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Tornado Effect On Tornadoes

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Climate change is a global or regional change in typical weather conditions. Although Earth’s climate has changed in the past, studies show that in the last 100 years global average temperatures have increased by more than 1°F (Dunbar). These seemingly small changes can have tremendous implications such as rising sea levels, decrease in ice cover, and change in precipitation patterns. As an extended consequence, extreme weather events are anticipated to become altered as well. The Tri-State tornado of 1925 crossed three state lines causing billions in damage and killing hundreds; it was the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history. It is difficult to determine whether the tornado was altered by climate change. However, we can theorize about the possible effects of climate change on tornadoes in general to gain insight on future outcomes.
Tornadoes arise from supercell thunderstorms. When condensation occurs, latent heat is released causing powerful updrafts of air. Warm, moist air rises and interacts with cooler, drier air high in the atmosphere. As it rises, it moves with increasing speed in different directions. Moisture at the storm’s base allows for the formation of a cloud base which acts as a source of energy for the tornado. A mesocyclone develops, creating a wide column of rotating air which is pulled upwards. Cool, dry, sinking air wraps around the outside of the mesocyclone creating a downdraft. The difference between temperature on the inside of the vortex and the

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