Random Fun Facts: Tornado
tor·na·do noun \tȯr-ˈnā-(ˌ)dō\
Being astounded by fun facts, I decided to share my findings with everyone. Sometimes I come across this information online, via television, books, word-of-mouth, etc. You get the point. This material is basically what I find interesting and it has caught my attention for one reason or another, usually at random. Enjoy!
Random Fun Facts: Tornadoes
This post may not be very random, after all with the recent events of the Moore, Oklahoma tornado destruction. On Monday, May 20, 2013 a devastating EF5 tornado struck down Moore, Oklahoma, with winds of more than 210 miles per hour. This natural disaster caused at least 23 deaths, more than 100 rescued, 237 injured and as many as 20,000 families displaced. According to Fox News, this tornado is placed in the same class as the deadliest in United States history. The one who owns this title hit Joplin, Missouri in 2011. That twister killed more than 158 and injured hundreds. As per Fox News:
An EF-5 is as bad as it gets,” said Joe D’Aleo, co-chief forecaster for WeatherBell Analytics. “It’s equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane. It means winds were more than 200 miles per hour, and it means you have to be underground, because there will be nothing left above ground.
While reading about recent tornado destruction, I found some really intriguing information. Now I am no weather expert, so I am hoping all this information is one hundred percent accurate.
- In the last 63 years, only 59 EF-5 tornadoes have touched down in the U.S.
- One-tenth of a percent of all tornadoes are ranked an EF-5
- Most powerful twisters cause 20% of all tornado damage & destruction
- United States has the most powerful tornadoes
- On the average, tornadoes only last a few minutes
- Every tornado is unique – its own color, sound, shape
- Tornadoes have been reported in every state during every season
- Most tornadoes occur between 3 pm and 9 pm – although they can strike at any time
Pennsylvania Tornadoes
- 1985 had the largest EF-4 tornado in Centre County (Moshannon Tornado) – only 10 reported since 1950
- Since 1950 only 650 tornadoes reported in PA
- In Pennsylvania, a tornado bigger than EF-2 is rare
- There have been a tornado reported in every month of the year in PA
- The strongest storms happen in May
- Severe weather primary time in PA is from April 27th to September 5th
- The peak time of severe weather in PA is between July 1st through July 8th
Take from Weather Wiz Kids:
