Tornadoes in Question?
Data Story
Students use data from this SPC National Severe Weather Database Browser to ask and answer questions about tornadoes. Students use the Language for Asking Questions handout to consider what types of questions they are posing.
Welcome to this Tuva data story! A tornado is a tightly spinning column of air that reaches from the base of a thunderstorm towards the ground. The strong winds of a tornado carry moisture, dust, and debris upwards within its spinning column of air. Tornadoes can be dangerous because their energy is concentrated into a very small area. Tornado strength (magnitude) is rated from EF 1 (the weakest tornadoes) to EF 5 (the strongest tornadoes). Strong tornadoes can uproot trees, hurl objects through the air, and flatten even well-made buildings and houses. In this data story, you will ask and answer questions about tornadoes. You can use the Language for Asking Questions Guide to help you decide what kind of question to ask. Click Next to get started!
Topics and standards: Science, Earth Science, Weather, MS-ESS3-2, HS-ESS3-1, Natural Hazards, Grades 9-12, Grades 6-8, Ask-Questions, In The News!, S6E4.D, TEKS Science EARTH.9.D, TEKS Science EARTH.12.A, TEKS Science EARTH.12.B, TEKS Science EARTH.12.C, TEKS Science ENV.12.A, ELD-Support, 8-ESS3-1, 3.3.6-8.L, 3.3.9-12.O