How often have you wondered if there is a difference between a twister and a tornado? So many people do, actually!
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air over land, typically linked with a severe thunderstorm.
Tornadoes can be several hundred meters in diameter and last anywhere from a few seconds to an hour.
However, how do you define twisters? What is the difference between a tornado and a twister?
There is no real difference between a tornado and a twister because they are two different words representing the same weather events.
Understanding a Difference between a Twister and a Tornado
Many people become confused since “tornado” and “twister” are sometimes used interchangeably when discussing violent weather. Is it wrong?
Turns out, they are not two distinct phenomena but rather two different for the same weather occurrence.
If you look deeply into the origin of both these words, you will understand more about why they represent the same thing.
Fact: Tornadoes or twisters can generate a powerful updraft that can uproot trees and move automobiles, among other things, causing extensive destruction.
Why Two Words for the Same Weather Event?
The violent rotation of a column of air from a thunderstorm to the ground is what meteorologists refer to as a tornado or twister.
While both terms mean the same thing, regional language differences may make one more common than the other.
Many factors also play a role in making these words popular, including:
- Regional dialects
- Media portrayal
- Cultural influences
Despite the widespread use of the term “tornado” in scientific and meteorological contexts, the term “twister” may be more widely used in everyday speech in some regions.
Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that the linguistic differences between the two phenomena are simply different names for the same type of meteorological phenomenon.
Understanding More about Twisters and Tornadoes
Let’s dig a bit deeper into various characteristics of tornadoes and twisters to determine if they truly represent the same weather phenomenon:
Formation
Something you will quickly notice is that both tornadoes and twisters have the same meteorological roots.
Both twisters and tornadoes are common during violent thunderstorms, particularly in conjunction with a certain type of thunderstorm known as a supercell.
Tornadoes and twisters originate in supercell thunderstorms because of the intense, swirling updrafts that define these storms.
A tornado or twister is formed when the wind changes direction and speed at different elevations, causing a whirling column of air.
The characteristic funnel cloud of a tornado forms as this column of air collides with the earth.
Shape
The distinctive funnel form of a tornado or a twister is a telltale sign of either of these weather phenomena.
The tip of the funnel, which is narrower, touches the ground, while the broader base remains attached to the parent thunderstorm cloud.
The revolving air column interacts with pressure and temperature gradients in the atmosphere to create the funnel shape.
Fact: The condensation of moisture in the air and the piling of material lifted from the ground give tornadoes and twisters their distinctive funnel shape.
Rotation
The Coriolis effect plays a significant role in the rotation of tornadoes and twisters.
Tornadoes in the Northern Hemisphere have a counterclockwise rotation, while those in the Southern Hemisphere have a clockwise one.
Thunderstorm clouds rotate due to the dynamic interplay between warm, moist air near the Earth’s surface and cooler, dry air descending from above.
When the warmer air rises and meets the cooler air, the air column spins around its axis.
Tornadoes and twisters get their devastating power and unique appearance from this spin, which grows stronger as the storm progresses.
Wind Speed
Tornadoes and twisters can produce winds in excess of 200 miles per hour in their most violent forms.
These extreme wind speeds are a contributing factor to the widespread damage that these weather events can cause.
The strong winds can cause structural damage, uproot trees, launch automobiles, and transform otherwise harmless objects into lethal projectiles.
Therefore, during severe weather events, it is crucial to understand and respect the power of tornadoes and twisters, as they pose a significant threat to life, property, and infrastructure.
Duration
Tornadoes and twisters can have life spans anywhere from a few seconds to over an hour.
This variation in duration is due to a number of variables, such as:
- The strength of the parent thunderstorm
- The consistency of the weather around it
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data indicates that the majority of tornadoes in the United States (around 77%) are short-lived, lasting less than 10 minutes.
Tornadoes with such low wind speeds are often less than 110 mph.
But about 20% of tornadoes are powerful, lasting between 10 minutes and about 1 hour with wind speeds between 110 and 205 mph.
Fact: Tornadoes with sustained winds of more than 205 mph and durations of more than an hour account for less than 3% of all tornadoes.
Size
Tornadoes and twisters come in a wide range of sizes, with the funnel’s diameter spanning anywhere from a few feet to more than a mile.
Although tornadoes can be much larger or smaller depending on the circumstances, NOAA reports that the average width of a tornado is about 500 yards.
For real-world examples, the widest tornado on record was the El Reno Tornado, which hit Oklahoma on May 31, 2013, and measured a maximum width of 2.6 miles.
Moreover, some tornadoes can be very narrow, with widths of only a few feet.
These twisters are less destructive than their larger counterparts and have earned the nickname “rope tornadoes” for their elongated shape, but they are still a threat.
Fact: The El Reno Tornado was one of the deadliest due to its immense size, which resulted in widespread property destruction and numerous fatalities.
Impact
Due to their enormous wind speeds and ability to pick up and fling debris, tornadoes and twisters can wreak extensive damage.
The most common forms of destruction brought on by tornadoes and twisters are:
Damage to Buildings and Structures
Tornadoes and twisters can cause significant damage to, or even completely demolish, buildings and homes.
Roofs can be torn off, walls can collapse, and extreme wind speeds can flatten entire buildings.
Damage to Vegetation
Tornadoes and twisters can severely damage vegetation and trees, and their uprooting can cause further problems for buildings and utilities.
Damage to Transportation
Tornadoes and twisters are capable of wreaking havoc on the transportation system by damaging or destroying roads, railroads, and bridges.
Damage to Power Lines
Tornadoes and twisters can cause significant power disruptions due to the destruction of power lines and other electrical equipment.
Fact: As a result of flying objects, collapsing buildings, and other hazards, tornadoes and twisters can cause serious injury and even death.
Safety Precautions Tornadoes and Twisters Warrant
No matter if someone uses the word twister or tornado, they are referring to the same weather event, which can cause serious harm to buildings and infrastructures.
Therefore, you need to take safety precautions if you receive a warning of a tornado or twister.
You should protect yourself from these dangerous storms whether you call them a “tornado” or a “twister.”
Here is what you can do:
Stay Informed
Keep an eye on the forecast and pay attention to any watches or warnings for tornadoes in your region.
Be Prepared
Make sure you and your loved ones know what to do, where to go, and how to get in touch in the event of an emergency, such as a tornado or twister.
Find Shelter
Seek refuge immediately in a strong building, especially in a compact, windowless room on the lowest level of the structure, like a basement or internal bathroom or closet.
Protect Yourself
Avoid standing near glass doors or windows, as they may shatter if there is a strong wind or flying objects.
A mattress, heavy blankets, or a stack of pillows can serve as a makeshift shield against falling objects in the event of a disaster.
Takeaway
Is there any difference between a twister and a tornado? Not really! While both “tornado” and “twister” describe the same weather phenomenon, their usage may vary from region to region.
One phrase may be more common than the other in specific areas because of regional dialects, media, or cultural influences.
It is important to remember, though, that regional variances in terminology have nothing to do with genuine differences between tornadoes and twisters.
