Book 7, Question 37
Why Do Tornadoes Spin?
A tornado is a spinning column of air that reaches from a storm cloud to the ground. It starts with winds that blow in different directions at different heights. Under the right conditions, that spin can tilt upright inside a storm.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 7
More fun facts
- The most destructive tornadoes come from supercells, which are rotating thunderstorms.
- The spinning part of a supercell is called a mesocyclone.
- Wind is invisible, so you usually see a tornado only when it forms a funnel of water droplets, dust, and debris.
- Tornadoes can touch the ground without a full funnel. Dust and debris swirling on the ground can be the only clue.
- Scientists still don't fully understand exactly how tornadoes form.
- About 1,200 tornadoes hit the United States each year.
- Tornadoes have been reported in all 50 states, and in many other countries, including Argentina and Bangladesh.
Sources: NOAA
Questions kids ask
What kind of storm makes the strongest tornadoes?
Supercells, which are thunderstorms that rotate.
How many tornadoes happen in the U.S. each year?
About 1,200.