Tornadoes

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Tornadoes
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WHAT IS A TORNADO?
Tornadoes are EVIL!

• A tornado is a violent windstorm characterized
  by a twisting, funnel shaped cloud traveling from
  a thunderstorm to the ground.

Drew, the Meteorologist says
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Tornadoes
Wow it is windy!! Did you know tornadoes have
occurred in every state??
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Where does the word tornado come from?

• The word tornado comes from the Spanish verb
  tornar meaning to turn.

Come on now! I think this wind is turning me so
fast that I might end up in the Wizard of Oz!
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What seasons do tornadoes most often occur in?
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Spring and Summer
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What time of the day do most tornadoes occur at?
Jordyn.I am not sure, maybe Michael knows.
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Well, Jordyn according to Scientist Moak, they
are most likely to occur between 300pm and
900pm, especially in April, May, and June!
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Miss Moak is such a FANTASTIC teacher! I love
how she teaches about severe weather!!
Are tornadoes BAD?

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• They do cause destruction, but they are also
  important to the earths weather patterns. A
  tornado helps let off pressure that builds up in
  the atmosphere. In addition, the storms that
  produce tornadoes often bring much needed rain.

No more wind PLEASE!
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Lets talk about the 3 types of Tornadoes.

• The three types are
• Weak
• Strong
• Violent

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Bradley Melissa, I CHOOSE YOU!
I choose you!
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What are the Three types of tornadoes again?
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How do Scientists decide if a tornado is weak,
strong, or violent?
I bet they use a scale like they do for floods!
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They do use a scale Shawn!! They use the
Fajita-Pearson Scale of Tornado Intensity.
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The scale is measured by intensity. It starts at
an F0 which is a Gale tornado only about
40mph-72mph. The scale extends all the way until
an F5 which is an incredible tornado that can
lift houses. The winds speeds are from
261-318mph.
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Mr. Campos reviews the scale with us

• Ranges from F0-F5
• Weak Tornadoes characterized as F0
• Most Violent characterized as F5
• Most Tornadoes F0-F1
• Massively Destructive F-5, less than 2

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Weakusually winds spin at 112 miles per hour,
they leave behind a path of damage less than
three miles long and fifty miles wide.
Stronghave winds ranging from 113 to 206 miles
per hour. These tornadoes average a path of
about nine miles long and 200 miles
wideViolentwinds ranging from 207 miles per
hour and may last several hours.
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Nicky the Meteorologist says

• Tornadoes form in the following sequence
• Cool air pushes against warm air
• As the cool air presses forward, it slides
  underneath the warm air
• The warm air is pushed upward, and water droplets
  form
• Fast-growing clouds take shape

Me, me! Pick me!
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Melissa the Meteorologist says
So thats why my mom doesnt want me outside
during a thunderstorm!
Once the thunderhead forms rising air in the
thunderhead can start rotating. The spinning air
acts as a vacuum cleaner sucking the warm air up.
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Look at that Funnel Cloud
This looks beyond any severe weather I have ever
seen.
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Patrick the Meteorologist says
The deadliest US tornado on record was on March
1925. It killed 695 people.
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Hannah says
OH Patrick! Dont go scaring the kids with all
your extreme weather facts!
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Lets see where in the United States most
tornadoes occur.
Waah! Im scared! I really hate getting spun
around!
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Tornado Alley-averaging 500 tornadoes annually
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Chris Michael,
I choose you!
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What continent is the tornado alley located in?
Now dear, maybe we should give them a hint.
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NORTH AMERICA
Look, there I live on it! Phew am I relieved!
Im not far from home.
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I heard an interesting fact. Tornadoes in the
Northern Hemisphere spin counter clockwise and
tornadoes in the Southern Hemisphere spin
clockwise.
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Tornadoes can be various colors. If they are
illuminated by the sun, they appear to be white
like other clouds. When filled with soil and
debris, they appear to be shades of black, dark
brown, gray, or even red.
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A tornado that forms over water is called a
waterspout. They are usually weaker than land
tornadoes, and form in fair weather.
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Engineers have studied the damage to many
buildings as a result of tornadoes.
Hallways provide the greatest safety in schools,
while gyms with large ceilings and classrooms
with outside walls are the most dangerous.
Shh! Quiet! Im trying to learn!
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What happens if there is a tornado warning??
Stay tuned to the radio or TV, get to the
basement or a shower stall. Remember to stay away
from windows and dont come out until the warning
is called off.
Wait, Im confused! Should we do that now?
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Lets clarify the differences between Tornado
watches and warnings!
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Tornado watch vs. Tornado warnings
Tornado watch The forecasters use satellite
pictures and weather tools to predict severe
thunderstorms, with tornadoes to follow..then
they issue a tornado or severe thunderstorm
watch. Tornado warning A tornado has been
spotted. The National Weather service is
informed as well as the civil defense, state
police, and the public.
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Tornado Vocabulary
UpdraftWinds blown upward towards the
sky DowndraftWinds blown down towards the
Earth SupercellA thunderstorm with a constant
updraft
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Miss Moak the teacher says

• I can feel us getting near the end so lets have
  a final review

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What is a Tornado?
Miss Moaks class, get ready
Ooo! Can I call on someone?
Hey, whered he come from?
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Ariel Drew, youre up!

• Excellent!

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Where do most tornadoes in the United States
occur?
Um, is that a trick question?
(Get ready Nicky Ryan)
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I know it is not the northeast!
SUPERB! Last question

• Shannon Katie what months do tornadoes most
  likely occur in?

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Fantastic job everyone! You are now TORNADOES
Experts! Thats all folks!