Does Topography Affect Tornadoes?

Topography can have significant influence on tornado intensity and direction by altering the near-surface inflow. ... However, damage surveys and numerical modeling studies have shown that tornadoes can weaken, strengthen or even change direction depending on the position of the tornado relative to certain terrain.

What physical features influence tornadoes?

An ongoing study at the university's Severe Weather Institute and Radar and Lightning Laboratory has identified three external factors — gravity waves, topography and surface roughness — that appear to influence the formation and strength of tornadoes, study author and researcher Dr. Kevin Knupp said.

What areas are most affected by tornadoes?

Most tornadoes are found in the Great Plains of the central United States – an ideal environment for the formation of severe thunderstorms. In this area, known as Tornado Alley, storms are caused when dry cold air moving south from Canada meets warm moist air traveling north from the Gulf of Mexico.