In addition, it will give researchers a better understanding of the changes in the structure of hurricanes after landfall. The tornado is nature s most intense storm producing winds as strong as 300 miles per hour. North Carolina exhibits a large spatial variation in the occurrence of tornadoes due to the complex climate of the state. The increased frequency of tornadoes in the southeastern portion of the state suggest mesoscale processes associated with land-sea interaction and physiological differences in soil characteristics may play a role in the formation of tornado producing thunderstorms. Tornadoes are classified by the Fujita scale according to their rotational wind speed.
Most damage is due to flying debris and violent winds.
In some cases tornadoes may contain smaller vortices that rotate within them. Such tornadoes are known as multi-vortex tornadoes. The State Climate Office is working with public and private agencies to develop the NC ECO Net, which will be extremely valuable in forecasting severe weather and tornadoes in North Carolina by providing real-time information during emergency situations. He will serve on this committee from 1999-2002.