DISCOVER TYPES OF TORNADO

Tornadoes come in various shapes, sizes, and intensities, and are classified based on their characteristics, wind speed, and impact. Here's an overview of different types of tornadoes:

### 1. **Supertornado**

Supertornadoes are extremely rare and powerful tornadoes that have wind speeds exceeding 300 mph (480 km/h). They often have a wide, violent funnel and can cause catastrophic damage over a large area. These tornadoes are capable of destroying entire neighborhoods, uprooting massive trees, and even hurling large vehicles long distances. Supertornadoes fall under the highest category on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale—EF5.

### 2. **EF0 - Weak Tornado**

EF0 tornadoes are the least intense on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with wind speeds ranging from 65 to 85 mph (105 to 137 km/h). These tornadoes usually cause minimal damage, such as bending or breaking small trees and pushing over unsecured objects. They are typically short-lived and can sometimes be hard to detect due to their relatively low wind speeds.

### 3. **EF1 - Moderate Tornado**

With winds ranging from 86 to 110 mph (138 to 177 km/h), EF1 tornadoes cause moderate damage, such as tearing roofs off buildings, uprooting larger trees, and breaking windows. These tornadoes are more noticeable and can cause significant disruption, though they tend to last for a shorter duration compared to stronger tornadoes.

### 4. **EF2 - Significant Tornado**

EF2 tornadoes have winds between 111 to 135 mph (178 to 217 km/h). These tornadoes are capable of causing considerable damage, such as ripping off roofs, overturning cars, and uprooting large trees. The destruction they cause can affect entire communities, though they are not as destructive as EF3 or stronger tornadoes.

### 5. **EF3 - Severe Tornado**

With wind speeds ranging from 136 to 165 mph (218 to 266 km/h), EF3 tornadoes are capable of devastating buildings, destroying houses, and tossing heavy objects, like cars, around. These tornadoes are typically more destructive and longer-lasting, creating large paths of destruction that can affect entire towns or regions.

### 6. **EF4 - Violent Tornado**

EF4 tornadoes have winds ranging from 166 to 200 mph (267 to 322 km/h). They cause extreme damage, including the complete destruction of well-built houses and large structures. These tornadoes can hurl vehicles like toys and leave a trail of devastation that can be several miles long. People caught in an EF4 tornado are at great risk of injury or death.

### 7. **EF5 - Incredible Tornado**

EF5 tornadoes, the most intense on the Fujita scale, have wind speeds greater than 200 mph (322 km/h). These are the most catastrophic tornadoes, capable of obliterating entire communities. Structures are completely leveled, vehicles are thrown for miles, and the landscape can be reshaped by the sheer force of the winds. EF5 tornadoes, though rare, leave a lasting impact on the affected areas.

### 8. **Waterspouts**

A waterspout is a tornado that forms over a body of water, typically a lake or ocean. Waterspouts can be weak or strong, ranging from an EF0 to an EF3. They can be particularly dangerous to ships, boats, and coastal areas. Waterspouts can sometimes evolve into land tornadoes if they move inland.

### 9. **Landspouts**

Landspouts are similar to waterspouts but form over land. They are typically weaker tornadoes (EF0 to EF1) and occur in conditions where there are significant temperature differences between the ground and the atmosphere. These tornadoes are often short-lived but can still cause minor damage.

### 10. **Twin Tornadoes**

Twin tornadoes are two tornadoes that form simultaneously and travel together in the same storm system. They can be particularly destructive if both tornadoes are of significant strength (EF2 or higher). Though rare, they are visually striking and can cause devastating damage due to their dual force.

### 11. **Multi-Vortex Tornadoes**

Multi-vortex tornadoes have multiple smaller vortices within the larger tornado structure. These smaller vortices can cause more localized damage but are part of the same overall storm system. The multiple vortices can make these tornadoes appear to be larger and more chaotic, increasing the risk of destruction.

### 12. **Gustnadoes**

A gustnado is a short-lived, weak tornado that forms along the gust front of a thunderstorm, often as a result of outflow winds from the storm. Unlike typical tornadoes, gustnadoes are not associated with a parent rotating updraft. They are usually weak (EF0 or EF1) and rarely cause significant damage.

### Conclusion

Each type of tornado is unique, and understanding these different forms helps meteorologists better predict their behavior and potential impact. While tornadoes can range from weak, harmless phenomena to catastrophic storms that reshape entire landscapes, every tornado is a reminder of the immense power of nature.