A vortex in a tornado refers to a rapidly rotating column of air that forms within the tornado itself. This rotation is a fundamental characteristic of tornadoes and is what gives them their distinctive swirling shape.
Tornadoes develop from severe thunderstorms, particularly supercells, where warm, moist air meets cold, dry air. This combination can create a rotation due to wind shear, which is the change in speed and direction of the wind at different altitudes. The rotating air forms a cyclone, and if conditions are right, a vortex develops and extends downward from the storm cloud.
The vortex is typically visible as the visible funnel of the tornado and can vary in size and intensity. It is the part of the tornado that moves along the ground and causes destruction. Because the vortex is extremely low-pressure, it can draw in air, debris, and other objects from the surrounding area, which contributes to the powerful winds and the damage associated with tornadoes.
In essence, the vortex is the core of the tornado’s destructive power, intensifying as it narrows and accelerates the wind speeds, making it a key feature in understanding how tornadoes form and behave.