Meet a Tornado

Name: Meet a Tornado
Uploaded: 2021-02-10T00:00:00+00:00
Description: Tornadoes are rotating columns of air that form from storm clouds and touch the ground, with the most powerful reaching winds of 200 miles per hour. This animated science video for children ages 5–10 explains what tornadoes are, why the US experiences more of them than anywhere else in the world, how to recognize a tornado alert, and where to shelter when one approaches.

This video is a part of Animated Atmosphere, a suite of short videos produced by the UCAR Center for Science Education with FableVision Studios.

Learn what makes a tornado a tornado, and how these powerful storms can cause property damage and are a threat to our safety.

Transcript

[0:07] Tornadoes or twisters are columns of dangerously fast rotating air formed from storm clouds.

[0:11] When the narrow end of the funnel touches ground, it becomes a tornado.

[0:14] This part of the funnel can be almost two miles wide.

[0:17] The most dangerous tornadoes have 200 mile per hour winds that can pick up and carry a house.

[0:21] Most are much smaller, but still dangerous.

[0:24] The majority of the world's tornadoes occur in the United States in an area called Tornado Alley.

[0:28] Tornado alerts are broadcast over radio, TV, smartphones, and with sirens.

[0:32] If a tornado approaches, shelter in a basement or interior room away from windows and doors.