Tornado Facts

Tornado facts help us to understand the nature of the natural phenomenon in which we are dealing. Many tornado facts go underreported because of oversimplification or misinformation.

This site contains all sorts of tornado facts that will help inform people as well as give guidance on good decision-making when it comes to being in the presence of twisters.

Tornado Facts

Tornado Fact 1: Tornados, or twisters as they are often called, are rapidly rotating columns of air, many times in a funnel shape, which touch the earth. They most often hang down from cumulonimbus clouds and can cause much damage on the ground.

Tornado Fact 2: Tornados may form when a warm front meets a cold front forming a thunderstorm which can spawns one or more twisters. But, this is an oversimplification. Rotating thunderstorms called mesocyclones are the best predictors of tornadic activity.

Tornado Fact 3: Mesocyclones are also called supercells and are well defined thunderstorms on radar. Supercells may also include hail, severe winds, lightning and flash floods.

Tornado Fact 4: Most twisters or cyclones travel from southwest to northeast, though this is not always the case. Some can move in the opposite direction for short periods and may even backtrack if hit by winds from the thunderstorm's core.

Tornado Fact 5: Funnel clouds usually last less than 10 minutes before dissipating with many only lasting several seconds. On rare occasions, cyclones can last for over an hour as many were reported to have done in the early 1900's.

There are many more tornado facts to report. In fact, there are so many tornado facts that are relevant that we've put up an Tornado FAQ page to handle to overflow. Remember, there is so much about funnel clouds and cyclones that we don't yet know, but the tornado facts we do know are interesting, informative and could even save your life one day. For instance, those in Alabama are probably contemplating a storm shelter after the last tornado strike killed several at a school.

So, read on and ask some questions if you'd like.