How do tornadoes form?

Tornadoes are some of the most destructive natural phenomena on Earth, capable of causing severe damage to buildings and communities in just a matter of minutes. Understanding how tornadoes form is crucial in order to be better prepared for such occurrences.

Tornadoes form when warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico collides with cool, dry air from Canada, creating instability in the atmosphere. This unstable air rises rapidly, and if it encounters strong wind shear (changes in wind speed and direction with height), it can start to rotate, creating a horizontal spinning effect.

If the spinning air continues to gain strength, it can create a rotating column of air, or a mesocyclone. When this column of air reaches the ground, it becomes a tornado.

Tornadoes can form in a variety of settings, but are most common in the central United States, an area known as Tornado Alley. They can occur at any time of year, but are most likely to occur in the spring and early summer months.