Tornado Alley

Eric AngatEnvironmental Science

Why is it called "GOES"?

G-O-E-S is an acronym that stands for

Geostationary Operational Environmental

Satellite.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

National Severe Storms Laboratory ( NSSL)

Geostationary Orbit is where a satellite revolves around the Earth at a speed which matches the Earth's rotation, so as to remain above the same location and appear stationary.

Notebook Activity

1. Open your notebook on a blank page. Write the title of the lesson and the date. The title of the lesson is “ Tornado Alley”.

2. Copy the five questions ( found on the next slide) and answer them.

3. Draw the Map of the United States with the “Tornado Alley” marked ( found on the 5th slide).

Tornado Alley

1. What is the “Tornado Alley”?

2. What are the states that are frequently visited by tornadoes?

3. Why are tornadoes frequent in those states?

4. Name the months when tornadoes are most frequent.

5. What year did the United States experience the most EF3-EF5 tornadoes? EF means Enhanced Fujita Scale (2007).

Tornado Alleyan area of the Great Plains centered on eastern Kansas and Oklahoma and including parts of the surrounding states, where tornadoes are frequent.

According to the storm events database of the National Climatic Data Center, Texas reports more tornadoes than any other state, though this state's relatively large land area should be taken into account. Kansas and Oklahoma are second and third, respectively, for sheer number of tornadoes reported, but report more of them per unit of land area than does Texas. However, the density of tornado occurrences in northern Texas is comparable to that of Oklahoma and Kansas. Florida also reports a high number and density of tornado occurrences, though only rarely do tornadoes there approach the strength of those that sometimes strike the southern plains.

Why Does Tornado Alley Get So Many Tornadoes?Conditions in tornado alley are favorable for tornado formation. During the summer, the plains of Middle America get very hot (creating updrafts) and there are many thunderstorms. Tornadoes form during thunderstorms, when unstable hot air near the ground rises and meets the cooler air above in the thunder clouds. Tornadoes can form at any time of the year, but most of them form from March to August (in the Northern Hemisphere).

Why should you not go under a tree during a thunderstorm?

Because lightning hits the tallest object.

Why is it called "GOES"?

G-O-E-S is an acronym that stands for

Geostationary Operational Environmental

Satellite.