Final answer:
Tornadoes are rapidly rotating winds that blow counterclockwise around a small area of intense low pressure. They are a natural phenomenon that occurs during severe thunderstorms and can reach wind speeds as high as 500 km/h. The Coriolis force causes hurricanes to rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tornadoes are rapidly rotating winds that blow counterclockwise around a small area of intense low pressure. They are a natural phenomenon that occurs during severe thunderstorms called supercells. These rotating winds are caused by the difference in wind speeds between strong cold winds in the atmosphere and weaker winds traveling from the Gulf of Mexico.
Tornadoes can reach wind speeds as high as 500 km/h and can cause significant destruction, blowing houses away and even piercing tree trunks. They descend from clouds in funnel-like shapes and spin violently, particularly at the bottom where they are most narrow.
The Coriolis force, which is a result of the Earth's rotation, causes hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere to rotate counterclockwise, while tropical cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere rotate clockwise.