Major h/t to maryabein for suggesting the idea for this diary in Nurse Kelley's Writing-A-Successful-Diary Diary. Thanks for the idea!
Chances are that if you live in the United States or Canada, you've been under a tornado watch or tornado warning at some point. When you hear this on the news, hundreds of questions may swirl through your head:
-What is a tornado?
-What is the difference between a tornado watch or tornado warning?
-What do I do during a tornado?
-Is Ceiling Cat mad at me?
Well, keep reading and you'll learn faster than John Boehner can scream HELL NO YOU CAN'T!
What is a tornado?
Let's start with the basics. When a thunderstorm develops, it needs to breathe, much like a human being. For the thunderstorm to develop and grow, it inhales. This column of air, the storm inhaling, is called an updraft. The air that the storm breathes in can do a few things. One thing the updraft can do is hit the top of the thunderstorm and spread out. This creates an anvil...clouds spreading out at the top of a thunderstorm to create the appearance of an anvil (pictured below). Once the air in the storm starts to sink, it creates a downdraft. Usually in the strongest part of the downdraft, you'll find the heaviest precipitation. This is the general cycle of a thunderstorm -- breathe in (updraft), savor the air (mmmm, air), spit it back out (downdraft) and rain on Sarah Palin's moose hunting excursion.
(Image Source -- Lovely diagram mine)
Now, I explained the anvil to you because when you see an anvil, you know that the thunderstorm has a strong and healthy updraft, and there is a good chance the storm will have strong winds, large hail and possibly a tornado. We'll get back to the updraft in a second. Now we're going to talk about wind shear. Wind shear is simply winds blowing in different directions at different heights. The below image shows that the winds at the surface are coming towards you, but as you go higher into the atmosphere, the winds shift direction.
(Image Source)
This concept of wind shear is very important to the development of a tornado. As you can see by my wonderful drawing that rivals the likes of Picasso, this wind shear creates a horizontal rolling motion in the atmosphere.
If the updraft (told ya it would come up again!) interacts with this rolling motion that the wind shear creates, the updraft will push one end of the rolling motion up and the other half will tilt towards the ground. When this happens, a tornado starts to develop.
What is the difference between a tornado WATCH and a tornado WARNING?
I hear this question more than I'd like, and even some news anchors and weather presenters get the difference between the two jumbled up sometimes.
A TORNADO WATCH means that conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. It doesn't mean that there is a tornado, it just means that there is a heightened risk of tornadoes in the watch area.
A TORNADO WARNING means that meteorologists at the National Weather Service have spotted rotation on a weather radar that indicates a tornado is possible or developing. Also, a tornado warning is issued if storm spotters, law enforcement, media or the public spots a tornado and reports it to 911 or the National Weather Service.
What do I do during a tornado?
- STAY CALM! If you panic, you could do something to endanger yourself or others.
- Do not try to outrun the tornado. Tornadoes are faster, bigger and stronger than you. They can change direction faster than Joe Lieberman on a piece of legislation.
- Seek shelter underground if possible. Basements are great, but not everybody has them. If you do happen to have a basement, stay away from water heaters, furnaces or any other gas or electric powered machinery you have in your basement. If your basement has an interior room (closet under stairwell, bathroom, etc), that's the best place to huddle.
- If you do not have a basement, seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest level of your home. Closets and bathrooms are usually your best bet. Just don't hide in your sword-and-bomb closet, please.
- If you live in a mobile home, go outside and seek shelter in a ditch or go into a sturdy building if you live very close to one (like, next door). Follow the instructions in number 6 below.
- If you are outside or driving during a tornado, pull over to the nearest ditch or culvert, get out of your car and lie down as low as possible in said ditch or culvert. I don't care if it's muddy and icky -- it's better than being dead, right? Staying as low as possible is best to protect you from the incredible winds and flying debris.
- DO NOT HIDE UNDER AN OVERPASS! Hiding in the girders/enclosed space under an overpass is the worst thing that you can do. The enclose space actually enhances and speeds up the winds, so it's actually worse than going out and standing directly in the path of the tornado. Also, you run the risk of the bridge collapsing on you. Just don't do it.
- Drop and tuck. If you went to school anywhere in the United States (well, maybe not), you had tornado drills. If not, the drop and tuck position is a simple way to keep yourself safe during a tornado. It may not be comfortable (especially if you're overweight like myself) but, again, it's better than being dead.
(Image source -- This is the drop and tuck position, the best way to protect yourself from flying debris in a tornado.)
- Do. Not. Ignore. Tornado. Warnings! That is one of the worst things you can do. If you hear a tornado warning on TV, radio or via tornado siren, take it seriously. Do not risk your life and your loved one's lives by assuming it's a false alarm.
Where do tornadoes occur?
Don't assume that because you live in Maine or Alaska or Germany or Bermuda that you can't have a tornado. Tornadoes have occurred in all 50 states, including major cities. Plus inCanada. And Europe. And Australia. And Bermuda. And South America. Just because you don't live in "tornado alley," you are not immune.
Is Ceiling Cat mad at me?
No, but from time to time He reminds us He is in control.
Some Helpful Links
Here are some great links to help you prepare for severe weather.
National Weather Service -- Great for weather forecasts and warnings.
Storm Prediction Center -- Great for severe weather outlooks and watches.
Weather Radio -- Excellent investment by the way!
FEMA tornado safety tips
Please help those affected by the tornado outbreak this past weekend by donating to either the Red Cross or the Salvation Army. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
American Red Cross Donation Page
Salvation Army Donation Page