Why does it get quiet before a tornado

What is a tornado? A tornado is the most violent atmospheric storm. A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground.

The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of mph or more. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.

According to the National Weather Service, although tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, these destructive forces of nature are found most frequently in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains during the spring and summer months.

But Cleveland County has had them to touch down in our area in the past. In an average year, tornadoes are reported nationwide, resulting in 80 deaths and more than 1, injuries.

Safe places you can go: According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, basements and interior rooms are the safest places to be during a tornado. A good rule of thumb is to put as many walls and floors as possible between you and the tornado.

Once you find a safe place, take shelter underneath a sturdy bench, table, or the stairwell. Crouch down and place your head between your knees, using your arms to cover your head. On the other hand, the least safe place to be is in a car.

If you are in a car, abandon it immediately and find a ditch to lie in. Most tornado deaths occur in cars. And never try to outrun a tornado; it may be moving faster than you think! If you do find yourself in a tornado's path, go to the basement. If there is no basement, go to an interior room on the lowest floor, such as a bathroom or closet.

If possible, cover yourself with a blanket or mattress to protect yourself from flying debris. Remember to stay away from exterior walls or glass-enclosed places and windows. A warning versus a watch: A tornado watch is issued when conditions are favorable for producing a tornado.

When a tornado watch is issued, keep an eye on the weather and go over the tornado safety plan with your family. If weather conditions worsen, seek shelter. For example, think of large storm systems. They're more complex than a single, unified storm, and their interactions usually don't produce any type of calmness.

Though we understand weather better than in years past, predicting it with perfect accuracy calm or not still remains somewhat of a mystery. For more information about storms and weather, visit the links on the next page.

The names of weather systems can get somewhat confusing because of their tendency to overlap. All circling weather patterns with low-pressure centers are technically referred to as cyclones. This means that hurricanes and tornadoes fall under the cyclone designation. Cyclone can refer to anything in the category that fits that description, no matter its power or size.

Also, within this category are middle-latitude or midlatitude cyclones -- huge weather systems that can cover a continent. Remember that storms referred to as hurricanes in certain parts of the world are commonly called cyclones in other regions and typhoons in the remaining areas. A hurricane begins east of the international date line, and typhoons spawn to the west of it.

If you're in the Indian Ocean, you have yourself a cyclone. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Forces of Nature. Is there really a 'calm before the storm'?

Storm Image Gallery Does an eerie calm precede a storm or is that just an old wives tale? The rain may fall rapidly, and then quickly stop in response to the wind changing course. Be extra careful when this occurs because the wind will also pick up and deposit debris. Planning in advance is the best way to prepare for a tornado. For some people, a basement, storm shelter or an interior room offer the best places to used as a storm shelter.

When a tornado warning has been issued, everyone in the family or workplace should know exactly what action to take. When tornadoes or other disasters strike, you can count on Rainbow International for rapid and professional restoration services for your home or business 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Readying a Home Against Severe Weather. Storm Series: Recovering after a Tornado Strikes. Preparing Your Home for Severe Weather. Skip to main content. Your health and safety are our highest priority during this time. Click here for our precautionary measures. Warning Signs of a Tornado According to one study, the number of days each year in which at least one tornado has occurred in the U.