Monday, May 30, 2011

Why do tornadoes and hurricanes twirl?

     Just like the other post below, the Coriolis Effect makes a huge impact on a hurricane, from all the winds blowing in from different directions. It takes it in the different winds, and as it goes longer and longer in the ocean, it gets bigger and bigger, causing it to twirl and move in the direction of the winds. The Coriolis effect plays a major role with the hurricanes, but what about a tornado?
     A tornado can be effected a little by the Coriolis Effect, but not like a hurricane. Instead, the rotation of tornadoes is mostly from wind differences in the speed and direction of the wind at different heights and angles. This causes wind and air to move in a horizontal way. The horizontal movement is turned into a vertical movement by thunderstorm updraft, and then it gets more intense, and forms a twirling tornado. 
     In all, the hurricane and tornado are both generally caused from the same thing, the Coriolis Effect, just not as much as each other.
The tornado wouldn't be possible if it didn't have winds and twirling, and a hurricane wouldn't be possible without the Coriolis Effect, winds, and twirling.
Below is a map of the places where different tornadoes have hit:

1 comment:

  1. this is very good information.The coriolis effect makes a big impact on alot of things not only tornadoes and hurricanes it affects the weather to.

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