Learning About Tornadoes
Do you know what a tornado looks like? Well, if you live in the midwest you sure do! In an average year, there are about 1,300 tornadoes reported, according to the
National Weather Service in Sullivan, WI.
WHAT IS A TORNADO?
A tornado is a violently roating colum of air that that touches the ground, and extends down from thunderstorm clouds. There are an average of 1,500 tornadoes across the United States each year, and many occur in Tornado Alley. Tornado Alley is made up of many central states.
EXAMPLES OF TORNADOES:
HOW DOES A TORNADO 
FORM?
A tornado forms when twisting air, or winds blowing in different directions, rises. As demostrated in the diagram below. The air twists, and gains power as it goes up into the thunderstorm. For a tornado to occur, a thunderstorm needs instability. Storm spotters, meterologists, TV station, and the ALAC Weather Service all look for this. The instability causes the updraft to occur which then forms the tornado. But, there is one other factor that must occur. The winds that are clashing can not be light, because otherwise we would have tornados all the time. The clashing winds MUST be at fast speeds. This is why many tornados form from Severe Thunderstorms because for a thunderstorm to be severe, it must have wind gusts greater than
58 MPH.
(Diagram by: tornadochasers.net)
WHAT TYPE OF ALERTS ARE ISSUED FOR TORNADOES BY THE NWS?
The National Weather Service issues TORNADO WATCHES AND WARNINGS. Now, let's get more in depth into these watches and warnings.
First, a tornado watch. Do you know where a tornado watch is issued? Well, a tornado WATCH is issued at the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK issues all weather watches in the United States. They determine if there is a great probiblity for severe weather to occur.
Second, a tornado warning. A tornado warning is issued by your local
National Weather Service Forecast Office.
(Example: National Weather Service Forecast Office in Sullivan, Wisconsin)
How do they know when to issue one? Well, they issue one if a tornado is immenent or when a Severe Storm Spotter (Most ALAC forecasters are) report a tornado, or if law enforcement/the public report a tornado. Dopplar radars do indicate tornados accuratly, however, they do not always touch the ground. Having dopplar radars help give the public warning before the tornado is on the ground. We have storm spotters to confirm the radar image meterologists are seeing.
WHAT TIME OF YEAR DO TORNADOES OCCUR?
Tornadoes occur year round, and can happen ANYWHERE!! However, tornadoes are most common during the spring and summer months.