Some More Facts

The word or name Tornado derived from the Spanish word for thunderstorms, Tronada. A tornado is often is referred to a twister or a cyclone. The Glossary of Meteorology defines a tornado as "a violently rotating column of air, in contact with the ground."


Locations
Every Continent, other then Antarctica have had reports or evidence of Tornadoes, although the United States contain the most Tornadoes. This is because of North Americas unique Geography which extends from the tropical South to the Arctic North forming high and low pressures traveling up and down the Continent without mountain rage to the block the air currents. The Rocky Mountains block moisture and atmospheric flow, allowing drier air at mid-levels of the troposhere, and causing cyclogenesis downstream to the east of the mountains. The desert Southwest also feeds drier air and the dry line, while the Gulf of Mexico fuels abundant low-level moisture. The unique atmospheres of this area of the world allows for collisions of the warm and cool air which causes the majority of tornadoes throughout USA. Tornado Alley is the worst affected area.