A tornado, also known as a twister, is a rapidly rotating column of air that extends vertically from the surface of the Earth to the base of a cumulonimbus or cumulus cloud. [1] Tornadoes are often (but …

If it is in contact with the ground it is a tornado; otherwise it is a funnel cloud. Dust and debris beneath the condensation funnel confirm a tornado's presence. Be careful! Tornadoes can form and be in …

Nov 25, 2025 · Tornado, a small-diameter column of violently rotating air developed within a convective cloud and in contact with the ground. Tornadoes occur most often in association with thunderstorms …

Aug 28, 2019 · What is a tornado? A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. It’s often portended by a dark, greenish sky. Black storm clouds gather.

Tornadoes are some of the most destructive forces of nature. Learn how tornadoes form, how they are rated, and the country where the most intense tornadoes o...

Jun 16, 2025 · A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a cumulonimbus cloud and touching the ground. Born from powerful thunderstorms, these awe-inspiring yet destructive forces of …

Given the right conditions, some thunderstorms can produce tornadoes, whirling columns of air that spin up to 500 kilometers (300 miles) per hour.

Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still. A cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible.

May 14, 2025 · What is a Tornado? A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground, and can reach wind speeds over 200 miles per hour. More violent …

Jul 12, 2022 · Tornadoes, sometimes called twisters or whirlwinds, are intense vortices stretching from the Earth’s surface to the base of stormy, cumulonimbus clouds – these clouds extend deeply in the …