Climate change triggers more intense storms

Photo caption — Authorities urgently overcome the consequences caused by a tornado in Dam Ha commune ( Quang Ninh ). Photo: VNA

The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as thunderstorms are increasing, causing serious damage to people and property.

Thunderstorms often occur in areas where there are thunderstorms. Coastal plains and transitional areas between the plains and midlands are often places where strong thunderstorms and tornadoes are likely to form due to open terrain, few obstacles and high humidity.

Referring to the ability to predict thunderstorms and tornadoes, Dr. Mai Van Khiem said that because tornadoes are very small in scale, with diameters of only a few dozen to one or two hundred meters, radars and satellites are almost unable to capture the location and shape of tornadoes.

Therefore, the work of measuring, observing and forecasting tornadoes is very difficult. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting can only warn of thunderstorms that are likely to produce tornadoes. Currently, meteorological science only warns of the possibility of tornadoes, waterspouts and hail in conditions with very strong thunderstorm clouds, formed in a hot, humid and highly unstable environment, but has not yet been able to make predictions about the location, intensity or development of tornadoes and waterspouts.

Mr. Mai Van Khiem analyzed that, in terms of morphology, a tornado is also a type of atmospheric vortex similar to a storm, but different in scale and formation mechanism: a storm is hundreds of kilometers in size, exists for many days at sea, while a tornado is only a few hundred meters wide and forms locally during strong thunderstorms and exists for a very short time.

“For storms that also form vortices but last for a long time and have a large spatial scale, we have satellites, radars, and computational models that know the shape and structure of the storm. When we analyze and monitor them, we can make predictions. As for thunderstorms and tornadoes that occur in a narrow, small area, we can only observe them with the naked eye,” said Mr. Mai Van Khiem.

Regarding information on thunderstorms and tornadoes from a meteorological perspective, Dr. Hoang Phuc Lam, Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said that there are tornadoes that are very small in scale (a few dozen to a few hundred meters), short in duration (a few minutes to a few dozen minutes) and are usually only recorded in large open spaces such as fields, along highways and are rarely recorded in cities due to narrower spaces.

Tornadoes occur on a small scale, so the number of tornadoes recorded is mainly by chance, possibly because passersby and people actively observe and turn back to see them. On the monitoring system of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, they are only recorded if they occur at measuring stations with observers.

Mr. Lam warned that although tornadoes are small in scale, their wind speeds are very high, equivalent to hurricane winds and strong gusts in thunderstorms. Therefore, the damage to people, property, trees, and objects swept away by tornadoes is very large, causing damage along the path of the tornado.

“When Storm No. 10 entered the North Central region, the northern edge was located in the Northern Delta, so strong thunderstorms occurred. Many large thunderstorms formed on the morning of September 29, accompanied by tornadoes recorded by phone cameras of people in localities such as Ninh Binh, Hung Yen, Hai Phong …” - Mr. Lam gave an example.

To prevent and avoid thunderstorms, people need to regularly monitor weather forecast information to avoid them. Note that when there are signs of thunderstorms such as dark clouds, cold air and strong winds, find shelter or stay indoors and do not go outside.

When indoors, people should close and lock doors and windows, take cover under heavy objects such as tables and beds, to avoid tornadoes. They should take shelter in sturdy places, not in places such as garages or temporary tents.

Avoid using your phone during thunderstorms unless absolutely necessary; avoid damp areas such as bathrooms, water tanks, and faucets as these are susceptible to lightning.

If you are outside and a thunderstorm is brewing, seek shelter immediately. Do not run in the same direction as the storm is moving...

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/bien-doi-khi-haus-kich-hoat-dong-loc-du-doi-hon-20251001083318060.htm