Tornadoes usually move in a certain direction what is it?

Question

I heard it moves in a south west direction, is that true?

and also where is the "safest" area of the home if there is no basement? I hear the bathroom in the lower level is, but wont all those pipes, sink etc hurt while the tornado whips by? Im not kidding

Last weekend my city got hit by 2 tornadoes, so I just want to know because more tornado producing storms might head my way this afternoon - evening.

Answer 1

Toward you!

Answer 2

The average tornado moves from southwest to northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction. The average forward speed is 30 mph but may vary from nearly stationary to 70 mph.

Answer 3

Hah, what a toughtless advices are...

Do not be a tonto to put a matress on the bathtube against tornado.

You can choke there even without tornado within 10 minute by lack of oxygen.

The bustube is good idea, get across on some hard metal crane or bat material but do not insulate that from air.

Answer 4

Tornadoes normally rotate cyclonically in direction (counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere, clockwise in the southern). While large-scale storms always rotate cyclonically due to the Coriolis effect, thunderstorms and tornadoes are so small that the direct influence of Coriolis effect is inconsequential, as indicated by their large Rossby numbers. Supercells and tornadoes rotate cyclonically in numerical simulations even when the Coriolis effect is neglected. Fortunately most significant tornadoes form under the storm's rain-free base, or the area under the thunderstorm's updraft, where there is little or no rain. In addition, most tornadoes occur in the late afternoon.

TORNADO MYTHS:

One of the most persistent myths associated with tornadoes is that opening windows will lessen the damage caused by the tornado. While there is a large drop in atmospheric pressure inside a strong tornado, it is unlikely that the pressure drop would be enough to cause the house to explode. Some research indicates that opening windows may actually increase the severity of the tornado's damage. Regardless of the validity of the explosion claim, time would be better spent seeking shelter before a tornado than opening windows. A violent tornado can destroy a house whether its windows are open or closed

An old belief is that the southwest corner of a basement provides the most protection during a tornado. The safest place is the side or corner of an underground room opposite the tornado's direction of approach (usually the northeast corner), or the central-most room on the lowest floor. Taking shelter under a sturdy table, in a basement, or under a staircase increases chances of survival even more.

Answer 5

i thought it goes east like storms do the best place to go is the tub in the bathroom with mattres on top of the tub covering you

Answer 6

Tornados south of the equator move in a clockwise direction.

North of the equator they move in a counter-clockwise direction.

There are some exceptions but they are rare.

With no basement, the safest place to be is in a bathtub with a mattress over it.

Answer 7

A tornado will move in the same general direction of the parent thunderstorm cell it is associated with.  Thunderstorms tend to track in the direction of the mid level winds.  However, a strong to severe thunderstorm, including those that can produce a strong tornado, can suddenly change direction.  This turning of the thunderstorm is usually somewhat to the right of the initial direction of the thunderstorm is moving.  Because the tornado also has some added influence from low level winds that are near the surface and friction from the ground, it may wobble along the surface in any direction, but in general will stay with the moving thunderstorms it is associated with.  

If you don't have a basement in your home, go into an interior portion of the house.  A bathroom or a closet would be best since these rooms tend to be small and the nearby walls will add extra support.  The water pipes in the walls may actually provide some support for the walls.   Stay way from windows, mirrors, and large glass objects.  Take a pillow or other items that may be used to shield your head and body.  Stay low and get under a table, sink, or even the bathroom tub if you can get something to put over the tub for extra protection.  Keep a cell phone with you.  The sink will provide a little extra protection if the roof caves in or falling debris.

In the United States, you can contact your local NOAA National Weather Service office for additional information and advice.  You can find your local office at the following link...

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/wrh/nwspage.php

Just click on the map and it will take you to the office you choose.

Answer 8

A tornado is just an area of extremely EXTREMELY low pressure. Since everywhere around it is higher pressure than that area, all the wind rushes from high to low pressure. So to know direction of a tornado, I think it best to find out the movement of a high/low pressure system. And as for the safest place,...I heard you should open up your house as much as possible to equalize pressure as much as possible. And as to where to hide...anywhere outside of that town.