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NOUS41 KALY 251200
PNSALY
800 AM EDT Thu April 25 2024

...Severe Weather Awareness Week Continues...

Today we take an in depth look at tornadoes.

Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air in contact with the
ground and attached to the cloud above. The strongest tornadoes have
wind speeds in excess of 200 mph, widths approaching one mile,
lengths of many miles, and durations of up to one hour. Fortunately,
most tornadoes are considerably weaker and of shorter duration.
Tornadoes typically move at about 30 mph, but can move as fast as
60 mph.

The northeast U.S. averages about seventeen tornadoes per year.
Tornadoes have occurred in New York and New England during every
season but are most common from May through August. Tornadoes can
strike anywhere, valleys and mountains, cities, and rural areas.
Tornadoes are most common in the afternoon and evening, but occur at
all hours.

In New York and New England, about 77 percent of all tornadoes are
weak, 21 Percent strong, and only about two percent are considered
violent. Tornado Damage is rated on the EF-scale. The weakest
tornadoes are EF-0 while the Strongest are EF-5. The strongest
tornadoes recorded in the Albany Forecast Area since 1950 have been
rated EF-4, which are violent, and caused considerable damage and
loss of life.

Tornadoes form in an environment conducive to thunderstorm
development. Winds changing direction and speed with height produce
a horizontal spinning in the atmosphere. Strong upward motions in
thunderstorms tilt the horizontal rotation to the vertical. An area
of rotation develops through much of the thunderstorm. Most
tornadoes form in this area of rotation called the mesocyclone.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issues tornado watches and
warnings to alert the public to a tornado threat. A tornado watch
means Tornadoes are possible. Continue with your daily routine, but
be ready to take quick action should a tornado warning be issued. A
tornado warning means that tornadoes are imminent or occurring. Seek
shelter immediately, in a basement if possible.

NWS tornado warnings are issued for small geographic areas taking
into account thunderstorm size and motion. If you receive a tornado
warning, you are likely very close to a tornado. NWS tornado
warnings have a duration of 45 minutes or less. Your time sheltering
during a tornado warning will be less than 45 minutes.

You should prepare for tornadoes. Develop a severe weather safety
plan. Identify safe shelters where you can go should a tornado
threaten. Know the basic weather safety terms. Keep tuned to your
favorite media outlet for the latest national weather service
statements concerning tornadoes. Make sure your wireless phone is
charged or keep a portable battery pack.

NOAA Weather Radio offers one way to receive immediate relay of
tornado warnings. Many local television and radio stations also
broadcast weather alerts. Computers and wireless devices can receive
warnings. National Weather Service tornado warnings are relayed as
wireless emergency alerts to newer phones by FEMA.

For more information on Severe Weather Awareness Week, go to our Web
site www.weather.gov/albany.

Tomorrow we will look at flash floods.
$$
NWS Albany