TornadoesPhoto courtesy of NOAA/SPC

Tornado FactsTornado FactsA tornado is a rotating column of air attached to a thunderstorm that comes in contact with the ground.

The most violent of all atmospheric events is the tornado.

On average, 800 to 1000 tornadoes occur in the U.S. each year.

Tornadoes occur in every state in the U.S.

Tornado winds reach 300 mph.

Tornado FactsTornado FactsTornadoes can be a mile or more wide.

Tornadoes can travel at speeds from almost stationary to 70mph.

The life of a tornado can exceed one hour.

Tornadoes most likely occur between 3 and 9 pm.

Tornadoes may appear transparent until dust and debris are picked up.

Tornado StrengthTornado Strength

F-0:F-0: 40-72 mph 40-72 mph– chimney damage, tree branches brokenchimney damage, tree branches broken

F-1:F-1: 73-112 mph 73-112 mph– mobile homes pushed off foundation or overturnedmobile homes pushed off foundation or overturned

F-2:F-2: 113-157 mph 113-157 mph– considerable damage, mobile homes demolished, trees considerable damage, mobile homes demolished, trees

uprooteduprootedF-3:F-3: 158-205 mph 158-205 mph– roofs and walls torn down, trains overturned, cars thrownroofs and walls torn down, trains overturned, cars thrown

F-4:F-4: 207-260 mph 207-260 mph– well-constructed walls leveledwell-constructed walls leveled

F-5:F-5: 261-318 mph 261-318 mph– homes lifted off foundation and carried considerable homes lifted off foundation and carried considerable

distances, autos thrown as far as 100 metersdistances, autos thrown as far as 100 meters

The strength of a tornado is determined by using the The strength of a tornado is determined by using the Fujita - Pearson Tornado ScaleFujita - Pearson Tornado Scale

Since 1950:Since 1950:

Tornadoes have caused over $25 billion in damage in the United States.

Tornadoes have injured over 80,000 people in the United States.

Tornadoes have killed over 4,500 people in the United States.

States Where Most States Where Most Tornadoes OccurTornadoes Occur

1.1. TexasTexas

2.2. OklahomaOklahoma

3.3. ArkansasArkansas

4.4. AlabamaAlabama

5.5. MississippiMississippi

6.6. IllinoisIllinois

7.7. MissouriMissouri

8.8. IndianaIndiana

9.9. LouisianaLouisiana

10.10.TennesseeTennessee

Tornado DamageTornado DamageOklahoma City May 8, 2003Oklahoma City May 8, 2003

Tornado ForecastingTornado ForecastingMeteorologists Meteorologists can predict severe storms and issue warnings that appear on

your television or computer screens