July 13, 2025

It's A Twister!

Tornadoes are some of nature’s most powerful and unpredictable forces, capable of leveling entire neighborhoods in a matter of seconds. These violent storms have fascinated and terrified people for centuries, especially in regions like the central United States where they occur most frequently. Whether you're a weather enthusiast or just want to be better prepared, this quiz will test your knowledge of tornado facts, safety tips, and more. Ready to see how much you know about these swirling giants? Let’s get started!

1. What is a tornado?
A) A type of earthquake
B) A rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground
C) A large tidal wave
D) A winter storm with strong winds

2. What is the area in the U.S. most commonly affected by tornadoes known as?
A) Hurricane Alley
B) Dust Bowl
C) Tornado Alley
D) Cyclone Zone

3. Which scale is most commonly used to measure the intensity of tornadoes?
A) Richter Scale
B) Saffir-Simpson Scale
C) Fujita Scale
D) Beaufort Scale

4. What is the highest rating a tornado can receive on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale?
A) EF3
B) EF4
C) EF5
D) EF6

5. What type of cloud is most commonly associated with tornado formation?
A) Stratus
B) Cumulonimbus
C) Cirrus
D) Nimbostratus

6. How long do most tornadoes last?
A) A few seconds
B) Several hours
C) 10 to 20 minutes
D) Less than 10 minutes

7. What U.S. state experiences the most tornadoes annually?
A) Texas
B) Florida
C) Oklahoma
D) Kansas

8. What is a tornado watch?
A) A warning that a tornado is currently on the ground
B) A notification that conditions are right for a tornado to form
C) A weather app feature
D) A time when tornadoes cannot form


9. What safety action should you take if you're in a house during a tornado?
A) Stand near windows
B) Go to the top floor
C) Seek shelter in a basement or interior room without windows
D) Run outside


10. What is the nickname for the strongest, most destructive tornadoes?
A) Cyclone Tornadoes
B) Monster Twisters
C) Supercells
D) Wedge Tornadoes

Answer Key:
B) A rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground
C) Tornado Alley
C) Fujita Scale
C) EF5
B) Cumulonimbus
D) Less than 10 minutes
A) Texas
B) A notification that conditions are right for a tornado to form
C) Seek shelter in a basement or interior room without windows
D) Wedge Tornadoes