A tornado is a column of air rotating quite violently and extending between a thunderstorm cloud and the earth's surface. While most tornado winds blow at 100 mph or less, the most violent can reach speeds of more than 250 mph.
	Tornadoes can happen any time and just about anywhere in the world. Yet, the United States has such unique geography that it produces the most favorable conditions for tornadoes to develop.
	Overall, April, May and June are the months with the greastest number of tornadoes. But tornadoes can happen during any month throughout the year.
	In general, tornadoes are most possible in the South in late winter and early spring. Likewise, tornadoes are most frequent from early spring through summer in the Plains states, the Midwest and the Ohio Valley.
	Tornadoes are more likely to occur from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm, though tornadoes can occur any time of day. Most tornadoes form around 5:00 pm.
	A major contributing factor to the seasonal development of tornadoes is the almost continuous narrow band of air that moves between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres known as the Jet Stream. As it flows from West to East around the globe, the warm air from the equator and the cool, polar air are constantly meeting. These circumstances have the ability to produce highly volatile conditions; especially as the jet stream migrates northward from winter to summer. In fact, a secondary season of tornadoes can start in late autumn in southern states as the Jet Stream moves south for the winter.	Fujita Scale F-0   Light damage   Wind up to 72 mph F-1   Moderate damage   Wind 73 to 112 mph F-2   Considerable damage   Wind 113 to 157 mph F-3   Severe damage   Wind 158 to 206 mph F-4   Devastating damage   Wind 207 - 260 mph F-5   Incredible damage   Wind above 261 mph

Stay Alive...Be Safe. If a tornado occurs remember these suggestions:

At Home		• The safest place to be is underground. • Go to a basement or cellar. • If there's no basement, go to a small room in the middle of the house. • Residents of mobile homes should immediately seek shelter somewhere else.
In A Car		• DO NOT try to outrun a tornado! • Get out of your vehicle. • Seek a safe structure or • Lie down in a low area with your hands covering the back of your head and neck. • Stay alert for flash floods.
At School Or At Work		• Be aware of the emergy shelter plans. • Move into interior hallways or small rooms on the building's lowest level. • Avoid areas with glass and wide, freespan roofs.
At A Store Or Shopping Mall		• If you can't get into a basement or designated shelter, move to the lowest level of the building. • Stay clear of windows. • Lie Flat.