Fast Facts about Tornadoes

Although tornadoes form all over the world, they are more frequent and stronger in US.

A tornado that forms over warm water is called a waterspout. The water in the spout comes from condensation, not from the water below.

When it forms over a desert, it’s called a dustdevil.

Neither are strong tornadoes.

The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 to 40 mph but can go as fast as 70mph and has rotational speed that can be more than 300mph.

Tornadoes can occur in series (one after another) and more than one can form from the same cloud system.

The worst series of tornadoes in history was on March 18, 1925. About 689 people were killed in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.

Usually in the northern atmosphere (above the equator) tornadoes turn counter-clockwise (left).In the southern hemisphere, tornadoes usually turn clockwise.

Tornadoes can be invisible!!! They appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up.

Tornadoes can be over a mile-wide or really skinny.

Tornadoes occur mostly in May. They occur the least in the months of January and February. Tornadoes occur most frequently during the middle and late afternoon.

Scientists can’t rate or know how strong a tornado is until after it is over.

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