Tornadoes are a worldwide phenomenon by Jay Wynne
Despite Hollywood movies perhaps suggesting otherwise, tornadoes have been reported from every continent in the world. All except Antarctica, which is far too cold and dry for them to form. The United States of America IS the country with the highest number of reported tornadoes per year (about a thousand annually), but running a close second is Australia. It’s from here that the latest news report of a tornado has come.
The fishing village of Leeman, on the Western Australian mid-west coast, was hit without warning on Tuesday morning. A 15 metre- (49 feet-) wide tornado passed straight through the centre, damaging buildings, trees and power lines. There were no reports of any injuries but residents now face a huge clean-up task.
Australia and the USA share similarities in their terrain that are favourable to tornado formation. The Great Plains of the US and flat, open landscape of Australia’s outback are perfect: there are no sudden changes in terrain that can shorten the life of a tornado. For this reason it is clear to see how the low-lying generally flat Netherlands has twice as many tornadoes as its large neighbour Germany and the even larger France. Europe as a whole has an estimated average of 300 tornadoes a year.
The UK has on average the most number of tornadoes per square mile than any other country in the world, even the USA. Despite being less frequent and generally less destructive than their American counterparts, UK tornadoes are still a threat. Around 30 to 35 reported tornadoes in an average year; this year’s reports include the tornado that struck Birmingham on the 28th July.
On the same day tornadoes were also reported from Wymondham in Leicestershire and Peterborough. Since then reports of another three tornadoes have been received by the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO), bringing the tally of reported UK tornadoes to 39 so far in 2005.
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