How to recognize the signs of a tornado?

Tornado phenomenon. (Illustration photo. Source: VNA)

On the morning of September 29, in addition to the negative impacts of storm No. 10 (storm Bualoi), unusual weather phenomena such as strong winds, heavy rains, especially a terrifying tornado appearing in Ninh Binh province, caused many casualties and property damage to people.

After the above phenomenon, meteorological experts from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (Department of Hydro-Meteorology) analyzed the causes, provided ways to identify thunderstorms and tornadoes, and recommended that people regularly monitor weather forecast information to prevent them.

Why do large tornadoes still occur far from the eye of the storm?

According to Dr. Hoang Phuc Lam - Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Storm No. 10 has a stronger and wider circulation in the North of the storm center than the circulation in the South. This is also a common feature of most storms. However, because the northern edge of storms is often subtropical high pressure, this area has a larger pressure boundary.

Mr. Lam also emphasized that the difference between the northern air mass and the air mass in the storm center is larger in terms of temperature, pressure and humidity characteristics, leading to the possibility of the two air masses clashing, causing more frequent thunderstorms and stronger winds in the north of the storm center.

“When Storm No. 10 entered the North Central region, the northern edge of which was located in the Northern Delta, 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, and Hai Phong ,” Mr. Lam shared.

Sharing more, Associate Professor - Doctor Mai Van Khiem, Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, also emphasized that 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 made predictions about the location, intensity, or development of tornadoes and waterspouts.

However, Mr. Khiem noted that in essence, a tornado is also a storm but on a very small scale, both in terms of size, space and duration. Because it occurs in a small, narrow range, it can only be observed with the naked eye.

“Storms also form vortices like that but they last for a long time and have a large spatial scale. Therefore, we have satellites, radars, and computational models to recognize the shape and structure of storms, to monitor and forecast,” Mr. Khiem said.

Hydrometeorological forecasters also pointed out that, in reality, with small-scale tornadoes, radars and satellites are almost unable to capture the location and shape of the tornado. Therefore, measuring, observing and forecasting tornadoes is difficult, and warnings can only be given during thunderstorms with the possibility of tornadoes.

Signs of thunderstorms and how to avoid them

According to hydrometeorological experts, tornadoes 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.

Therefore, to prevent possible thunderstorms, especially before and after storms, people need to regularly monitor weather forecast information for prevention.

When detecting (seeing) signs of a thunderstorm such as dark clouds, cold air and strong winds, you should seek shelter or stay indoors and avoid going out. When indoors, people should close and lock doors and windows, hide under heavy objects such as under tables and beds, and be on the lookout for tornadoes.

In cases near thunderstorms and tornadoes, people should take shelter in sturdy places, not in places like garages or temporary tents.

Along with that, the hydrometeorological agency also recommends that people limit the use of phones during thunderstorms and lightning, except in cases of absolute necessity; avoid wet places such as bathrooms, water tanks, and faucets because these are objects that are easily struck by lightning.

In case you are outdoors and see a thunderstorm, you should immediately find a safe shelter; do not run in the same direction as the storm.

PV (synthesis)

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/lam-sao-nhan-biet-dau-hieu-cua-loc-xoay-522184.html