5 Different Types of Tornadoes

Just like clouds, storms, and hurricanes, not all tornadoes are the same. Each category comes with its unique shape and potential for destruction. If you’re moving to a state in the US Tornado Alley, you should make sure you know what you’re up against.

However, for most normal people, the only way to deal with any kind of tornado is to just run and bolt the doors on their tornado safe rooms!

Cone Tornadoes

This is probably what you think of when tornadoes come up. The cone tornado gets its name from its shape. With a narrower end, the cone tornado is wider where it meets the sky, often widening up two or three-fold as it expands into its storm.

These tornadoes can leave a wider wake of destruction in their path, owing to the wide base that tramples and whisks as it travels. Beware of this one!

Rope Tornadoes

Rope tornadoes are the smallest ones on the list and are, thankfully, the most common. They get their name from their slim, rope-esque appearance as well. You may find that most tornadoes start off as rope tornadoes and can look like one when they end as well. However, this category exists independently too.

What may surprise you is that even though rope tornadoes don’t last as long and have a limited surface area, they can be just as intense as other kinds. Rope tornadoes concentrate all their force onto one spot, which can devastate whatever comes in its way.

Multi-vortex tornadoes

Multi-vortex tornadoes are known as such because there are multiple emerging from the same storm. Supercell storms that cause tornadoes in the first place have strong circulation due to an updraft.

This can lead to small, rope tornadoes that circle around the main one. These additional tornadoes are unlikely to do much damage, although they can definitely look way more dangerous!

Waterspouts

Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over a body of water, and while that can sound pretty intimidating, they usually never move onto land. That makes them quite benign. Waterspouts aren’t even always included in tornado records if they don’t move onto land.

The interesting thing about waterspouts is that they rarely develop as a result of supercell thunderstorms, which is why they’re not as destructive. They can cause rain and overturn boats, but not enough to do fatal damage.

Wedge Tornadoes

The most destructive category of tornadoes is wedge tornadoes. These are wider than they are tall and usually have a large mouth that touches the ground, giving them increased access to do more damage.

These tornadoes are usually EF-3 and above, which makes them a major tornado type. When faced with something like this, the best thing to do is to get into your tornado safe room or above-ground storm shelter immediately.