms when warm, humid air collides with cold, dry air. This creates instability in the atmosphere, leading to the development of a rotating updraft. As the rotating updraft intensifies, it can create a mesocyclone, which is a key component in the formation of tornadoes.

Study Guide

1. What is a tornado?

A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud.

2. How do tornadoes form?

Tornadoes typically form from thunderstorms when warm, humid air collides with cold, dry air, creating instability in the atmosphere and leading to the development of a rotating updraft.

3. What is a mesocyclone?

A mesocyclone is a key component in the formation of tornadoes, created when the rotating updraft intensifies.