Tornado Variations

Multiple Vortex
Multiple Vortex are tornadoes with with two or more spouts, columns of spinning air. Multiple Vortex's can occur in almost any tornado, however they are seen more commonly in large tornadoes, often making them more destructive.


Some tornadoes may form during the early stages of rapidly developing thunderstorms. This type of tornado is most common along the front range of the Rocky Mountains, the Plains, and the Western States.
Tornadoes may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up.
Occasionally, two or more tornadoes may occur at the same time.


Satellite Tornadoes
Satellite Tornadoes are weaker tornadoes which form next to a larger tornado and orbits the larger tornado. often a satellite tornado is confused with a multi-vortex however a satellite has its own distinct column.


Land Spout
A land spout also known as a dust tube, are consitant with characteristics of a water spout in being a weaker tornado with a short life span. It forms without the force of a full storm.










Waterspout
Waterspouts are weak tornadoes that form over warm water, these are most common along the Gulf Coast and southeastern states. In the western United States, they occur with cold late fall or late winter storms, during a time when you least expect tornado development.
Waterspouts occasionally move inland becoming tornadoes causing damage and injuries.



Dust Devil
Dust devils are very similar to tornadoes in the sense that they are swirling columns of air yet a lot weaker then the weakest tornadoes. They form when a strong convective updraft is formed near the ground on a hot day. These dust devils only occur in the better weather resulting in them not being classes as tornadoes.







Fire Whirl

Fire whirls occurs during forest fire from the updraft. The firle whirls are only considered a form of tornado when it reachs and join the clouds. Like dust devils fire whils are not as strong as weak thunder storm tornadoes however due to their fire content they can be just as destructive.