Figure 7.1

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Tornadoa rapidly rotating column of air that
descends from a large
thunderstorm

• (from the Spanish
• "tronada", meaning thunderstorm)

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funnel clouds avg. forward
speed 30 mph max. forward speed 70 mph
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World Tornado Distribution
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Figure 7.20
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• zone of most frequent tornadoes
• shifts northward from March to June

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• tornadoes that touchdown typically
• stay on ground for

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Figure 7.1
the largest and deadliest single tornado in
history
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Tri-State tornado

• 1 mile wide path of destruction 219 miles long
• 689 people killed

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of tornadoes (see Table 7.1 in text)
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• 147 tornadoes in 16 hours
• across 13 states (335 deaths)
• six F-5 tornadoes (since 1950
• there have been only 55
• F5 tornadoes in the US)

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MYTH or TRUTH?

• Areas near lakes, rivers, and mountains are safe
• from tornadoes.

• Windows should be opened before a tornado
  approaches to
• equalize the pressure, and keep houses from
  exploding.

• If you are driving and a tornado is sighted, you
  should turn and drive
• at right angles to the storm.

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MYTH or TRUTH

• Large cities are not at danger from tornadoes

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Reduction in the number of tornado deaths after
1950 is attributed to
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Since 1982, successful tornado forecasts have
increased and false alarms have declined. This
is due mainly to the advent of
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TORNADO SAFETY
Before severe weather strikes

• Identify a safe room (basement or interior room)

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WATCHES AND WARNINGS
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If tornado warning is issued for your area

• Leave mobile homes and go to nearest sturdy
  shelter
• If caught outside in a tornado, lay flat in a
  ditch or low spot

(flying debris is the cause of most tornado
deaths)
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Tornadoes preferentially kill
3. Occupants of exterior rooms with windows 4.
Those unaware of broadcast tornado warnings
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TENNESSEE TORNADOES
Middle Tennessee Tornado Database
http//www.srh.noaa.gov/ohx/tornado.html
Middle Tennessee April 2006 tornado outbreak