Do you know the answer to these questions?

As Severe Weather Awareness Week continues in Kansas, we wanted to see how much you know about tornadoes. See how many of these you can get correct.

Answers:
Question 1 - True. Almost all tornadoes will rotate counter-clockwise, but it is possible for them to go both directions. Usually, tornadoes that rotate clockwise (in the Northern Hemisphere) don't last very long.

Question 2 - False. Tornadoes are more common in the afternoon and evening because temperatures are at their warmest during those hours of the day. Tornadoes do happen at night, but not as often because as temperatures cool down, the threat diminishes some. However, tornadoes at night are extremely dangerous, especially if you are sleeping when one approaches.

Question 3 - Believe it or not, the first EF-5 was Greensburg in 2007. The updated "Enhanced" Fujita Scale was unveiled in 2006, and when Greensburg happened a year later, it was the first EF-5 rating. Winds were well over 200 mph. 

Question 4 - False. Just because the sky turns green does not necessarily mean a tornado is about to happen. Green sky indicates heavy precipitation and usually some large hail. The water contained in the storm scatters that particular light from the sun, giving it that greenish (very ominous) color.

Question 5 - True. Large tornadoes (EF4-EF5) like Andover, Greensburg, and Hesston make up less than 2% of all tornadoes experienced in Kansas. Therefore, they are considered rare, but when they do happen, many of them stay on the ground for close to an hour.

Question 6 - 60. In 2017, there were 60 tornadoes. On a bad day in Kansas when conditions are just right, we can see half of the yearly average in a 24 hour period.

Question 7 - False. Never try to outrun a tornado. Highways and interstates could be jammed, not to mention the possibility of traffic accidents or power lines that are down. It's best to shelter where you are and not take that added risk of getting into a car.

Question 8 - False. Sirens go off when a warning is issued, or threatening weather is nearby, but sirens are not sounded to give an all-clear.

Question 9 - False. Tornadoes don't develop an "eye" like hurricanes. It mainly has to do with size of storm. Hurricanes do form an eye because they are much larger in size. Don't let the movie Twister or the Wizard of Oz fool you.

Question 10 - False. In most cases that will be the case, but there are times when storms develop so fast that a warning may be issued before the watch (remember watches come from the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK)

How did you do?