explain the difference between hurricane and a tornado? Use visuals where needed.
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Hurricanes and tornadoes are both powerful weather phenomena, but they differ significantly in size, formation, and behavior. A hurricane is a massive tropical cyclone that forms over warm ocean waters, while a tornado is a violent rotating column of air that extends from thunderstorms to the ground.
The size difference between hurricanes and tornadoes is dramatic. Hurricanes can span hundreds of miles in diameter, often covering entire states and lasting for days or weeks. In contrast, tornadoes are much smaller, typically only a few hundred yards wide, and usually last just minutes to an hour, affecting only small localized areas.
Hurricanes and tornadoes form in completely different environments. Hurricanes develop over warm ocean waters with temperatures of at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit, drawing energy from the heat and moisture of the ocean. Tornadoes, on the other hand, form from severe thunderstorms over land, requiring atmospheric instability and wind shear to create their rotating motion.
Wind speeds are measured differently for hurricanes and tornadoes. Hurricanes use the Saffir-Simpson scale with categories 1 through 5, based on sustained wind speeds from 74 mph to over 157 mph. Tornadoes use the Enhanced Fujita scale, EF0 through EF5, estimated from damage patterns. While hurricanes rarely exceed 200 mph, the strongest tornadoes can reach over 300 mph, making them more intense but much more localized.
The damage patterns of hurricanes and tornadoes reflect their different characteristics. Hurricanes cause widespread damage over large areas through flooding, storm surge, and sustained winds affecting entire coastal regions. Tornadoes create intense, localized destruction along a narrow path, completely devastating everything in their way but leaving adjacent areas untouched. Understanding these differences helps communities prepare for and respond to these powerful weather phenomena.