The most violent of atmospheric storms, a tornado is a powerful vortex, or twister, whose rotational speeds are estimated to be close to 480 kilometers per hour but may occasionally exceed 800 kilometers per hour. The direction of rotation in the Northern Hemisphere is usually, though not exclusively, counterclockwise.
Some tornadoes give no visible warning until their destruction strikes the unsuspecting victims.
Tornadoes often occur in groups, and several twisters sometimes descend from the same cloud base. From Encyclopedia Britannica. Tornados can be frightening if you do not know the right ways to protect yourself from them. Listen to the latest Kansas Weather Update. Draw a picture of the tornado nearest you.