Jewel

Jewel

Mr.DeGroot                               

English 7

Tuesday March 12, 2024

Tornadoes 

          Tornados are one of earth's most dangerous storms with their high wind and destructive body. When tornado season strikes people are all ears when it comes to supercells and tornadoes. You don’t want to be left wondering what to do in the event of one of these storms. A tornado is a funnel shaped cloud that reaches the ground that is developed from a supercell and can cause damage to structures. ( National Weather Service)

To be ready for when a tornado strikes, it is important to know what a tornado is. So, what exactly is a tornado? A tornado is formed when cool dry air and warm moist air come together causing a funnel that extends from a supercell/thunderstorm. When a tornado touches the ground it will move in the direction of the wind. If you see a tornado on the ground and it doesn't look like it's moving it is coming right at you and you should take shelter immediately. ("Tornado Safety.") 

  Tornadoes form when warm air rises from the ground and cool air meets. This causes an unstable atmosphere and develops a tornado. When a tornado develops there will be a change in wind and direction of the wind. There also can be a change in temperature such as a temperature drop. The temperature drop will most likely happen after the tornado has occurred. (National Weather Service)

  Tornadoes can cause a lot of damage. The amount of damage that can occur with a tornado can depend on where the tornado takes place like a populated area or country side and the wind speed of the tornado. According to the National Weather Service, “Tornadoes are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees, and hurling objects 

through the air like deadly missiles.” Tornadoes are rated on the Enhanced Fujita scale also known as the EF scale. The higher the wind speed the higher the tornado will most likely be rated on the EF scale. The tornadoes are rated EF0-EF5. EF 1 being light damage and EF 5 being indescribable and devastating amounts of damage. Tornado wind speeds can be over 300 miles per hour.(Forces of nature) (National Weather Service)

It is important to know what to do in the case of a tornado. Remember to stay informed with your local weather service during times like this. When a tornado occurs you should go to your safe place. The best place to go is underground. If you are unable to go into a basement or underground you should go to the center of a building and away from windows. You could go into a bathtub, bathroom, closest, ect. You should have all your necessities in your safe place with you like batteries, flashlights, portable chargers, water, and snacks. You may be unable to get out for a while so it is good to have these to last you during that time. ("Tornado Safety.")

It is always good to know when it is time to take action. When a tornado watch is in effect it means the conditions are favorable for one to develop. When a warning is in effect it means a tornado has been spotted and is on the ground this is when you should take action and go into your safe place.( National Weather Service)

          Tornadoes can be very dangerous so it is always important to stay informed and know 

when one might occur. Staying up to date with your local weather station is always a good idea to ensure your family will be safe and out of harm's way during storms like these.(National Weather Service)

Works cited

Forces of nature, National geographic.org, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/tornadoes. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. 

"Tornado Safety." National Weather Service, National Weather Service, 2024, www.weather.gov/safety/tornado. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024.

National Weather Service, National weather service, 2024, www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/tornadoes/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024.

Blackwell, Amy h., and Elizabeth Manar. UXL Encyclopedias of weather and natural disaster's., Gale, part of Cengage Group, 1 Jan. 2016, go.gale.com/ps/aboutJournal.do?contentModuleId=MSIC&resultClickType=AboutThisPublication&actionString=DO_DISPLAY_ABOUT_PAGE&searchType=TopicSearchForm&docId=GALE%7C8TZP&userGroupName=iowaec&in. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. 

"Tornado Safety." UXL Encyclopedia of Weather and Natural Disasters, edited by Amy Hackney Blackwell and Elizabeth Manar, 2nd ed., vol. 4, UXL, 2016, pp. 704-705. Gale In Context: Middle School, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3629500244/MSIC?u=iowaec&sid=bookmark-MSIC&xid=3dc06647. Accessed 22 Feb. 2024.

"Tornadoes." Gale Middle School Online Collection, Gale, 2021. Gale In Context: Middle School, link.gale.com/apps/doc/XMQQRQ315008626/MSIC?u=iowaec&sid=bookmark-MSIC&xid=113442c0. Accessed 22 Feb. 2024.