Introduction: While Omaha hasn't been hit by violent tornadoes very often, it is important, nonetheless, to understand how they develop and what you can do to keep yourself safe. The purpose of this activity will be for you to research tornado facts/myths and to be able to protect yourself in the event Omaha should be hit again. If you go to the following website, you can read and see information about the last major tornado to hit Omaha on May 6, 1975. http://www.weather.gov/oax/may675
Background Information:
Go to the following National Weather Service website to
answer the following: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/tstorms/tornado.html 1. What is the common definition for tornado?
2. Typically, how many tornadoes annually occur in the
U.S.?
3. During what months do most tornadoes occur?
4. Annually, how many tornadoes can be expected in
Nebraska?
5. What is a supercell thunderstorm?
6. Describe the relationship between supercells and
tornadoes. 7. What is wind shear? Describe the two types.
8. Describe the updrafts role in a supercell.
9. What is a mesocyclone?
10. T.V. meteorologists often talk about a hook echo on
radar. What are they talking about?
11. A tornado might be white, black, brown, or red.
Describe what would give a tornado each color.
12. What is the time range a tornado might last?
13. Some skinny tornadoes can do more damage than
wider ones. Describe what you may think is the cause. Hint: Remember what you learned about spinning objects in our physics unit.
14. What is the Enhanced Fujita(EF) Scale?
15. What is used to determine the severity of a tornado
on the EF scale?
16. After doing a search of your own, describe the
differences between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. Tornado Myths Go to the following National Weather Service website, read the page, and answer the following: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/twiste d_tornado_myths.html 1. In the past, it was believed that if one were out in a car, it was safe to take refuge under a bridge. Why isnt that true?
2. Describe why it isnt true that tornadoes avoid cities.
3. When I was young, my dad said to open windows in
the house during a tornado warning. The idea was to reduce the suction from a tornado and reduce damage. What was the problem with that?
4. What would be a couple reasons a person couldnt see
a tornado coming?
5. Describe why you wouldnt necessarily be safe if a
tornado werent coming directly at you? Tornado Safety Go to the following National Weather Service website, read the page, and do the following: http://www.weather.gov/ctp/TornadoSafety 1. In at least two paragraphs of 5-6 sentences each, describe the home where you live. Indicate how many floors there are, whether there is a basement, where there are windows, etc. In the event of a tornado warning, where would you seek shelter and why would you go there? What sorts of items might you keep in the shelter?
2. In the event of a tornado warning, what items, if any,
would you take with you to shelter? Be practical here. Keep in mind, a fast-moving storm can be on top of your home very quickly. You may not have time to take anything.
3. You will be driving in a couple years. What would you
do if you were caught in severe weather? Rain can be so heavy you cant see. Hail might smash out your windows. A tornado might be bearing down on you. What would you do?
By now, hopefully you have learned more about
how tornadoes form, myths, and safety. Going forward, especially if you stay in Tornado Alley, this is knowledge you can take with you wherever you go. Knowledge and preparation are key. Always keep an eye to the sky!