Tornadoes, hurricanes, storms

From the point of view of the possibility of carrying out preventive measures, dangerous natural processes, as a source of emergency situations, can be predicted with a very short lead time (from several days to several hours). Strong winds with speeds over 20 m/sec and heavy rainfall can be observed in almost all regions of the Republic of Belarus. According to forecasts, the number of emergencies caused by strong winds, rain and hail will generally remain at the same level, or will increase due to the manifestation of poorly predicted local meteorological processes against the backdrop of significant deterioration of public utility facilities and social sphere. The territory of any region is subject to the complex effects of dozens of dangerous natural phenomena, the development and negative manifestation of which in the form of catastrophes and natural disasters annually causes enormous material damage and leads to human casualties. The most characteristic natural phenomena In terms of frequency depending on the time of year, hurricanes, storms and tornadoes lead to emergencies.

Snow storms are accompanied by the transfer of huge masses of snow from one place to another. At the same time, large areas are filled up.

A storm is a type of hurricane and storm. Hurricanes and storms differ in wind speed, which during a hurricane reaches 32 m/s or more, and during a storm 15 - 20 m/s. The losses from a hurricane are greater than from a storm.

A tornado is an ascending vortex of extremely quickly rotating air in the form of a funnel of enormous destructive power, in which moisture, sand and other suspended matter are present. Rising vortices of rapidly rotating air, having the appearance of a dark column with a diameter of several tens to hundreds of meters with a vertical, sometimes curved axis of rotation. The tornado seems to “hang” from the cloud to the ground in the form giant funnel, inside which the pressure is always low, so the “suction” effect appears. It lifts animals, people, cars, small houses into the air and carries them hundreds of meters, tears off roofs, and uproots trees. average speed winds from 15 - 18 m/s, up to 50 m/s, front width 350 - 400 m. Path length - from hundreds of meters to tens and hundreds of kilometers. Sometimes tornadoes are accompanied by precipitation in the form of hail and heavy rain.

The most common natural disasters in Europe are hurricanes and floods. In terms of economic losses and the volume of subsequent insurance payments, hurricanes and floods are the most financially significant. Hurricanes Lota and Martin in December 1999 caused damage estimated at €5 billion, damaging crops, forests and infrastructure settlements.

A hurricane is an extremely fast and strong movement of air, often of great destructive power and considerable duration.

During hurricanes, the width of the zone of catastrophic destruction reaches several hundred kilometers (sometimes thousands of kilometers). A hurricane lasts 9 - 12 days (a storm - from several hours to several days, the width of the front during a storm is several hundred kilometers), causing a large number of casualties and destruction. The transverse size of a tropical cyclone (also called a tropical hurricane or typhoon) is much smaller - only a few hundred kilometers, its height is up to 12-15 km. The pressure in hurricanes drops much lower than in an extratropical cyclone. At the same time, the wind speed reaches 400-600 km/h. In the core of a tornado, the pressure drops very low, so tornadoes “suck” into themselves various, sometimes very heavy objects, which are then transported over long distances. People caught in the center of the tornado die.

As surface pressure continues to fall, the tropical disturbance becomes a hurricane when wind speeds begin to exceed 64 knots. A noticeable rotation develops around the center of the hurricane, because as spiraling bands of precipitation swirl around the eye of a hurricane. The heaviest precipitation and strongest winds are associated with the eye wall.

Tornado (tornado) - vortex horizontal movement air, appears in a thundercloud and falls to the surface of the earth in the form of an overturned funnel, the diameter of which is up to hundreds of meters. The air inside the column rotates counterclockwise, rising upward in a spiral at a speed of several tens of m/s. Because The radius near the ground decreases, then the speed at the surface of the earth reaches supersonic values. The pillar moves at a speed of up to 20 m/s and covers a distance of 40-60 km. Inside the tornado, the air pressure is so great that buildings crumble due to the pressure of the air in them. The ability of tornadoes to plunge oblong objects (straws, sticks, debris, etc.) into trees, walls of houses, the ground, etc. is amazing. Small stones pierce glass and thin metal.

Hurricanes that occur in tropical latitudes have speeds of up to 64 knots (74 mph) and are capable of causing damaging winds, heavy rainfall and flooding that can result in massive damage to the infrastructure of populated areas. private property and human casualties. Hurricane in terms of impact on environment is not inferior to earthquakes: buildings, power and communication line masts, transport highways are destroyed, trees are broken and uprooted, sea vessels and vehicles are overturned. Often storms and hurricanes are accompanied by rain and snowfall, which further complicates the situation. As a result of strong winds, a wind surge of water occurs at the mouths of rivers, settlements and arable lands are flooded, and enterprises are forced to stop their production.

“As news agencies reported, citing representatives of medical and emergency services and the press center of the mayor’s office, wind gusts in some places reached 31 meters per second. During a heavy downpour, 35 mm of precipitation fell - the capital's monthly norm. According to preliminary data, at least 45 thousand trees were broken and uprooted, and 744 street lighting networks were broken. More than a hundred urban public transport routes were inactive due to 585 trolleybus and tram breaks contact networks. Stormy wind damaged high voltage lines power transmission - 75 damages were recorded on lines with voltages of 500, 220 and 110 kilovolts. Construction and road equipment accidents occurred in some places in the capital. Many cars and buildings were damaged, including the Kremlin building and Bolshoi Theater. About one and a half thousand houses were left without roofs. A crane collapsed in a river port and sank 2 ships. The storm wind, the speed of which, according to weather forecasters, reached 90 kilometers per hour in the hurricane zone, also caused casualties: 7 people died, 122 were hospitalized and 161 people sought medical help.”

Weather forecasters may not receive timely warnings about the hurricane. Lack of storm warning leads to colossal property damage, loss of life, and sometimes significant humanitarian crises. Effective resolution of crisis situations requires coordination and concentration of resources to ensure timely and appropriate assistance is provided to countries and people in need. In 1992, the EU Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) was created to coordinate humanitarian operations outside the European Union.

Improvement of the weather forecast service (introduction of a hurricane warning system using space-based surveillance equipment) allows for the urgent evacuation of the population from threatening areas and reducing the number of human casualties. Research is also being conducted on the effect on hurricanes (especially those that are just emerging) by introducing certain chemical reagents (silver iodide) into the clouds, in some cases causing premature precipitation and weakening the destructive power of the hurricane.

To reduce the impact of natural disasters, actions and measures are being taken both nationally and internationally. regional levels, although a unified target policy has not yet been developed. Emergency plans, including guidelines for responding to various natural disasters, have been developed in all countries of the European Union, but they are largely untested in practice and are unlikely to lead to satisfactory results when implemented (EEA 1999).

Tactical characteristics of natural disasters

The destructive effects of hurricanes are associated primarily with wind, but the subsequent phase of rainfall and flooding is much more dangerous. These phenomena acquire a formidable character and turn into rampant disasters with catastrophic consequences on the scale of entire states or even several countries in any geographical area.

Related components of hurricanes:

Floods.

Temporary flooding of low-lying areas river valleys, are caused by heavy rains, cyclones, hurricanes and other meteorological reasons. The significant harm that floods cause to humanity is to some extent explained by the problem of forecasting at the present time. Heavy rainfall and offshore waters carried ashore by strong winds can cause water levels to rise by more than 50 cm (20 in) in just 24 hours. The drainage systems in many cities are unable to handle this rise due to the soft topography common to many coastal areas where hurricanes occur.

Storm surge water

There may often be an increase in the water level in the water area, sometimes over several meters. This is the most destructive characteristic, devastating the lower levels of coastal structures. The greatest danger occurs when the water level rises during the high tide.

Violation of living conditions of the population

Utilities. Administrative and industrial buildings, residential buildings and economic facilities are damaged. Gas and water supply systems, sewerage systems, boiler houses, heating mains, transformer substations, power line feeders, electrical panels. Hurricane winds tear off the roofs of houses and office buildings, knock down trees and lighting poles. Flooded underground passages, street intersections, water lines and drains.

Transport. Blockages form on the roads from fallen trees, and traffic on highways is interrupted. Sections of asphalt, railway and dirt roads are being washed away, and the movement of passenger trains is being delayed. Air terminals, bridges and bridge crossings are damaged.

Agriculture. Squally winds, accompanied by heavy rain and hail, damage the roofs of residential buildings and granaries. Causes flooding of houses, buildings, private households, bridge crossings, and agricultural land. Agricultural crops, orchards and vegetable gardens are dying over large areas. Farms and sheds are damaged, hundreds of livestock and poultry are killed. As a result of the disaster, the water level in the rivers rises and exceeds critical levels. Arable lands, thousands of hectares of perennial grasses, pastures and meadows are subject to prolonged flooding.

There is a danger of intensification of bank destruction and landslide processes.

Telephone communications are interrupted and the power supply to settlements with a population of tens and hundreds of thousands of people is disrupted.

Almost the entire population may be temporarily resettled from the affected areas.

Of particular concern to ministries and departments involved in eliminating the consequences of emergencies and natural disasters are dangerous objects: hydroelectric power stations, nuclear power plants, chemical, biological, fire and explosion hazards, industrial, military warehouses and storage facilities. Social facilities: airports, train stations, transnational railways and highways, Insurance companies, banks, strategic economic facilities and, most importantly, energy potential, on which the performance of the entire complex of urban infrastructure depends.

Medical attribute of elemental damage

Powerful hurricanes with rain often lead to loss of life. A large number of public, economic and industrial facilities and residential buildings are damaged. The damage could reach billions of rubles. Summer 2002 Crimean coast. Windows and doors were broken in apartments, and the roofs of hundreds of houses were torn off. The wind knocked down trees, bent traffic lights and street lighting poles, as if it were dealing with toys from newsstands and food stalls. Electricity and heat supplies are out of order. People found themselves without light, water and heat. Television and radio broadcasting fell silent. Couldn't be passed on to the public necessary information. Mudflows that came down from the mountains washed campsites into the sea along with cars, tents and people.

The Belarusian Hydrometeorological Committee, as a rule, issues a “Storm warning” in advance. Receiving information about the approach of a hurricane or severe storm. Doors, attics, and dormer windows should be closed. Cover the glass with strips of paper or fabric. Remove objects from balconies, loggias, and window sills that could cause injury if dropped. Turn off the gas. Prepare emergency lighting with lanterns and candles. Create a supply of water and food for 2-3 days. Place medications and dressings in a safe and visible place. Keep radios and televisions on at all times: they can convey various messages and orders. Transfer people from light buildings to strong buildings. Hide in a secure building or shelter, securely close the window frames; if there is a threat of a tornado - in a basement or underground structure.

In case of a sudden hurricane, storm, tornado

To prevent damage from natural disasters, be as prepared as possible in advance. If there is a danger of a hurricane passing, it is necessary to take shelter in the nearest protective structure or use metro stations, basements, tunnels, underground passages, and pits of buildings under construction for shelter.

If you find yourself in an open area, it is best to use roadside ditches, railway embankments, beams, hollows, take cover in a ditch, hole, ravine, any recess, lie down on the bottom and press tightly to the ground.

While in the house, close the windows, shutters, lower the blinds, remove flowers, vases, decorations from the window sills, curtain the windows and move away from the windows. Avoid injury from glass and other flying objects.

Borrow relatively safe place(it’s better to go down to the basement as quickly as possible).

Relatively safe: niches, doorways, built-in wardrobes. enjoy electrical appliances only after they have been dried and checked.

On the street:

Beware of damaged or fallen trees, swinging shutters, signs, and banners. If the storm is accompanied by thunder, avoid electrical shock.

Run from buildings, towers to any shelter,

After waiting out the gust of wind, take shelter in a safer place.

During a hurricane, storm, tornado it is dangerous:

Be in elevated places, bridges, near pipelines, power lines, near poles and masts, objects with toxic and flammable substances. Take cover under trees, behind billboards, and dilapidated fences. Enter damaged buildings. Use electrical appliances and gas stoves in the house. Touch broken electrical wires, central heating, gas and water supply pipes.

Near poles and masts, objects with toxic and flammable substances. Take cover under trees, behind billboards, dilapidated buildings and fences. Enter damaged buildings. Use electrical appliances and gas stoves in the house.

After a hurricane, storm, tornado:

Be careful when walking around downed wires.

Beware of fallen trees, swaying shutters, signs, banners, gas leaks in the house, and electrical problems (use electric lights before checking). Electrical appliances can only be used after they have been dried and checked. If the storm is accompanied by thunder, avoid electrical shock.

What is a tornado?

A tornado is a narrow, monstrously rotating column of air that stretches from a thundercloud to the ground. Because wind is invisible, you can't always see a tornado. A visible sign is a funnel consisting of water drops, sometimes objects; during its existence, the tornado does not always come into contact with the surface of the earth. Dust and debris in the spinning funnel also make the tornado visible and indicate the tornado's position.

Known fact:

Tornadoes are the most violent natural disaster.

There are two types of this phenomenon: tornadoes caused by severe thunderstorms, and tornadoes caused by other factors. Typically, tornadoes are the result of thunderstorms and are often the most dangerous. Superstorm is a long-lasting (more than one hour) thunderstorm that continues due to an upward air flow, inclined and constantly rotating. This stream reaches 10 miles in diameter and 50,000 feet in height, requiring 20 to 60 minutes to form a tornado. Scientists call this rotation a mesocyclone when it is detected on Doppler radar. Tornado - extremely most of this large-scale rotation. The most powerful tornadoes result from severe thunderstorms.

Tornadoes of the second type are formed without the participation of upward rotating air currents. Such a tornado is a whirlwind of dust and debris that forms near the very surface of the earth, along the front line of the wind without that terrible spinning funnel. Another variant of a tornado is a tornado, or otherwise a hurricane. This phenomenon is characterized by a narrow rope-shaped funnel that forms when a thundercloud is still forming and there is no upward swirling air flow. A waterspout is similar to a landspout, only it occurs over water.

Hurricanes: the destructive force of nature

Hurricanes are cyclones that occur in tropical latitudes, with winds reaching 64 knots (74 mph). These cyclones are capable of causing damaging winds, heavy rainfall and flooding, which can result in enormous damage to private property and loss of life among coastal communities. One that comes to mind is Hurricane Andrew, which caused at least 50 deaths and more than $30 billion in property damage. The purpose of this module is to introduce hurricanes and their characteristics, where they occur and under what conditions. This module is presented in the following sections:

Hurricane names

IN various parts around the world, hurricane-like storms are given different names.

Hurricanes are tropical cyclones with winds exceeding 64 knots (74 mph) and blowing counterclockwise from their center in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hurricanes occur over warm waters tropical oceans, where the air is very humid and converging winds cause convective processes responsible for the formation of hurricanes.

Hurricane season usually lasts from June to November, when water temperatures in these areas are relatively high (over 26.5 C). Most hurricanes occur in late summer and early fall, that is, in August and September. Hurricanes are stronger than thunderstorms and tornadoes, but weaker than mid-latitude cyclones. Major components of a hurricane include:

The area, 20-50 km in diameter, is at the center of the hurricane, where skies are often clear, winds are light, and pressure is lowest.

Eye Wall:

A ring of cumulonimbus clouds swirling around the eye. The heaviest precipitation and the strongest winds are found here.

Spiral precipitation bands: Bands of strong convective rainfall directed towards the center of the cyclone

There are an average of 84 tropical storms and 45 hurricanes/typhoons per year. Approximately nine of these storms develop per year over the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, six of which typically become hurricanes, two of which are intense hurricanes (wind speeds exceeding 130 mph or 209 km/h).

Hurricane-like storms are called different names V different parts peace. For example, the name "hurricane" is given to systems developing over the Atlantic Ocean or eastern part Pacific Ocean. In the northwest Pacific and near the Philippines these systems are called "typhoons", while in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific they are called "cyclones"

Since 1953, the National Hurricane Center has compiled lists of names for hurricanes. Once a tropical depression develops into a tropical storm, it is assigned one of the following names in the list, which are located in alphabetical order, both female and male names presented together in one list. Below is a list of names for hurricanes from 1994-1999.

Storm Names for 1994-1999

1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Alberto	Allison	Arthur	Ana	Alex	Arlene
Beryl	Barry	Bertha	Bill	Bonnie	Bret
Chris	Chantal	Cesar	Claudette	Charley	Cindy
Debby	Dean	Dolly	Danny	Danielle	Dennis
Ernesto	Erin	Edouard	Erika	Earl	Emily
Florence	Felix	Fran	Fabian	Frances	Floyd
Gordon	Gabielle	Gustav	Grace	Georges	Gert
Helene	Humberto	Hortense	Henry	Hermine	Harvey
Isaac	Iris	Isidore	Isabel	Ivan	Irene
Joyce	Jerry	Josephine	Juan	Jeanne	Jose
Keith	Karen	Kyle	Kate	Karl	Katrina
Leslie	Louis	Lili	Larry	Lisa	Lenny
Michael	Marilyn	Marco	Mindy	Mitch	Maria
Nadine	Noel	Nana	Nicholas	Nicole	Nate
Oscar	Opal	Omar	Odette	Otto	Ophelia
Patty	Pablo	Paloma	Peter	Paula	Philippe
Rafael	Roxanne	Rene	Rose	Richard	Rita
Sandy	Sebastien	Sally	Sam	Shary	Stan
Tony	Tanya	Teddy	Teresa	Thomas	Tammy
Valerie	Van	Vicky	Victor	Virginie	Vince
William	Wendy	Wilfred	Wanda	Walter	Wilma

Types of global winds

Global winds, also known as "global circulations", and the surface winds of each hemisphere are divided into three zones:

Polar Easterly Winds: From 60 to 90 degrees latitude.

Prevailing (Prevailing) Westerlies: From 30 to 60 degrees latitude (also known as Westerlies).

Tropical Easterlies: From 0 to 30 degrees latitude (also known as Trade Winds).

Causes great harm to people meteorological phenomena: storms, hurricanes, storms, tornadoes. From historical chronicles they are known from for a long time. A tornado (tornado) causes particularly great damage. In the US, the states of Texas and Ohio are particularly affected by them. The strongest of them, on March 18, 1926, raged over the US Midwest for three hours and killed almost 700 human lives. Hurricanes are no less dangerous. One of them hit the North American continent in 1928. It caused $25 million in damage to the state of Florida. The typhoon in 1934 in Japan destroyed 30 thousand houses, put a huge number of sea ​​vessels, killed about 3 thousand people. In 1970, a hurricane hit East Pakistan. The area affected by the disaster was 7.8 thousand square meters. km. The number of victims ranges from 160 to 500 thousand people. The number of victims was 3 million people. The catastrophic typhoon Fifi in Honduras killed 10 thousand people and paralyzed the country's economy. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew swept through the state of Florida (USA). On the night of May 3, 1999, several powerful tornadoes swept across the states of Oklahoma and Kansas (USA), devastating large areas. These tornadoes, called "night killers", claimed the lives of about 50 people in a short time.

Strong winds are also typical for Russia. Chronicles and later documents indicate numerous natural disasters in Russia associated with strong winds. Back in the 13th century, chroniclers recorded storms that took place in Rus', killing many people and livestock. The chronicles note that “hurricane gusts of wind lift many households into the air and carry them away along with people and their way of life.” In 1422 Novgorod was shaken by hurricane storms. In 1827 – 1828 In the Saratov province, about 1 million sheep, about 300 thousand horses, and more than 70 thousand heads of cattle died from storms. Severe storms in 1847 they attacked Oryol, Kostroma, Vologda, Astrakhan, Moscow and other provinces. In total, up to the 19th century inclusive, more than 130 “great storms” were recorded in Russia.

The last decades of the 20th century were also marked by natural disasters associated with hurricanes, storms, and tornadoes. On July 1, 1974, squalls, hurricane winds, rain, and hail engulfed the Belgorod and Kursk regions. In 1984, tornadoes passed over the Kostroma, Ivanovo, Yaroslavl, Kalinin, Gorky, and Moscow regions. They were accompanied by enormous destruction of industrial and residential facilities, rural settlements, and losses among the population. In 1986, heavy winds and rain hit the Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, Voronezh and Perm regions. More than 3 thousand buildings were damaged then, and there were casualties. In 1990, Vorkuta was hit by a hurricane, killing 70 people. In 1993, hurricanes passed through Kaliningrad region, Kola Peninsula. In 1995, Cyclone Angela caused great damage to the island. Sakhalin, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk Territory.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, storms are wind meteorological phenomena . Wind is the movement of air relative to earth's surface, resulting from uneven distribution atmospheric pressure and directed from the area high pressure to an area of ​​lower pressure. It is characterized by direction and speed (force). The direction is determined by the azimuth of the side of the horizon from which it blows. Wind strength is measured in meters per second, kilometers per hour, or approximately in points on the Beaufort scale. The Beaufort scale is used to express wind strength in points according to visual assessment (Table 4.6). It was adopted by the World Meteorological Organization in 1963.

Table 4.6. Beaufort scale

Fundamentals of life safety. 7th grade Petrov Sergey Viktorovich

3 Hurricanes, storms, tornadoes

HURRICANES, STORMS, TOrnadoes

3.1. Basic concepts and classification

Hurricanes, storms and tornadoes are dangerous wind meteorological phenomena.

These natural phenomena have long attracted the attention of people, aroused their interest, and especially strong manifestations and horror. You can see the image of a tornado on one of the ancient Russian frescoes.

Some facts

On the night of June 21, 1998, a strong wind swept over Moscow (in some places its speed reached the speed of a hurricane) with thunderstorms and rain. The wind knocked down about 55 thousand trees, damaged energy and gas supply systems, and blew away the roofs of hundreds of residential buildings and office buildings. In a number of districts of the capital, ground and even underground transport, suburban electric trains stopped, airports froze. 172 people were injured, of whom 9 died and 122 were hospitalized. The estimated damage amounted to 1 billion rubles. About 5 thousand people and almost 1.5 thousand pieces of equipment were involved in the work to restore the city’s infrastructure and clear debris.

What are these dangerous natural phenomena?

Wind- this is the movement of air relative to the earth's surface, resulting from an uneven distribution of atmospheric pressure and directed from a high pressure zone to a low pressure zone.

Every wind can be characterized by direction, speed and strength.

Direction is determined by the azimuth of the side of the horizon from which the wind is blowing, and is measured in degrees.

Wind speed measured in meters per second (m/s), kilometers per hour (km/h), knots, or approximately the Beaufort scale.

Wind power measured by the pressure it exerts on 1 m 2 of surface. Since the strength of the wind varies almost proportionally to its speed, wind strength is usually assessed not by the pressure value, but by the speed, which simplifies the perception and understanding of these quantities.

All over the world, to assess wind strength based on visual perceptions, the so-called Beaufort scale is used, which allows you to very accurately estimate wind strength in points (from 0 to 12) (Table 2).

English admiral Francis Beaufort developed this scale in 1806. The First Meteorological Congress adopted it for use in international practice.

table 2

Beaufort scale

Many are used to indicate the movement of wind. different names: hurricane, storm, tornado, typhoon, tornado, cyclone, gale and many local names. The use of the Beaufort scale allows us to systematize all these names and, using the characteristics described in it, without any instruments, accurately determine the wind speed, its strength in points based on the effect on ground objects or on the waves at sea.

As can be seen from Table 2, a storm is a wind whose speed reaches 62-101 km/h. Depending on the wind speed, a strong and a full storm are distinguished.

Depending on the time of year and the involvement of different compositions of particles in the air, storms are divided into dusty (sand) and snow.

Some facts

Dust storms often occur in the deserts of Africa, Central and Central Asia. One of the most severe dust storms occurred in the northern Sahara on March 9, 1901. By midday, much of northern Africa was covered in a layer of dry dust. Pink colour. The air, filled with reddish dust, was impenetrable, the sun was not visible, darkness fell and panic began among the population. The storm crossed the Mediterranean Sea and reached the shores of Europe. “Bloody rain” began in Italy, causing panic among superstitious Italians. By the morning of March 11, the storm crossed the Alps, covering the snow and glaciers with a dense layer of red dust. This dust storm affected Germany, Denmark and reached Russia.

Hurricane called wind whose speed reaches or exceeds 120 km/h. Depending on the speed, they are distinguished: hurricanes (120-140 km/h), severe hurricanes (from 140 to 170 km/h) and severe hurricanes (more than 170 km/h).

Tornado (tornado) is an atmospheric vortex that occurs in a thundercloud and often spreads to the surface of the earth (water). It has the appearance of a giant pillar, sometimes with a curved axis of rotation, tens to hundreds of meters in diameter, with funnel-shaped extensions at the top and bottom (see p. 34). The air in a tornado rotates counterclockwise at a speed of up to 100 m/s and at the same time rises in a spiral, drawing dust, water, various items and carrying them over considerable distances.

Some facts

Sometimes tornadoes bring rains of crayfish, fish, and frogs. In 1974, in Australia, in the small town of Lismore, it rained large fish. One of the residents of this town woke up from heavy blows on the roof. When dawn broke, an unusual picture appeared before him: large sea loran fish lay on the roof of the house and around it. His “catch” amounted to more than 150 fish.

Typically, tornadoes begin like this: a thundercloud appears on the horizon, flooding the surrounding area with an unusual greenish light, the humid heat increases, and it becomes difficult to breathe. A slight wind rises and it begins to drizzle. And suddenly the temperature drops sharply by 15 °C. From the hanging clouds, a giant “trunk” descends to the ground, rotating at tremendous speed. Another whirlwind stretches towards him from the ground, looking like an overturned funnel. If they close together, a huge rotating column is formed. The lifetime of a tornado is relatively short, from several minutes to several hours, during which time it travels from hundreds of meters to tens of kilometers. A tornado is almost always clearly visible, and a deafening roar is heard as it approaches.

Tornado

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From book Practical guide Aboriginal knowledge of survival in emergency situations and the ability to rely only on oneself by Bigley Joseph

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From the book Natural Disasters. Volume 2 by Davis Lee

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HURRICANE AND TOrnadoes

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10. HURRICANES A hurricane is a tropical cyclone over the northern Atlantic Ocean, characterized by a wind speed of over 120 kilometers per hour. Reaching the highest stage, a hurricane goes through 4 stages in its development: tropical cyclone, pressure depression, storm,

The “Projects” section welcomes everyone who is interested in what is happening around us and who is ready to gain new knowledge and share it on school lessons. Do you know what danger natural phenomena such as hurricanes and storms pose?

In fact, these flows moving at breakneck speed air masses are in third place in terms of danger and destructive force. What do they have in common and how do they differ from each other? What are the reasons for such strong winds and how to protect yourself so that, like Ellie from The Wizard of Oz, you don’t end up being carried away somewhere far from home?

Lesson plan:

Where do hurricane storms come from?

Both storms and hurricanes occur when cyclones occur in the atmosphere. If you send cold air, for example, from the Arctic, to the hot equator, then after their head-on collision it will be possible to observe the unfolding storm. In this case, two masses with different properties will begin to wedge into each other, cold air will desperately displace warm air to the top.

Air masses are constantly moving in the atmosphere, each of which has its own indicators of temperature, pressure and humidity. When air pressure changes, the air flow begins to move and the speed of its movement depends on how large the difference in pressure change is. When this speed exceeds 30 meters per second, we can talk about a hurricane.

What do you think is a broader concept – a storm or a hurricane?

In fact, a storm is a small hurricane, a variation of it. It can be up to 15-30 meters per second, cover a width of up to several hundred kilometers and last several hours or days. Strong storms are called storms. Often a storm brings with it heavy rain and thunderstorms.

But a hurricane is a broader concept, since it covers both a light sea breeze - a breeze, and the storm we discussed above, and, in fact, itself. Hurricane winds move at speeds of more than 32 meters per second, or 117 kilometers per hour, and play pranks for 9 to 12 days.

Do you know that?! A hurricane always blows counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.

Types of storms and hurricanes

What types of whirlwinds and winds are there?

Scientists have divided all hurricanes into:

1. tropical ones that are born over warm oceans in the tropics and set off in a westerly direction;
2. extratropical, or temperate latitudes, which appear over both land and water and move eastward.

If the birthplace of a tropical hurricane is the Atlantic, then it is called a hurricane.

If he was born over Pacific Ocean and the Pacific seas, it is traditionally called a typhoon.

Born over Indian Ocean a hurricane is often called a cyclone.

Temperate hurricanes, unlike tropical ones, bring with them less precipitation, which is why they are also called “dry.”

Storms are also roughly divided into:

1. vortex, since they look from the outside like powerful vortices and cover a large area;
2. streaming, directed along a trajectory - a flow, they are not so extensive in terms of coverage area.

Vortex storms are made from dust that rises high and is transported over long distances. They are usually found in deserts. Snowy whirlwind winds occur in winter, and we know them as a blizzard or blizzard. Squalls come in the form of a short-term sudden impulse winds up to 20 meters per second.

Stream storms include:

• drain, with them the air moves from top to bottom;
• jet, when the air mass moves horizontally or from bottom to top. Most often they can be seen in the mountains.

Do you know that?! Scientists give hurricanes names. Previously, only women were chosen, but the fair half of humanity rebelled against such injustice, and today you can also find men’s names among the names of natural disasters.

Are hurricane storms dangerous?

What causes the destructive power of strong winds? Indicators of the degree of destructive action of cataclysms and their consequences depend on the speed of the air mass. All hurricanes and storms based on wind strength are summarized in a special table on the Beaufort scale.

This English hydrographer assessed the wind by its effect on objects and by the roughness of the sea surface and, based on his research, compiled a twelve-point scale.

At Beaufort, measurements begin with a calm, in which there is practically no wind, and the sea is mirror-smooth. As wind flows intensify, the nature of the impact changes. With strong winds of up to 17 meters per second, it becomes difficult to walk, a storm of 24 meters begins to tear tiles from the roofs of houses, and a strong storm with a speed of 28 meters uproots trees.

When a hurricane begins, storm waves rise to great heights and destroy everything they encounter along the way.

As a result destructive action hurricanes damage buildings and structures, break power lines, and fall trees. Storms bring prolonged downpours and lead to landslides and floods. There are cases in history where hurricane winds overturned trains and destroyed dams.

Do you know that?! In Russia, hurricanes most often occur in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk territories, Sakhalin and Kamchatka. In the European part the wind reaches 50 meters per second, but in Far East it can be about 90 m/sec. Most cyclones occur at the end of summer - beginning of autumn.

What to do, if?

Storms and hurricanes are natural disasters, so each of us should know the basic rules of behavior in an emergency, even if you live in a favorable area and have only heard about hurricanes on TV.

First of all, you should know that the approach of these natural disasters can be indicated by:

• sudden increase in wind,
• rapid decrease in atmospheric pressure,
• showers and storms,
• heavy snowfall,
• appearance of ground dust.

Modern technologies allow weather forecasters to obtain preliminary data about impending disasters, so often the population is already prepared when a storm or hurricane arrives:

• roofs and chimneys are secured to prevent them from being carried away,
• the attic windows are covered with boards,
• Explosive and fire hazardous items have been removed from balconies and courtyard areas,
• Supplies of food and water have been made for at least two to three days, lanterns and candles have been prepared.

How to behave?

1. It is best if during a raging disaster you are in a shelter, for which a basement is suitable.
2. If you were unable to hide in time, then on the street you should not approach buildings, but choose a ditch or hole where you can hide, covering your head with your hands. This will help protect you from objects flying in the wind.
3. When in a building, you should take a place along the walls.
4. It is better to wait out a snow storm, which can last for several days, at home, since it is almost impossible to find a person in poor visibility conditions. If there is an urgent need to go outside the premises, it is better to have means of communication, a group of several people and having warned someone about where and which way you will go.

But Samuil Marshak, apparently, also knows how to survive a hurricane and a storm, because he is not at all afraid of them:

Winds, storms, hurricanes,

Blow as hard as you can!

Whirlwinds, blizzards and blizzards,

Get ready for the night!

Trumpet loudly in the clouds,

Hover above the ground.

Let the drifting snow run in the fields

White snake!

Well, now you know more about these dangerous natural phenomena. Do you want to see a hurricane? Well then, watch it if you're not afraid. His name is "Matthew".

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Good luck in your studies!

Evgenia Klimkovich.

Throughout its existence, humanity is constantly faced with natural phenomena that it is unable to resist. Despite achieved level technological progress, humanity is unable to control a tornado, typhoon, tornado. The characteristics of these elements are given below.

A tornado is considered one of the most dangerous. It resembles something that descended to the surface of the earth for some kind of “dance”. Its scope is usually up to 400 m, less often it can reach 3000 m. For many, it is a mystery how a tornado differs from a tornado. This is what we have to find out.

What is a tornado?

A tornado is a huge funnel that descends from a thundercloud to the ground. It can travel both over land and water. Bottom part a funnel resembles a cloud, which consists of dust, dirt, and various objects.

Some people confuse it with a dust devil, but this is a serious misconception. A tornado is associated with a thundercloud; it is part of it, resembling a trunk that descends to the ground. He cannot tear himself away from his cloud. But dust and sand whirlwinds have nothing to do with thunderstorm phenomena.

Causes of a tornado

Humanity has not yet been able to understand the tornadoes. Their appearance is associated with the process when moist, warm air ends up very close to cold, dry air. In this case, their contact should pass over a cold area of ​​\u200b\u200bland or water. Warm air ends up between low temperatures.

Due to the fact that the process of the appearance of a tornado is a certain chain reaction, This destructive phenomenon nature is often compared to an atomic bomb.

Due to the interaction of cold and warm currents a trunk is formed, which cools and falls down. A vacuum zone descends behind it, drawing everything in its path into itself.

Danger of natural phenomenon

The whole danger of a tornado lies in its trunk. Depending on its own size, it is capable of pulling into itself and lifting any objects to great heights. This includes people. Dissolving in the atmosphere, it subsides and everything that was above the ground falls down.

If the vortex is unable to pull an object into itself, it tears it apart. For example, a house standing in its path will most likely turn into ruins, and its debris will scatter tens of kilometers away.

What is a tornado?

From English and Spanish languages The word "tornado" is translated as "to spin." So in countries North America, including the United States, is called a tornado. A spinning funnel descends from a cumulonimbus cloud and makes a sound similar to a waterfall or a rumbling train.

Most often, tornadoes occur in the United States, in Texas. This is due to the fact that warm, moist air comes from it, which collides with cold masses from Canada and dry masses from the rocky mountains.

The following natural phenomena occur:

• thunderstorms;
• showers;
• gusty winds;
• tornado.

What is the difference between a tornado and a tornado?

Many people think that a tornado and a tornado - various phenomena. But if you look at how a tornado differs from a tornado, it becomes clear that it is nothing. In some countries, it is generally accepted that a tornado is a destructive phenomenon on land, and a tornado is a destructive phenomenon on the surface of water.

In addition to these two names, there is a third one - thrombus. It can be heard in European countries.

All three names - tornado, tornado, thrombus - are considered synonymous.

How is a tornado different from a hurricane?

Once you understand the difference between a tornado and a tornado, you can understand what a hurricane is. Often people do not understand the features of this or that natural disaster, and everything associated with the movement of air masses is called a hurricane. At the same time, a tornado and a hurricane are different concepts.

A hurricane is a tropical cyclone, which is expressed in the form of strong winds, rain, and thunderstorms. The confusion arises because it could cause a subsequent tornado.

Classification according to the Fujita scale

There can be no answer to the question of what is stronger - a tornado or a tornado, since they are one and the same phenomenon. There are many classifications of its strength, but the Fujita scale is most often followed.

Tornado, typhoon, tornado: characteristics
	Wind speed, km/h	Characteristic
		Relatively little damage is caused in the form of broken branches and dilapidated trees. In many countries it is called gale force wind
		The phenomenon can rip the roofs off houses and move cars.
		The elements uproot trees.
		The clot is capable of overturning a train and lifting a car above the surface of the earth.
		Anything lighter than a car flies in the air, even buildings that are not properly fortified.
		The elements are capable of lifting almost anything into the air and easily tearing the road surface off the ground.
		Exists only in theory, since the wind can reach the speed of sound.

So, we have already figured out that talking about the difference between a tornado and a tornado is not entirely correct. Similar phenomena nature occur all over the world, bringing death and chaos. However, there are cases that can be classified as curious.

• So, in 1879, a terrible tornado passed through Irving. At this time, parishioners were praying in a wooden church. The clot lifted the church with people inside and moved it several meters. None of them were injured and escaped with fright.
• In 1913, in Kansas, a storm swept through a garden, uprooting a large apple tree. She was torn into many pieces, and standing a meter away dead tree the hive with the bees remained unharmed.
• In 1940, in the village of Meshchery, along with a thunderstorm, rain fell, consisting, in addition to water, of ancient coins made of silver under Ivan the Terrible. This miracle can be explained by the fact that, having exhausted its energy, the tornado gives back everything that it pulled into itself. Perhaps he retrieved a treasure that was not buried too deeply, but after walking a certain distance, he began to weaken and released it with the rain onto the ground.
• In 1923, in Tennessee, a natural disaster destroyed the walls, ceiling and roof of a residential building and carried them skyward. At the same time, the family who lived in it remained sitting at the table. They all escaped with fear.

In most cases, natural disasters bring nothing to humans except death and destruction. You can verify this by looking at the photos of waterspouts and tornadoes presented in this material.

What to do during a tornado?

Whatever the difference between a tornado and a tornado, these phenomena are dangerous for humans. To survive, you must adhere to certain recommendations.

The first point of any instructions for action in emergency situations is the absence of panic and composure. First of all, you need to find a secluded place. From a strong tornado, only a special bunker can become this.

You shouldn’t try to run away from a rapidly approaching blood clot; it will catch up anyway. It’s better to get your bearings on the area and group up so as not to fall into the crater. It is necessary to find any even insignificant depression or crack and press into it as hard as possible. This way the funnel won’t be able to drag you along with it. In this case, you need to cover your head with your hands to protect it from being hit by any object that may fly nearby.

If you are in an ordinary house without a basement, you should follow the instructions:

• take cover in the center of the room on the first floor;
• stay away from windows;
• close the windows from the approaching elements;
• open and lock the windows on the opposite side;
• turn off water and electricity;
• turn off the gas.

Manipulating the windows will prevent the building from exploding due to pressure changes.