Wild, Wild Weather all About Tornadoes and Waterspouts

Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

"It's raining! It's pouring! The old man is snoring!" Have you ever heard that song? It is a famous tune about the

weather. Weather is

something that affects al of us daily. Extreme weather is something that affects most people only a few times in their lives.

Extreme weather includes flooding rains, tornadoes, blizzards, and hurricanes. People study weather so they can inform us. These are the people who give us the information we need so that we can remain safe

the case of extreme weather.

Tornadoes

A tornado is a storm that can cause destruction in its path. Winds

can reach up to 300 mph! Tornadoes form from thunderstorms. They are most common in an area of the United States called Tornado Alley.

This area is where many tornadoes form because of the way the air moves.

Cool, dry air from the north and warm, moist air from the south meet. This causes thunderstorms, which can become severe. When the atmosphere is not stable, the winds can increase and produce a tornado.

Waterspouts

A waterspout is a weak tornado. tI forms over water. It can happen on

the ocean. It can happen on smaller bodies of water, such as lakes.

Waterspouts are most common in the Gulf of Mexico. They have occurred in the tropics as well. Waterspouts can pick up things, such as animals or tree limbs, and drop them in other places. If a waterspout moves onto land, it becomes a tornado and can cause damage.

Wild weather comes in many forms. Tornadoes and waterspouts are directly related and look alike. Both weather events require attention because they can be dangerous to humans and animals. Wild weather is fascinating, and it is completely unpredictable sometimes!

Are you ready?

• yes

• no

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Tornadoes A tornado is a storm that can cause ​ (a)   in its path. Winds can reach up to (b)   ! Tornadoes form from thunderstorms. They are most common in an area of the United States called (c)   . This area is where many tornadoes form because of the way the air moves. ​ (d)   , dry air from the north and warm, moist air from the south meet. This causes thunderstorms, which can become severe. When the atmosphere is not stable, the winds can increase and produce a tornado. ​ ​

• 300 mph
• Tornado Alley
• Cool
• destruction

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Waterspouts

A waterspout is a weak tornado. It forms over ​ (a)   . It can happen on the ocean. It can happen on smaller bodies of water, such as ​ (b)   . Waterspouts are most common in the ​ (c)   . They have occurred in the tropics as well. Waterspouts can pick up things, such as animals or tree limbs, and drop them in other places. If a waterspout moves onto land, it becomes a tornado and can cause damage. Wild weather comes in many forms. Tornadoes and waterspouts are directly related and look alike. Both weather events require attention because they can be ​ (d)   to humans and animals. Wild weather is fascinating, and it is completely unpredictable sometimes!

• water
• lakes
• Gulf of Mexico
• dangerous

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What is the main topic of the passage?

• Extreme sports

• Extreme weather

• Extreme cooking

• Extreme travel

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What is a tornado?

• A type of rain

• A storm that can cause destruction

• A type of cloud

• A type of wind.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Where are tornadoes most common?

• Tornado Valley

• Tornado Alley

• Tornado Street

• Tornado Lane

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What causes a tornado to form?

• Cool, dry air from the north and warm, moist air from the south meet

• Only warm air

• Only cold air

• Rain

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

A waterspout is a weak ______.

• hurricane

• tornado

• blizzard

• flood

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Where do waterspouts most commonly occur?

• Gulf of Mexico

• Atlantic Ocean

• Pacific Ocean

• Indian Ocean

What can waterspouts pick up?

• Cars

• Animals or tree limbs

• Houses

• Rocks