By Lisa Norkus Caron Barks Kelly Keane and

By: Lisa Norkus, Caron Barks, Kelly Keane and Marcus Deja

Video of Tornado n http: //video. google. com/videoplay? docid=583 6660232724964474&q=tornadoes&hl=en

What is a Tornado? Violent rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. n They can destroy large buildings, uproot trees and hurl vehicles hundreds of yards n Damage paths can be up to 1 mile wide and 50 miles long n Wind speeds can get up to 300 mph n

How Tornadoes Form: Change in wind direction n Increase in wind speed with increasing height creates an invisible, horizontal spinning effect in the lower atmosphere. n Rising air tilts rotating air to vertical n Forming area of rotation n

Actual Tornado Formation: Change in wind direction And increase in speed Rising air tilting vertically Forms area of rotation

Forms of Tornadoes n Waterspouts a weak tornado that forms over water n Most common over Gulf Coast n Sometimes can move inland effects can become damaging n

Effects of Tornadoes n Hail n n n Forms when small water droplets are caught in the updraft of a thunderstorm Lifted higher and higher into the sky until they turn into ice Once they become heavy they will start to fall Smaller particles get caught up again in updraft and lifted up until they are big enough The hail falls to ground

When are Tornadoes Most Likely to Occur? Can happen anytime of the year n Anytime of the day; most likely between 39 pm n Southern States: peak tornado season is March through May n Northern states: peak tornado season is the summer n

Where are Tornadoes Most Likely to Occur? Part of the US known as the Great Plains n Around 500 tornadoes occur in this area a year n Called “Tornado Alley” n

Be Aware! Tornado Watch- The conditions are right for a tornado in your area n Tornado Warning- A tornado is either on the ground or has been detected by the Doppler n

Scale of Tornado Intensity SCALE WIND SPEED POSSIBLE DAMAGE F 0 40 -72 mph Light damage: Branches broken off trees; minor roof damage F 1 73 -112 mph Moderate damage: Trees snapped; mobile home pushed off foundations; roofs damaged F 2 113 -157 mph Considerable damage: Mobile homes demolished; trees uprooted; strong built homes unroofed 158 -206 mph Severe damage: Trains overturned; cars lifted off the ground; strong built homes have outside walls blown away 207 -260 mph Devastating damage: Houses leveled leaving piles of debris; cars thrown 300 yards or more in the air 261 -318 mph Incredible damage: Strongly built homes completely blown away; automobile-sized missiles generated F 3 F 4 F 5

Tornado Safety n Before a Tornado: n n n Make a plan with your family or in your school Make sure everyone knows where to go Prepare a disaster kit n n n First aid kit Canned food Bottled water Battery operated radio Flashlight

During a Tornado n Go to basement n n n if you do not have a basement find a room without windows Get under a sturdy piece of furniture such as a table If you are in a car get out- do not try to out run a tornado in a car If you are outside go to ditch or low laying area and lie flat Stay away from fallen power lines and damaged areas

Tornado Safety at School Every school should have a disaster plan n Also have frequent drills n Once again use a basement n Schools without basements go to the lowest floor away from windows n Crouch down on your knees and protect your head with your arms n

After a Tornado Stay indoors until it is safe to come out n Check for injured or trapped people without endangering yourself n Watch out for down power lines n Use a flashlight to inspect your house n

Materials 2 2 -liter clear plastic pop bottles (empty and clean) n water n 1 -inch metal washer (if you have it) n duct tape or you can go to a science store and get a ‘tornado tube’ that will connect the 2 2 -liter bottles together n

Process n n n Fill one of the bottles two-thirds full of water Place the metal washer or twist the ‘tornado tube’ over the opening of the bottle Turn the second bottle upside down and place it on the washer or twist it on the ‘tornado tube’ Use the duct tape to fasten the two containers and the metal washer together. Make sure to tape tightly to make sure that no water will leak out when you turn the bottle over. If you use the ‘tornado tube’, just twist together tightly. Turn the tornado maker, so that the bottle with the water is on top. Swirl the bottle in a circular motion. A tornado will form in the top bottle as the water rushes into the bottom bottle. *If you want to get creative, you can also use food coloring to make the tornado have a color and glitter to represent debris.

Explanation n Swirling motion you give the bottle forms a vortex and is an easy way to create your tornado