Weather awareness segment: Tornadoes
Tornadoes, the planets most dangerous weather phenomenon. They can arrive at all hours of the day wreaking havoc across its path and leaving nothing but destruction behind. They can range from just 100 yards wide to as large as 2.5 miles wide and can last anywhere from a few seconds to perhaps a few hours on the rarest occasion. And wind speeds can go as high as 300 mph.
Tornadoes are violent rotating columns of air that extend from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground, and they need a few ingredients to form. First is warm moist air usually from the Gulf of Mexico. The second is drier and cooler air from the north. When these two air masses clash it creates lift within the atmosphere. Wind speeds begin to shift with height and then rotate.
They aren’t very common on Delmarva but they do occur occasionally. MD averages 7 tornadoes per year, VA averages 11, and DE averages 1 per year. That’s just a fraction of what the United States sees as a whole which is around 1,000 per year.
Some schools on Delmarva participate in tornado drills in order to make sure the students and staff are fully prepared in case of a touchdown. Pinehurst Elementary participated in such a drill back in early April. Tim Peake is a teacher at Pinehurst and says the students safety is their top priority; these drills can help prepare them in a worst case scenario.
Not only should schools be prepared, but so should your home and business. If you’re inside as a tornado approaches, go to an interior room away from windows, get to the lowest part of your house or in a bathroom, and try to have a plan with family in case of a disaster.
In a worst case scenario if you’re stuck on the road in your car. You can do one of two things: stay in the car, buckle up and keep your head below the windows, or the best case is to actually exit your vehicle and go into a low-lying ditch if available and be sure to cover your head for safety.
A Tornado Watch is issued when the conditions are favorable for a tornado and a Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado has been spotted, so you must take cover immediately.
The difference between knowing and not knowing what to do during a tornado emergency can mean life or death.
