A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.
Tornadoes come in many different shapes and sizes.
On the average, tornadoes move from southwest to northeast, but they have been known to move in any direction. The average forward speed they move is 30 mph, but can vary from nearly stationary to 70 mph. Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year. In this area, peak tornado occurrence is in April, May, and June. Although tornadoes are more likely to occur during the hours of 3pm and 9pm, they can occur at all hours of the day or night.