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TORNADO PUBLIC SAFETY

METEOROLOGIST JEFF HABY

TORNADO DEFINITION:

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air, in association with a deep convective cloud, in direct contact with the earth's surface. The tornado is not just the visible condensation funnel but rather is the entire circulation of wind that makes up the vortex. It is the tornado's wind that primarily does damage rather than the rapid pressure change within the tornado. Tornado strength is defined by the damage it produces using the Fujita-Pearson damage scale. This scale is now replaced by using the Enhanced-Fujita scale which is also given below.

FUJITA-PEARSON SCALE

RATING WIND DAMAGE FREQ. OF ALL VERIFIED TORNADOES
F0 < 72 mph light 29%
F1 73 - 112 mph moderate 40%
F2 113 - 157 mph considerable 24%
F3 158 - 206 mph severe 6%
F4 207 - 260 mph devastating 1%
F5 261 + mph incredible 1/10th%


ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE

RATING Wind Estimate
EF0 65 - 85 mph
EF1 86 - 110 mph
EF2 111 - 135 mph
EF3 136 - 165 mph
EF4 166 - 200 mph
EF5 200+ mph



NOAA WATCH AND WARNING DEFINITIONS:

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH- The conditions are favorable for the development of thunderstorms that will contain hail = or > than 3/4" in diameter or convective wind gusts = or > than 58 mph. Severe thunderstorms are also capable of producing a tornado

TORNADO WATCH- The conditions are favorable for the development of tornadic storms

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING- A severe thunderstorm has been spotted by a valid storm spotter or there is strong evidence from radar data that a severe thunderstorm is occurring

TORNADO WARNING- A tornado has been spotted by a valid storm spotter or there is strong evidence from radar data that a tornado is occurring


TORNADO PREPARATION WHILE AT HOME:

1. If tornado warning is issued or you have evidence a violent storm is approaching, go to center most point in the building such as a closet or bathtub on the lowest floor (go to basement if there is one) and while covering yourself crouch down as low as possible.

2. Stay away from windows

3. Listen to battery operated NOAA weather radio for updates


TORNADO PREPARATION WHILE TRAVELING:

1. The most dangerous place to be when hit by a tornado is inside a motor vehicle

2. If a tornado is nearby, safely park the car and take shelter in the center of a sturdy building on the lowest floor. If there are no buildings around, take shelter in the lowest safe elevation in the immediate vicinity such as a ditch

3. Know the tornado threat that day before traveling. Do not drive into thunderstorms, especially on days in which a severe thunderstorm or tornado watch is in effect in or near the area

4. Listen to battery operated NOAA weather radio for updates


TORNADO MISCONCEPTIONS:

1. It is thought erroneously by some that areas near rivers, lakes and mountains are safe from tornadoes. Tornadoes can strike any location where strong thunderstorms can occur. There are no long term "force fields" that prevent tornadoes from striking a location in a region where strong thunderstorms can occur

2. The low pressure within a tornado was once thought to cause buildings to explode. This does not occur. It is of no benefit to open windows