Tornadoes are some of the most destructive forces of nature. Learn how tornadoes form, how they are rated, and the country where the most intense tornadoes o...

Basic information about tornadoes, from the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory.

Oct 17, 2025 · Tornado, a small-diameter column of violently rotating air developed within a convective cloud and in contact with the ground. Tornadoes occur most often in association …

May 29, 2025 · Tornadoes usually only last a few minutes. However, some of these rapidly rotating columns of air can potentially last more than an hour and travel dozens of miles. Most …

Aug 28, 2019 · Learn how tornadoes form, where they happen most often—and how to stay safe.

Tornado SafetyA tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground. Tornadoes are capable of completely destroying well-made …

As seasons change and atmospheric temperatures shift, large currents of warm air collide with currents of cold air, and the mix of these currents produce large thunderstorms. Given the right …

Tornadoes occur all over the planet, but the United States leads the world in the strength and number of storms: About a thousand twisters touch down every year. (Argentina and …