Tornadoes
Tornadoes are nature’s most violent wind, and, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating natural disasters that occur on Earth. ... In order to understand tornadoes more, you need to focus on how they are formed, where and when they occur, and precautions you can take to keep yourself safe from them. ... A low level jet of warm, humid air blowing from the south only 3,000 to 5,000 feet above the ground helps supply the violent thunderstorms that can form tornadoes. ... Tornadoes form in the air rising into a thunderstorm, in the updraft. The strongest tornadoes occur frequently near the edge of the updraft, not far from where air is descending from the thunderstorms. ... On average, about 1,000 tornadoes occur each year in the USA and can produce wind speeds faster than 250 mph. Tornadoes will normally only stay on the ground for no more than 20 minutes, and can damage paths of more than one mile wide and 50 miles long. The normal direction tornadoes take is from southeast to northwest, but they have been known to move in other directions. ... Tornadoes occur more in the USA than in any other country. ... Later on in the year, tornadoes occur farther north on the Plains and in the Midwest.