A narrow violent funnel-shaped column of spiral winds that extends downward from a thunderstorm is called a

A narrow violent funnel-shaped column of spiral winds that extends downward from a thunderstorm is called a

• A. Cyclone
• B. Hurricane
• C. Tornado
• D. Typhoon

Answer: (C)

This describes a tornado: a narrow, violently rotating funnel-shaped column of air that extends downward from a thunderstorm and may reach the ground. Tornadoes form in powerful storms where strong wind shear creates a rotating updraft; as the rotation tightens and the funnel condenses, it becomes the visible funnel cloud and, when it contacts the ground, a tornado capable of damaging paths along its way. The other terms refer to large tropical storms. They involve extensive wind systems built over warm ocean waters and feature broad rotation around an eye, rather than a narrow, ground-touching funnel produced by a thunderstorm. A cyclone is a general term for such low-pressure systems, while hurricanes and typhoons are regional names for the same type of storm.

This describes a tornado: a narrow, violently rotating funnel-shaped column of air that extends downward from a thunderstorm and may reach the ground. Tornadoes form in powerful storms where strong wind shear creates a rotating updraft; as the rotation tightens and the funnel condenses, it becomes the visible funnel cloud and, when it contacts the ground, a tornado capable of damaging paths along its way.

The other terms refer to large tropical storms. They involve extensive wind systems built over warm ocean waters and feature broad rotation around an eye, rather than a narrow, ground-touching funnel produced by a thunderstorm. A cyclone is a general term for such low-pressure systems, while hurricanes and typhoons are regional names for the same type of storm.