Shifting Twisters (Scholastic Science News)

According to the article, what have scientists observed about tornadoes over the past 30 years?

• The frequency of tornadoes in Tornado Alley is increasing.

• The overall number of tornadoes in the U.S. is decreasing.

• There is an increase in the number of tornadoes in the Southeast.

• There are now fewer tornadoes in the Midwest than anywhere else in the U.S.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Which of the following states is experiencing more tornadoes than in the past? Check all that apply.

• Louisiana

• Tennessee

• Oklahoma

• California

• North Dakota

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What factor related to climate change could be causing fewer tornadoes to occur in Tornado Alley?

• There has been an increase of moisture in the air.

• The area has become hotter and drier.

• Winds have gotten stronger.

• Thunderstorms have become more common.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Which of the following are reasons why tornadoes may cause more injuries and deaths in the Southeast than in Tornado Alley? Choose all that apply.

• The Southeast is more densely populated.

• More people in the Southeast live in homes that aren’t built to withstand tornadoes.

• Tornadoes are occurring daily in the Southeast.

• The Southeast has cooler summers than Tornado Alley.

Why is it difficult for scientists to pinpoint the exact reason tornado patterns in the U.S. seem to be shifting?

• because the tornadoes move too fast for scientists to study

• because tornadoes have struck all 50 states

• because they only have data for Tornado Alley

• because official records of tornadoes only go back to the 1950s