Severe Weather

Front

What is a tornado?

Back

a violently rotating column of air

Front

Which state has the most twisters per year? How many?

Back

Texas, 120

Front

What are large thunderstorms that have winds already in rotation called?

Back

supercells

Front

Why do most tornadoes occur in the afternoon?

Back

the sun has had more time to heat the ground/atmosphere & produce thunderstorms

Front

When do tornadoes form?

Back

when warm, humid air collides with cold, dry air

Front

What is a funnel cloud?

Back

the cloud that forms before a storm turns into a tornado

Front

How does the Fujita scale measure a tornado's intensity?

Back

by analyzing the damage the tornado has done & matching that to wind speeds

Front

Which level on the Fujita scale corresponds to incredible damage and wind speeds of 261 mph?

Back

F5

Front

What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?

Back

A warning is when a tornado has been sighted & a watch is when the weather is conducive to a tornado.

Front

What are the perfect atmospheric conditions for a tornado?

Back

When a cold/dry air mass and a warm/moist air mass meet in addition to falling pressure & variable winds.