Tornadoer

Tornadoer are violently rotating columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm to the ground. The term is used in Danish and Norwegian as the plural form of tornado; in English, the standard plural is tornadoes. They are most often associated with supercell thunderstorms, where a rotating updraft called a mesocyclone can tighten into a funnel that reaches the surface. Tornadoes vary widely in size, duration, and intensity.

Tornadoes form when warm, moist air near the surface meets cooler air aloft and encounters strong vertical wind shear, which can generate rotation in a thunderstorm's updraft. The rotation may tighten into a funnel that reaches the ground, creating a tornado. Many funnel clouds never touch down.

Classification: The Enhanced Fujita scale (EF0–EF5) rates tornado intensity based on observed damage rather than direct wind measurements. Winds in the strongest tornadoes are estimated to exceed 320 km/h (200 mph). Path width and length vary widely; many are less than 100 meters across and travel only a few kilometers, though some exceed several kilometers.

Geography and frequency: Tornadoes occur worldwide but are most frequent in the United States, followed by Canada, Europe, and parts of Australia and Asia. They can happen in any season, though regional patterns show higher activity in spring and early summer in some areas and year-round activity in others.

Forecasting and safety: Weather services issue tornado watches and warnings based on radar Doppler data, satellite information, and spotter reports. If a warning is issued, seek shelter in a sturdy building on the lowest floor, an interior room, and away from windows. Mobile homes are especially unsafe; if outdoors, lie in a low-lying area and protect your head.