- A tornado is a strong, dangerous wind that forms itself into an upside-down spinning cone.
- A tornado is a rapidly spinning tube of air that touches both the ground and a cloud above.
- Tornadoes are sometimes called twisters.
- Tornadoes happen when warm air from the Gulf of Mexico mixes with cold air from Canada creating unstable conditions.
- A tornado can have wind with speeds of 100 to 300 miles per hour that can damage anything in its path.
- Most tornadoes travel a few miles before exhausting themselves.
- Extreme tornadoes can travel much further, sometimes over 100 miles.
- Tornadoes usually happen in the spring and summer.
- Sometimes tornadoes bring hail with them.
- The USA averages around 1,200 tornadoes every year, more than any other country.
- US States most often hit by tornadoes include Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Florida.
- Basements and other underground areas are the safest places to seek refuge during a tornado. It is also a good idea to stay away from windows.