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Home/Questions/What’s inside a tornado?

🌪️ What’s inside a tornado?

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Answer for children of age 0-5

🌪️ A tornado is like a big, spinning wind tunnel! Inside, there's lots of strong wind that goes round and round very fast. It can pick up things like leaves, dirt, and even toys if they're outside! 🌬️

But don't worry—tornadoes are far away and grown-ups keep us safe when they happen. Tornadoes are like nature's vacuum cleaners, but they're very loud and scary!

🌟 Fun fact!

Did you know? Some tornadoes can spin faster than a race car! 🚗💨

💡Advice for parents

Focus on the idea of spinning wind and safety. Use simple comparisons (like a vacuum cleaner) to help them visualize. Reassure them that adults will keep them safe.
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Answer for children of age 6-10

🌪️ A tornado is a powerful spinning column of air that stretches from a thunderstorm cloud down to the ground. Inside, there's super-fast wind (sometimes over 300 mph!) that swirls around like a giant mixer. It can carry dirt, rocks, tree branches, and even cars! 🚗💨

Tornadoes form when warm and cold air mix in a special way. Scientists study them to keep people safe. The very center of a tornado, called the 'eye,' is actually calm—but you'd never want to be near one!

🌟 Fun fact!

The fastest tornado winds ever recorded could cross a football field in less than a second! ⚡

💡Advice for parents

Explain the science simply (mixing air, wind speed). Mention the 'eye' as a cool detail. Emphasize that tornadoes are rare and scientists help predict them.
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Answer for children of age 11-15

🌪️ A tornado is a violently rotating column of air connecting a thunderstorm to the ground. Inside, winds can exceed 300 mph (480 km/h), creating extreme low pressure that acts like a giant vacuum. The tornado's core consists of:

  • Inflow jets – Air rushing inward at high speed
  • Updraft – The central rising current
  • Debris cloud – Swirling dirt and objects

Tornadoes form from supercell thunderstorms when wind shear creates rotation. The Fujita Scale measures their strength from F0 (weak) to F5 (incredibly destructive). Scientists use Doppler radar to study them and improve warnings.

🌟 Fun fact!

The 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore tornado had winds of 301±20 mph—the fastest ever recorded! 🌪️📏

💡Advice for parents

Discuss the physics (pressure, wind shear) at an appropriate level. Mention tornado classification and technology used to study them. Encourage curiosity about meteorology.