Its whipping fury devours all in its path, destructive in form, these natures violent storms are likely to get more dangerous. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.
Meteorologists conducting a new study do not rule out the possibility of dreaded tornadoes killing thousands and causing widespread damage. The damage would be most devastating in densely populated cities where old and new buildings converge.
The research uses latest data from close-up measurements of low level winds in tornadoes. But with a longer warning time, we are likely to be more prepared.
What causes tornadoes?
Thunderstorms develop in warm, moist air in advance of eastward-moving cold fronts. These thunderstorms often produce large hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. Tornadoes in the winter and early spring are often associated with strong, frontal systems that form in the Central States and move east. Occasionally, large outbreaks of tornadoes occur with this type of weather pattern. Several states may be affected by numerous severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.
Cities that may be likely to be hit by tornadoes are Chicago, Dallas, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Atlanta and Houston.The thing for concern here is that emergency planners will not be ready for a catastrophe, similar to the scale of Hurricane Katrina aftermath.
Even now key development in tornado functioning remain elusive, with changing weather conditions it will become even more difficult to make accurate predictions about them. Since it remains difficult to predict which storm will produce a tornado. But emergency planners do need to gear up.
Source: Discovery