As multiple states from Kentucky to Illinois and Arkansas experienced fatal tornadoes over the weekend, the U.S. maintains its top spot as the target for the highest number of tornadoes of any country in the world.
NOAA explains that tornadoes aren't well understood. Most destructive tornadoes happen from supercells, rotating thunderstorms with a well-defined circulation called a mesocyclone.
An analysis by The Washington Post also found that tornadoes tend to form where cold, dry air clashes with warm, humid air, mostly over the mid-latitudes. A sizable amount of the lower 48 states are right in the middle of this tornado zone.
The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, mid-level dry air coming in from the Rockies along with cold air coming in from the northern half of the country, makes for the perfect conditions to create a tornado.
NOAA also said that tornado season varies depending on which region of the country you're in.
No comments:
Post a Comment