Taking Weather to Extremes

Title: Taking Weather to Extremes
Description: Learn about the weather patterns that cause tornadoes to form and then, make your very own tornado in a bottle.
Season: Any season.
Length of Activity: 1 hour
Age: 4-12

Taking Weather to Extremes
Weather is something we experience each day. Depending on the season, we experience hot days and cold days, wet days and dry days, but some weather patterns deserve a little more attention.

We call these extreme weather patterns.

Can you think of anything that might classify as extreme weather patterns? Some examples are heavy winds, thunderstorms, hurricanes and floods. But perhaps the most extreme is the tornado.

Tornadoes are columns of violently spinning air that can reach up to 300 miles per hour. Those winds are not only unstoppable, they are strong enough to destroy homes and even make cars fly!

But how are they formed? Well, when moist warm air collides with cool dry air they create an atmospheric instability. As the winds change direction and increase in their speed, it creates an invisible spinning effect.

That might sound a little confusing, but after today’s project, you will be an expert on tornadoes!

Supplies and Tools needed:
● Water
● A clear plastic bottle with a cap (that won’t leak)
● Glitter
● Dish washing liquid

Getting started

Step 1: Fill the plastic bottle with water until it reaches around three quarters full.
Step 2: Add a few drops of dish washing liquid.
Step 3: Sprinkle in a few pinches of glitter (this will make your tornado easier to see).
Step 4: Put the cap on tightly.
Step 5: Turn the bottle upside down and hold it by the neck. Quickly spin the bottle in a circular motion for a few seconds, stop and look inside to see if you can see a mini tornado forming in the water. You might need to try it a few times before you get it working properly.

Taking it Deeper
While tornadoes form in many areas of the United States, the middle part of the country, often referred to as Tornado Alley, creates a perfect playground for tornado formation.
Why do you think that might be? Which states do you think are most affected by this extreme weather pattern? Do you suspect there are different seasons that might contribute more or less to tornado formation? What signs of a coming tornado do you think we should watch out for?

Further Reading
Do you want to learn more about tornados? This site has a wealth of information on how they form, what they are capable of and how engineers are trying to protect us from their harm.

Further Watching
Tornadoes can be beautiful, but they can also be scary. Here is a video by National Geographic that tells us why they deserve to be both feared and respected.