What Causes Tornadoes? A Brief Understanding of Tornadoes

Tornadoes can be extremely destructive despite its short path and a few minutes duration. Each year, this weather event kills many people and destroys many houses. This ongoing threat often causes people to wonder, “What causes tornadoes?”

The formation of tornadoes is not a simple process. It requires many conditions. Moreover, the tornado formation process can generate different types of tornadoes. In some cases, the result of this process is extremely destructive, while at other times it results in non-destructive tornadoes.

What Causes Tornadoes?

The formation of tornadoes occurs only in specific seasons and areas. In the U.S., tornadoes typically happen in the Spring and Summer in a tornado-prone zone, Tornado Alley. This area covers several states, e.g., Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas.

Before tornadoes, a thick dark cloud usually hangs low in the sky. From this cloud, a rotating funnel of cloud will form, touch the ground, and travel for several kilometers. What causes tornadoes to form? The formation of tornadoes requires the conditions below.

1. Atmospheric Instability

What causes tornadoes? The main cause of this weather event is an atmospheric instability. This instability is the result of temperature differences and humidity differences in the lower and upper atmosphere. 

Before the tornado hits an area, the air is warm and moist in the lower atmosphere. Meanwhile, the thundercloud in the upper atmosphere pushes cool and dry air toward the ground.

2. Updrafts and Downdrafts of Air Currents

The updraft of air current causes the warm, moist air from the ground to flow strongly upward to the sky. On the other hand, the downdrafts of air current allow the cool air to flow downward strongly from the thundercloud.

Consequently, the two types of air currents meet in the atmosphere. Moreover, they create a column of air. This column of air will develop into a tornado if it meets a particular atmospheric condition.

3. Wind Shear

Wind shear is the third cause of tornadoes forming. This condition significantly contributes to the tornado development. It is one of the reasons why the meeting air spins. At first, the warm and cool air spins horizontally in the form of a column. 

After some time, the wind shear will transform the air column’s rotation so that the column rotates vertically. Later on, the column stretches downward until it touches the ground. 

4. Powerful Jet Stream

The formation of an extreme tornado relies on a powerful jet stream. It is the wind that blows extremely fast. Due to this strong wind, a tornado can rotate violently and has a destructive wind speed.

Tornado Types 

Tornadoes come in several types. Basically, they are grouped into two categories. Scientists differentiate them based on what cloud causes tornadoes.

1. Supercell Tornadoes

Supercell tornadoes are extremely dangerous. What makes tornadoes extreme? The development of these destructive tornadoes is almost similar to that of other tornado types. 

However, they come from the supercell thundercloud. This thunderstorm contains a constantly rotating updraft. The supercell thunderstorm is the cause of various extreme weather events, such as exceptionally large hail and heavy rain. In some areas, it can generate a supercell tornado.

2. Non-Supercell Tornadoes

The second category is non-supercell tornadoes. They come from a non-supercell thundercloud. This tornado type is not as common as the supercell tornadoes. 

Moreover, non-supercell tornadoes are not dangerous. They typically last only a few minutes. Non-supercell tornadoes come in several types, for example, landspouts, waterspouts, and line tornadoes.

Aside from the tornado types above, experts also categorize tornadoes based on the damage scale or estimated wind speed. They call it the Fujita Scale. 

This scale ranges from EF0 to EF5. The former indicates weak tornadoes with an estimated wind speed of less than 85 miles per hour. In addition, EF0 only causes light damage. On the other hand, the most dangerous one, the EF5, has a wind speed of 200 to 230 mph. Moreover, it can cause phenomenal damage.

Mitigating Tornado Risks

Since tornadoes can be extremely destructive, the government must be able to mitigate tornado risks. An excellent mitigation plan can help the government minimize fatalities due to this hazard. One of the steps to reduce tornado risk is adopting an effective tornado warning system.

This system can help the government disseminate tornado warnings as soon as the weather radar detects a tornado. Moreover, an effective system can deliver a tornado alert to numerous people within seconds. Therefore, people can instantly respond to this alert.

In addition, the government must improve the community’s preparedness for tornadoes. The government can educate communities on recognizing tornado signs, preparing a safe room, and staying safe during the hazard. Consequently, more people can avoid the dangerous impacts of tornadoes.

What causes tornadoes? Tornadoes will occur when specific conditions, such as atmospheric instability and wind shear, are met. Tornadoes from supercell thunderstorms can be damaging. Therefore, the government must use cell broadcasters from smsbroadcaster.com to effectively alert communities.