Lesson 7: Natural Hazards

Tornadoes

A tornado is a
violent rotating,
funnel of air
that extends
from a
thunderstorm to
the ground.

Winds in most tornadoes

blow at 100 mph or less.
In the most violent and
least frequent tornadoes,
wind speeds can exceed 250
mph.

Tornadoes are caused by

long-lasting, large
thunderstorms.

Stronger
west
Winds aloft

Southeast
wind
Near
ground

Before thunderstorms develop there is:

a change in wind direction and
an increase in wind speed with
increasing height
This creates an invisible, horizontal
spinning effect in the lower
atmosphere.

Rising air within the thunderstorm

updraft tilts the rotating air from
horizontal to vertical.

An area of rotation, 2-6 miles wide,

now extends through much of the
storm.
Most strong and violent tornadoes
form within this area of strong
rotation.
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Tornadoes: Shapes and

Sizes
Weak
Tornadoes
69% of all
tornadoes
Less than 5% of
tornado deaths
Lifetime 1-10+
minutes
Winds less than
110 mph
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Tornadoes: Shapes and Sizes

Strong
Tornadoes
29% of all
tornadoes
Nearly 30% of all
tornado deaths
May last 20
minutes or longer
Winds 110-205
mph
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Tornadoes: Shapes and Sizes

Violent
Tornadoes
Only 2% of all
tornadoes
70% of all tornado
deaths
Lifetime can exceed 1
hour
Winds greater than
205 mph
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Effects of Tornadoes

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Effects of Tornadoes

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Who is most at risk?

People in automobiles
The elderly, very young, and
the physically or mentally
impaired
People in mobile homes
People who may not understand
the warning due to a language
barrier
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Warning Systems
Tornado Warning
Systems are often
run by county
governments and use
data from the
National Weather
Service.

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Warning Systems
TORNADO WATCH: Tornadoes are
possible in your area. Remain alert for
approaching storms.

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Warning Systems
TORNADO WATCH: Tornadoes are
possible in your area. Remain alert for
approaching storms.
TORNADO WARNING: A tornado has
been sighted or indicated by weather
radar. If a tornado warning is issued for
your area and the sky becomes
threatening, move to your pre-designated
place of safety.
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Tornado Myths
MYTH: Areas near rivers, lakes, and
mountains are safe from
tornadoes.

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What is a myth? Two

Definitions
A traditional, typically ancient story
dealing with supernatural beings or
phenomena or explaining aspects of
the natural world or outlining the
customs or ideals of society.
A fiction or half-truth
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Tornado Myths
MYTH: Areas near rivers, lakes, and
mountains are safe from
tornadoes.
FACT: No terrain is safe from
tornadoes. In the late 1980's, a
tornado swept through
Yellowstone National Park
leaving a path of destruction up
and down a 10,000 ft. mountain.
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Tornado Myths
MYTH: The low pressure with a
tornado causes buildings to
"explode" as the tornado passes
overhead.

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Tornado Myths
MYTH: The low pressure with a
tornado causes buildings to
"explode" as the tornado passes
overhead.
FACT: Violent winds and debris
slamming into buildings cause
most structural damage.

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Tornado Myths
MYTH: Windows should be opened
before a tornado approaches to
equalize pressure and minimize
damage.

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Tornado Myths
MYTH: Windows should be opened
before a tornado approaches to
equalize pressure and minimize
damage.
FACT: Opening windows allows
damaging winds to enter the
structure. Leave the windows
alone; instead, immediately go
to a basement, interior room, or
bathroom without windows.
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Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum

Copyright 2010-2014 by Oakland Schools

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