Difference Between Derecho and Tornado

Derecho and Tornado are two terms used to describe severe weather events that can cause damage to life and property. While both these events are destructive, they have different characteristics and causes. Understanding the difference between the two is important for people living in areas prone to severe weather conditions. In this article, we will discuss the difference between Derecho and Tornado, their characteristics, causes, and the impact they can have on people and the environment.

Definition:

A Derecho is a widespread, long-lived windstorm that is associated with a line of thunderstorms. It is characterized by a straight-line wind that exceeds 58 miles per hour and can travel for hundreds of miles. Derechoes are usually caused by a combination of cold and warm fronts that create a strong horizontal pressure gradient, leading to the formation of a long-lasting windstorm.

On the other hand, a Tornado is a violent, rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground. It is characterized by a funnel-shaped cloud that rotates around a low-pressure center, with wind speeds that can exceed 300 miles per hour. Tornadoes are formed when there is a collision between cold and warm air masses, leading to the creation of a rotating thunderstorm.

Characteristics of Derecho:

A Derecho is a widespread windstorm that can cause damage to an area that is hundreds of miles long. It is characterized by a straight-line wind that can exceed 58 miles per hour and can last for several hours. The storm is usually associated with a line of thunderstorms and can produce heavy rain, hail, and lightning. The straight-line wind of a Derecho can cause extensive damage to buildings, trees, and power lines. In some cases, the wind can be strong enough to cause widespread power outages, disrupting daily life in affected areas.

Characteristics of Tornado:

A Tornado is a violent, rotating column of air that can cause significant damage to the area it touches. The funnel-shaped cloud is usually visible from a distance, and the sound of a Tornado can be described as a roar or a freight train. The wind speed of a Tornado can exceed 300 miles per hour, and it can move at a speed of up to 70 miles per hour. The path of a Tornado can range from a few hundred feet to several miles, with an average width of 100 to 200 yards. Tornadoes are usually accompanied by heavy rain, hail, and lightning.

Causes of Derecho:

A Derecho is usually caused by a combination of cold and warm fronts that create a strong horizontal pressure gradient. This gradient leads to the formation of a long-lasting windstorm that can travel for hundreds of miles. The cold front pushes the warm air upward, creating a thunderstorm, while the warm air rushes forward, creating the straight-line wind of the Derecho. The storm can continue to move forward, creating more thunderstorms along the way, and causing a chain reaction that can last for several hours.

Causes of Tornado:

Tornadoes are usually formed when there is a collision between cold and warm air masses. When the cold air mass from the north collides with the warm air mass from the south, the warm air is pushed upward, creating a thunderstorm. As the warm air rises, it creates an area of low pressure, which draws the rotating winds from higher in the atmosphere towards the ground. This creates the funnel-shaped cloud of a Tornado. The rotation of the Tornado is caused by the difference in wind speed between the upper and lower levels of the storm.

Impact of Derecho:

A Derecho can cause significant damage to an area that is hundreds of miles long. The straight-line wind of the storm can uproot trees, damage buildings, and knock down power lines, causing widespread power outages. The heavy rain and lightning associated with the Derecho can also cause flash flooding and pose a threat to people's safety. In some cases, the impact of a Derecho can be severe enough to cause fatalities.

In 2012, a Derecho swept across the central and eastern United States, causing widespread damage and power outages. The storm affected an area of over 700 miles, causing 22 deaths and leaving millions without power. The impact of the Derecho was severe enough to be compared to that of a Hurricane.

Impact of Tornado:

Tornadoes are one of the most destructive weather events, causing significant damage to the area they touch. The wind speed of a Tornado can exceed 300 miles per hour, uprooting trees, destroying buildings, and turning vehicles into projectiles. The path of a Tornado can range from a few hundred feet to several miles, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The heavy rain and hail associated with a Tornado can also cause damage to property and pose a threat to people's safety.

In 2011, a series of Tornadoes swept through the southern United States, causing significant damage and loss of life. The storm, which lasted for several days, affected an area of over 2,000 miles and caused over 300 fatalities. The impact of the Tornadoes was severe enough to be classified as one of the deadliest outbreaks in US history.

Difference between Derecho and Tornado:

While both Derecho and Tornado are severe weather events, they have different characteristics and causes. The main difference between the two is that a Derecho is characterized by a straight-line wind that can travel for hundreds of miles, while a Tornado is characterized by a rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground.

The wind speed of a Derecho can exceed 58 miles per hour, while the wind speed of a Tornado can exceed 300 miles per hour. The path of a Derecho can be hundreds of miles long, while the path of a Tornado can range from a few hundred feet to several miles.

Derechoes are usually associated with a line of thunderstorms, while Tornadoes are formed when there is a collision between cold and warm air masses. The impact of a Derecho can be severe enough to cause widespread damage and power outages, while the impact of a Tornado can be catastrophic, causing significant damage to life and property.

Conclusion:

Derecho and Tornado are two severe weather events that can cause significant damage to life and property. While both these events are destructive, they have different characteristics and causes. Understanding the difference between the two is important for people living in areas prone to severe weather conditions.

A Derecho is characterized by a straight-line wind that can travel for hundreds of miles and is caused by a combination of cold and warm fronts. A Tornado is characterized by a rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground and is formed when there is a collision between cold and warm air masses.

The impact of a Derecho can be severe enough to cause widespread damage and power outages, while the impact of a Tornado can be catastrophic, causing significant damage to life and property. It is important for people living in areas prone to severe weather events to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them.

Preparing a disaster kit, having a plan in place, and staying informed about weather conditions can help minimize the impact of severe weather events. Additionally, seeking shelter in a sturdy structure and staying away from windows and doors during a severe weather event can also help ensure personal safety.

In conclusion, Derecho and Tornado are two severe weather events that have different characteristics and causes. A Derecho is characterized by a straight-line wind that can travel for hundreds of miles, while a Tornado is characterized by a rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground. While both these events are destructive, the impact of a Tornado can be catastrophic, causing significant damage to life and property, while the impact of a Derecho can be severe enough to cause widespread damage and power outages. It is important for people living in areas prone to severe weather events to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them.