CGF3MTues. Dec. 10, 2013

Tornadoes and Hurricanes

Also called a twister or cycloneA tornado is a powerful rotating column of air

extending from a thunderstorm to the ground, with updwards spiralling winds

Occur most frequently in late spring/ early summer, between 3-9 pm.

Found in Canada, Russia, China, Bangladesh, Argentina, Australia- but are most frequent in the US

More than 700 occur per year in the US

Tornadoes

Warm, moist air from Gulf of Mexico moves north and collides with polar air moving south from the Arctic

Creates instability in the atmosphere, leading to supercells

Tornado Alley

How a Tornado Forms

FLASH animation

Storm chasers spend up to 12 hours / day in a vehicle tracking down storms to study

Some use specially-designed vehicles that can actually enter a tornado to collect data and video

Inside a tornado- incredible video!

Dangers of storm chasing- 3 dead aftertracking- video

Tornado Chasers

The Fujita Scale ranks tornadoes according to wind speed, duration, and path of destruction

The path can be erratic and may suddenly change direction

Damage can extend anywhere from 15-450 kms in length, and can be 2 metres- 2 km wide

Approx. 80 tornadoes occur each year in Canada, 2 deaths

Before and after pictures- Joplin, MI

Destruction from a Tornado

Tornado watch- conditions are ripe for the development of a tornado… stay tuned.

Tornado warning- a funnel cloud has been spotted in the area. Take shelter!

Tornado Warning vs. Watch

Also known as typhoons, tropical cyclones, and willy-willies

Originate over the warm ocean in areas close to the Equator

Intro- video Read the article about recent Typhoon

Haiyan, answer questions

Tomorrow: Guest speaker!

Hurricanes