How are twisters formed?
Twisters or tornadoes are still one of the elusive creatures of the atmosphere. Although our understanding of tornadoes has improved over the years, we still do not have a complete understanding of how tornadoes form. There are a few very good theories, but it will take many more years of research and study before we have a more complete understanding of this phenomenon. Here’s what we know so far: most tornadoes form in severe or intense thunderstorms. As warm, moist unstable air rushes into a thunderstorm, it collides with cold, dry air rushing down from upper regions of the storm cell. Strong surface winds and jet stream winds above the storm work together to intensify the storm and cause the base of the storm cell to begin spinning. Tornadoes are born in this “spinning” region at the thunderstorm’s base. As long as the storm continues to show some spinning at the base, there is a high risk of tornado formation.
