Alternate theory on Tornado winds [View all]

[RobertEarl]

Here is my theory:

In a tornado there is a terrific downdraft. A relatively small circular column of air moving down from the clouds above. Because of this downdraft a low pressure area is created in the cloud.

As the downdraft reaches the ground it forces the air at the ground to begin moving, and in that motion it seeks to fill the low pressure area created in the cloud above by the downdraft and so begins to rise.

Rising air does so in a left turn or counter-clockwise motion as seen from above. And that is what we see - a left turning rising air column. Those are the sideway winds that blow stuff around. But inside of what we see, is a tremendous downdraft of cold air!

Having looked at many a tornado damage picture, I have noticed that buildings do seem to be as if squashed from above. Not only do we see sideway wind effects, but the remains in some destroyed buildings seem as if they were never hit hard with winds that were blowing sideways. Like things still sitting on shelves. Some items not moved at all, while the walls were laid out to the sides.

Just a theory. Feel free to discuss.