Small Scale Atmospheric Disturbances (tornadoes)

Question 1

Reasons for the pattern of tornadoes in USA

Answer 1

• The interaction of hot humid air from the Gulf of Mexico and cold air from the north. The warm air is unstable, the cold air is denser and stable so it forces the warm moist air to rise. The warm air cools and condenses and produces thunderstorm clouds. This occurs in the “Tornado alley” central Texas.
• The relief of the land. Mountainous area such as the Rocky Mountains creates conditions for wind shear which helps twist and elongate thunderstorms which increase the chance of tornadoes.