Tornado 101
What kind of storm is most likely to produce a tornado?
What is a supercell thunderstorm?
- A massive, rotating storm that has the perfect conditions for tornado formation -
What’s the first thing you should do when you hear a tornado siren?
What is take shelter?
- The lowest level of the building, in a small, windowless room like a bathroom, closet, or hallway. If possible, cover yourself with a mattress or heavy blankets to protect from debris -
If the sky suddenly turns a greenish color, what could it mean?
What is a severe thunderstorm is near?
- A greenish sky often indicates the presence of hail or a rotating storm, both of which can signal that a severe thunderstorm or tornado is approaching -
You can outrun a tornado in a car.
Myth
- Tornadoes can travel faster than most cars, and trying to outrun them is dangerous -
What is the largest tornado ever recorded?
BONUS: How wide was it?
What is the El Reno Tornado on May 31, 2013?
- This tornado had a width of 2.6 miles, making it the widest tornado ever observed. It was rated EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita scale and had winds estimated to reach up to 295 mph. Despite its massive size, it caused fewer fatalities than other tornadoes, but it remains one of the most powerful and wide tornadoes in history -
What color is a tornado?
What is white?
- Debris, dirt, and dust is what makes it appear brown or grey -
What emergency kit items are essential to have on hand during tornado season?
DAILY DOUBLE!!
What is a flashlight, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered weather radio, important documents (like IDs or insurance papers), extra clothing, a whistle, personal hygiene items, cash, and a portable phone charger?
If you notice an eerie calm/dead stillness/static electricity in the air, what is that a warning of?
What is a tornado is about to hit?
- Calm winds often occur right before the tornado touches down. Seek shelter immediately -
A tornado always has to touch the ground to be considered a tornado.
Myth
- A funnel cloud is the rotating column of air that hasn't touched the ground, and it can still develop into a tornado -
How many tornadoes hit Oklahoma each year?
BONUS: When is "tornado season"?
What is about 60 to 70 tornadoes a year?
What is late March - late June?
What’s the name of the cloud formation that looks like a big, low, spinning base, often seen just before a tornado?
What is a wall cloud?
- A large, low-hanging cloud that appears beneath the base of a supercell thunderstorm and rotates slowly. It often indicates that conditions are favorable for tornado formation, as it’s the area where a tornado is most likely to develop -
What should you do if you’re caught outside with no shelter available during a tornado?
What is lie down in a low area, like a ditch, and cover your head with your arms to protect yourself from flying debris?
If you see a red or purple coloring on a radar screen during a storm, what is it likely indicating?
What is heavy rain, strong winds, or hail?
Opening windows before a tornado helps to equalize pressure and prevent damage.
Myth
- Opening windows does not reduce damage and may increase the risk of debris entering your home -
What was the deadliest tornado in history?
BONUS: What year was it?
BONUS: How many people died?
What is the Tri-State Tornado
- Tri-state areas of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana in 1925, which killed 695 people.
What do we call the spinning column of air inside a storm before it reaches the ground?
What is a funnel?
- A rotating column of air that extends from the base of a thunderstorm but doesn't make contact with the ground, though it can eventually develop into a tornado if it touches down -
If a tornado doesn’t seem to be moving across the sky, what does that likely mean?
What is it's moving towards you?
- You cannot outrun a tornado—the best course of action is to take shelter in a sturdy building or, if you're in a car, drive at right angles to the tornado's path to get away from it -
How do you know if it will be a severe weather day?
What is watch for weather alerts like watches or warnings, look for dark clouds or storm clouds, notice if the wind picks up or shifts, and pay attention to warm, humid air, have a safety plan in place
The only place in the world where tornadoes occur is Tornado Alley.
Myth
- While tornadoes can occur anywhere in the world, the central U.S., known as Tornado Alley, experiences some of the strongest, deadliest, most frequent tornadoes -
What tornado recorded the highest wind speeds on Earth?
BONUS: What is the wind speed?
What is the 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore tornado?
- The highest wind speed ever recorded was 318 miles per hour (512 km/h). This was during the May 3, 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This tornado was rated EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, the highest rating, and it caused widespread destruction -
Which two types of air collide to create the right conditions for a tornado?
What is moist & dry (cold front & dry line)?
- When warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico meets cool, dry air from the north, the contrasting temperatures and humidity levels create instability in the atmosphere, which is perfect for tornado formation -
Where should you NOT take shelter if you are outside?
What is under a bridge or overpass?
- The wind can actually funnel and increase in speed under a bridge, making it more dangerous -
What time of the day are tornadoes most likely to produce and be more severe?
What is tornadoes are most likely to form in the afternoon and evening, typically between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.?
- This is when the atmosphere is most unstable, with warm, moist air meeting cooler, drier air, creating the conditions for tornadoes to develop -
You can tell the strength of a tornado just by looking at it.
Myth
- Tornadoes vary in size and appearance, and the Enhanced Fujita (EF 1 - EF5) scale is used to measure their strength based on damage -
Which major landmarks were affected by the May 20, 2013 Moore tornado, including schools and homes?
What is Plaza Towers Elementary School and the Briarwood neighborhood?
- The tornado destroyed the school’s roof, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven children, while the Briarwood neighborhood suffered complete destruction of homes. The devastation led to long-term recovery efforts and increased focus on improving tornado safety in schools and residential areas -