Tornado Facts for 5th Graders

What Is a Tornado? 

Can you imagine looking out your window and seeing a fierce spinning column of air that stretches from a thunderstorm to the ground? The funnel-shaped column of air could appear in colors of yellow, orange, and even pink. This natural disaster is called a Tornado, which causes a lot of damage to human life and property. 

How Do Tornadoes Form? 

Tornadoes form when the following atmospheric conditions align: 

1. Temperature difference: When cold air is pushed over warm, humid air.
2. Wind direction and shear: When winds are different in speed and direction-slower at ground level and faster higher up, it creates wind shear in a thunderstorm. Wind shear is the change in wind speed and direction with height.
3. Powerful updraft:  When a Thunderstorm is powerful enough to create an updraft by lifting and rotating masses of air. An updraft occurs when warm air rises in a storm. 

Where Do Tornadoes Happen in the World?

Tornadoes occur throughout the world, in continents like: South America, Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, but these countries face a higher number of tornadoes per year:

• The United States of America, which encounters up to 1,200 Tornadoes per year. 
• China and Russia, which encounter up to 100 Tornadoes per year. 
• Canada and Mexico, which encounter roughly up to 50 Tornadoes per year. 

Where Do Tornadoes Happen in the United States?  

While other countries experience tornadoes, the United States has the most tornadoes in the entire world. This natural disaster occurs mostly in the area of the Great Plains which is also nicknamed “Tornado Alley”, It consists of these states:

1. Oklahoma 
2. Kansas 
3. Nebraska 
4. Texas Panhandle
5. Eastern South Dakota 
6.  Eastern Colorado plains 

Tornadoes can occur at any time throughout the year, but months of May and June are peak tornado season. During humid months, the air holds a large amount of water, while cold air moving from Canada clashes with warm air from the Gulf of Mexico, creating the perfect conditions for a tornado. 

Tornadoes are very common in these regions, which makes it essential to learn about staying safe during this natural disaster.  

How to Stay Safe During a Tornado?

Strong tornadoes can cause a lot of damage and pose a threat to lives, so it is crucial to take precautions to avoid danger. A Tornado Watch is an official statement by the weather agency that alerts the public about potential tornado atmospheres. A Tornado Warning on the other hand is when a tornado is sighted and the public needs to take action immediately. It is important to be aware of the difference between a tornado watch and a warning. 

These are a few essential things that you can do to prepare yourself before a tornado:

1. Stay alert and listen to the weather forecast during hostile weather.
2. Be prepared with an emergency kit that includes: water, flashlights, canned food, first aid kit, radio etc.
3. Not panicking and thinking swiftly, paired with planning ahead can save your life. 

These are things that you need to do during a tornado:

1. Get to a sturdy building in case you are outside, in a car or trailer home, as you are vulnerable in such places.
2. Get to a basement or a windowless room in the building, which can withstand high winds.  
3. Protect your head and neck by using your arms as a shield, you can also wear a safety helmet if available. 

What Does a Tornado Look Like? – Tornado Shape and Size

Tornadoes don’t look alike each and every time:

• They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. 
• They can look like a dark funnel of clouds that hangs from the sky. 
• They can be thin like a rope and as wide as a “wedge” (a triangular-shaped tool). 

How Strong Are Tornadoes? – Tornado Strength and EF Scale

Tornadoes are very strong and they can tear homes from the surface of the ground, swirl cars and cause much damage. In order to estimate wind speeds and damage a tornado could cause, Theodore Fujita created the “Fujita scale” in 1971. A revised version of the original scale was introduced in 2007 and it was called the “Enhanced Fujita scale”. 

The Enhanced Fujita Scale has seven categories:

How Long Do Tornadoes Last? – Tornado Duration and Distance

All tornadoes are different from each other; therefore the duration that they touch the ground varies. 

1. Most tornadoes last up to 10-20 minutes and every tornado’s intensity varies based on its speed and the damage it causes. 
2. The longest tornado ever recorded was the Tri-state tornado which lasted for 3.5 hours and traveled 359 kilometers (219 miles). 
3. The shortest tornado ever recorded was the Broke Bow, Nebraska tornado that only lasted for 2 seconds and traveled 16 metres (0.01 miles)

What Dangers Do Tornadoes Cause? 

Tornadoes are extremely dangerous because the high winds can cause damage such as:

• Knocking down power lines and huge trees.
• Tearing roofs off buildings.
• Flipping and carrying cars.

When the wind destroys and carries the damage it creates, it is called flying debris. It is very dangerous during the tornado’s active phase as well as when it dissipates. The flying debris can land anywhere at any time, which is why seeking shelter is important during a tornado, even a short one. 

Famous Tornadoes in United States History 

1. Tri-state Tornado, 1925:

• The 1925 tornado struck on March 18, 1925 affecting the areas of Eastern Missouri, Southern Illinois and Southern Indiana.
• The tornado is not officially classified, but it is commonly accepted as an F5 tornado. 
• It covered 352 kilometers (219 miles)  and stayed on the ground for roughly 3.5 hours. 
• The natural disaster injured 2,027 people and took the lives of 695. 
• The total damage cost of the tornado is estimated to be $17 million (according to 1925 USD)

2. Bridge Creek Tornado, 1999:

• This tornado struck Oklahoma and its surrounding areas on May 3, 1999. 
• The tornado was classified as an F5 tornado on the “Fujita scale”.
• It covered 61 kilometers (38 miles) and stayed on the ground for roughly 85 minutes. 
• The natural disaster injured 293 people and took the lives of 36. 
• The total damage cost of the tornado is estimated to be $1 billion (according to 1999 USD).

3. Joplin Tornado, 2011:

• This tornado struck the city of Joplin, Missouri on May 11, 2011. 
• The tornado was Classified as an EF5 tornado on the “Enhanced Fujita scale”. 
• It covered 34.79 kilometers (21.63 miles) and stayed on the ground for about 32 minutes. 
• The natural disaster injured 1,150 people and took the lives of 158.  
• The total damage cost of the tornado is estimated to be $2.9 billion. 

4. Moore Tornado, 2013

• The 2013 tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma on May 20, 2013. 
• The tornado was classified as an EF5 tornado. 
• It covered 22.3 kilometers (13.85 miles) and stayed on the ground for approximately 39 minutes. 
• The natural disaster injured 212 people and took the lives of 24.  
• The total damage cost of the tornado is estimated to be $2 billion. 

Facts About Tornadoes for 5th Graders

• Tornadoes are also called twisters. 
• Did you know tornadoes are strong enough to pull water from an entire river bank. 
• Are you aware that tornadoes occur on other planets like Mercury as well?
• Areas like Texas and Oklahoma experience the most tornadoes per 10,000 square miles.
• Highest wind speed recorded of a tornado was 321 miles per hour (517 kilometers per hour).

Conclusion – Why Should We Learn About Tornadoes?

It is crucial to learn about tornadoes as it can save your life by planning ahead, especially if you live in vulnerable areas like “Tornado Alley. Being prepared and informed through learning the difference between alerts like the “Tornado Watch” and “Tornado warning” can help you to take action in time and safeguard yourself and your family. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

External Links

National Geographic Kids – Tornado Facts

NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory – Tornado Basics

Britannica Kids – Tornado

Weather.gov – Tornado Safety Tips

Encyclopedia Britannica – Enhanced Fujita Scale

American Meteorological Society – Tornado Facts

History.com – Tri-State Tornado of 1925

FEMA – How to Prepare for a Tornado