A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that forms underneath a thunderstorm and makes contact with the ground. Here's a breakdown of what makes a tornado:

• Connection: It's attached to the base of a strong thunderstorm cloud, usually a cumulonimbus cloud.

• Rotation: The air within the tornado spins incredibly fast, creating a powerful vortex. Wind speeds can reach up to 300 miles per hour (almost 500 kilometers per hour)!

• Destruction: Tornadoes can cause serious damage to buildings, trees, and anything else in their path. The debris they pick up can also become dangerous projectiles.