A tornado, or twister, is a violently rotating column of air that

extends between the Earth's surface and a cloud, usually a

cumulonimbus cloud.

1.A large thunderstorm occurs in a cumulonimbus cloud. Tornadoes are mostly caused by
clouds called supercells. They are enormous clouds which bring high speed winds , rain and
sometimes hailstorms.

2.This type of cloud gets formed when there is enough heat to cause that amount of water to
evaporate. This heat cause the air to hate up and rise rapidly. A change in wind direction
and wind speed at high altitudes causes the air to swirl horizontally.

3.Rising air cause the cloud to start forming a vortex in the centre. The vortex forms a funnel
of air, this column of air then stretches towards the ground.

4.This causes a difference between the air inside the column of air and the air outside the
column of air .

5.The tip of the cone tightens and causes the air to spin faster. The funnel grows longer and
stretches toward the ground

6.When the funnel touches the ground it becomes a tornado.

The power of the tornado is measured using the Fujita scale. They are given ratings from
EF0-EF5 increasing in damage done .

EF0

 Wind speeds from 65-85 mph

 Does light damage to roofs, gutter, breaks tree branches, and uproot trees with loose
foundation .

EF1

 Wind speeds from 86-110 mph

 Does light moderate damage strips roof , moves cars, flips mobile homes

EF2

 Wind speeds from 111-135 mph

 Does can destroy homes, snaps large trees and can even lift cars from the ground .

*all tornadoes EF2 and above are called significant tornadoes .

EF3

 Wind speeds from 136-165 mph

  Heavy cars get lifted away , trees get debarked , trains get over turned , well
constructed buildings get severely damaged.

EF4
 Winds speed from 166-200 mph .
 Well build structures get levelled, trees and cars get thrown.

EF5

 Wind speed over 200mph

 Most damage .

SAFETY TIPS

1. All ways stay on alert for tornado warnings and prepare in advance .
2. If you are at home you must head to the bottom level of the house into a basement .
If you don't have a basement head to the bathroom . If you live in a tall building you
should make arrangements to go to a house at the lower levels . Avoid windows and
cover your selves with something to avoid flying debris .
3. If you are on a Cecile or outside get out of your vehicle and try to find a ditch or a low
flat land . Then lay flat to avoid the debris. Do not go under overpasses as they will
do more harm then good as, when the air is forced through the small area it
compresses and speeds up. This makes flying debris even more dangerous.
4. If possible wear a helmet to protect the head