Lesson 6 - Understanding Air Movement - Page 2

Radical Air Motion

Spinning wind storms caused by the radical movement of air are known in every part of the world. Americans know them as hurricanes and tornadoes and these regionally specific storms can wreak havoc and mayhem, leaving disaster in their wake. Most spinning wind storms are typical low-pressure systems that bring rain and clouds

Different spinning wind storms have their own characteristic trademarks--certain identifiable patterns in movement, location, size and speeds--that allow scientists to classify them into types. For example, a comparison of tornadoes and hurricanes demonstrates that, although they are both wind-caused storms, their behaviors are vastly different... in some cases, direct opposites.

North American Tornadoes and Hurricanes

Tornado

Hurricane

  • occur March-July
  • occur late summer/early autumn
  • originate over land, when hot damp air meets cool, drier air along cold fronts
  • originate as tropical storms over water in various locations off the coast of Africa, in the Caribbean, or in the Gulf of Mexico
  • usually spin counter-clockwise when in the northern hemisphere
  • spin clockwise in the southern hemisphere, counter-clockwise in the northern hemisphere
  • boast top wind speed of about 380 mph; twice the speed of hurricanes
  • boast top wind speeds of about 140 mph; only half the speed of tornadoes
  • measure 100 ft. - 1.5 miles across
  • measure 50-100 miles across
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