Tornado records
Introduction
A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. Tornadoes are among the most destructive forces of nature, capable of causing significant damage and loss of life. This article explores the records associated with tornadoes, including the most powerful, deadliest, and longest-lasting tornadoes ever recorded.
Most Powerful Tornadoes
The power of a tornado is typically measured by the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, which rates tornadoes based on the damage they cause to human-built structures and vegetation. The highest rating on the EF scale is EF5, which is reserved for the most destructive tornadoes.
The El Reno tornado that occurred on May 24, 2011, is considered one of the most powerful tornadoes ever recorded. This tornado reached an estimated peak wind speed of 302 mph (486 km/h), the highest wind speed ever recorded on Earth. The tornado was also remarkable for its size, reaching a maximum width of 2.6 miles (4.2 km), making it the widest tornado ever recorded.
Deadliest Tornadoes
The deadliest tornado in history was the Daulatpur-Saturia tornado that struck Bangladesh on April 26, 1989. This tornado killed approximately 1,300 people, making it the deadliest tornado on record. The high death toll was due in part to the high population density in the area and the lack of adequate shelter.
In the United States, the deadliest tornado was the Tri-State Tornado that occurred on March 18, 1925. This tornado traveled through parts of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, killing at least 695 people.
Longest-lasting Tornadoes
The duration of a tornado is another important measure of its intensity. The longest-lasting tornado on record is the Tri-State Tornado of 1925. This tornado was on the ground for about 3.5 hours, traveling a distance of 219 miles (352 km).
Another long-lasting tornado was the 2013 El Reno tornado, which was on the ground for approximately 40 minutes and traveled a distance of 16.2 miles (26.1 km).
Tornado Records by Continent
Each continent has its own unique tornado records. In North America, the United States holds most of the continent's tornado records, including the most powerful and deadliest tornadoes.
In Europe, the United Kingdom holds the record for the most tornadoes per area. The most powerful tornado recorded in Europe was the 1984 Ivanovo tornado in Russia, which was rated as an F5 on the original Fujita scale.
In Asia, Bangladesh holds the record for the deadliest tornado, while China holds the record for the most tornadoes.
In Australia, the most powerful tornado was the 1973 Brisbane tornado, which was rated as an F4 on the original Fujita scale.