They hit the road during tornado season, heading for the areas with weather conditions most likely to spawn supercell thunderstorms. These different groups are all known as storm chasers. They not only catch the imagination of scientists but many non-expert hobbyists as well, even some thrill-seekers too. Tornadoes are fascinating and awe-inspiring. Forecasting tornadoesĭoppler radar has increased warning time for tornadoes from less than five minutes in the 1980s to an average of 14 minutes today resulting in fewer deaths. Automobile-sized missiles become airborneįirst slide details.Reinforced concrete structures are damaged.Strong frame houses are lifted from foundations.Over 322 kilometers (over 200 miles) per hour Once a tornado exists at ground level, it may live for a few seconds or up to an hour, and even longer on very rare occasions, before dissipating.įirst slide details. The funnel continues to grow, and if this spinning column reaches the ground, a tornado is born. Moisture drawn into the mesocyclone’s updraft starts to form a funnel cloud. Thunderstorms that produce these mesocyclones are called ‘supercells.’įor reasons scientists don’t fully understand, some of these supercells may continue to develop to a stage where a tornado develops. This rotating updraft is called a mesocyclone. However, if conditions are right, differences in wind speed and wind direction between the surface and higher altitudes will add a turning motion to the air rising in the thunderstorm updraft. These are the conditions that make normal thunderstorms. Cumulus clouds start to form when this air rises to a sufficient height.Īs more warm air rises, some of these clouds grow larger and turn into tall cumulonimbus storm clouds. The sun heats the ground and warm, moist air rises. Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos.
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