Toward Twister Forcasting
In 2011, tornadoes killed more than 550 people. Technology has made many natural disasters (such as hurricanes) more able to be predicted in order to keep people safe. However, this is not the cas with tornadoes. Though is improving and now, tornado activity can be predicted up to a month in advance. This improvement has been possible because of patterns in short-term climate trends. Studies have shown that tornadoes are growing more frequent because of long-term climate warming. Tornadoes involve winds of up to 300 miles per hour. The U.S. Midwest is the twister capital of the world. Tornadoes seem to be becoming more frequently as climate warms, but the connection is an uncertainty. Typically, a tornado watch gives only a few hours notice when dangerous conditions begin. This gives people only a few minutes to get out of the way. Studies identify two parameters that closely associate with monthly tornado activity: rain associated with strong updrafts; and helicity, which measures the tendency of winds to spin those updrafts. Studies wanted to predict the tornado activity of the individual months from 1979 to 2010 from an index based on each month's average wind and rain parameters. This was successful in predicting about a month in advance. This success, especially in June, is the first showing of predictability of monthly tornado activity. (The Earth Institute at Columbia University 2012).In the Classroom
Tornado in a Bottle
This is a fun and easy way to model tornadoes to students. The easy ingredients and steps make it very realistic for elementary science teachers.
All you need is: water, a container, and dish soap!
Here is a link to the full and more detailed directions: http://www.inlieuofpreschool.com/tornado-in-a-bottle-easiest-diy-science-lesson-ever/
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