Twisters! Tornadoes!

Introduction

It's a big twister! Are you located in a likely state for a tornado to strike? Nature's most violent storms are tornadoes. Discover interesting facts about them. Use the questions and links below to increase your knowledge about these fierce and damaging storms. It could save you and your family someday.

Questions

1. What is a tornado?
2. How are the tornadoes in different categories different?
3. What does the word tornado mean?
4. How are updrafts and vortexes related?
5. What kinds of situations create tornadoes?
6. What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?
7. Click on the Fujita scale. How is the information on the Fujita Pearson scale different from the tornado categories?
8. Which state has the most tornadoes? How many do they have?
9. Which states have no deaths due to tornadoes?
10. How many of the states which have the largest number of tornadoes are in the middle of the United States between Mexico and Canada? List the states.
11. Are tornadoes able to be detected or predicted? Explain how or why.
12. List three safety measures one should take if one is in the path of a tornado.
13. How fast do tornadoes move?
14. What is the difference between a tornado and a funnel cloud? How should a funnel cloud be treated?

Internet Resources

• Tornadoes - What are they?
• Introduction to Tornadoes
• Tornadoes - Natures Most Violent Storms
• Tornado Statistics
• Questions and Answers about Tornadoes

The Big Picture

What are he five important things to know about tornadoes?

OR

Design a presentation to explain the facts, dangers and safety advice about tornadoes for your class, school or family. You can make a PowerPoint presentation, an Inspiration chart to go along with an oral report, or act as a TV broadcaster using the computer to illustrate your points.