National Weather Service, Newport, NC

Volume 8, Number1 (#30) February-May, 2001

Tornado    Facts

A tornado is a
violently rotating
column of air extending from a
thunderstorm to the ground

The average forward speed is 30 mph but may vary from nearly stationary to 70 mph

The strongest
tornadoes have
rotating winds of
more than 250 mph

Tornadoes can
accompany tropical storms and
hurricanes as they move onto land

Waterspouts are
similar to tornadoes and form over warm
water. They can
move onshore and cause damage to coastal
areas

Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year

Tornadoes are most likely to occur between
3 PM and 9 PM but can happen
at any time 

'Tis The Season To Be Thinking About
                 Tornadoes