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Are tornadoes formed within cyclones?

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A cyclonically rotating tornado is a form of cyclone, but not all tornadoes rotate cyclonically - about 1 percent rotate anticyclonically. However, both cyclonic and anticyclonic tornadoes are associated with low pressure. The reason that tornadoes can rotate either way is that the Coriolis force is nearly negligible on the scale of a tornado. read more

I've heard many times that tornadoes are formed when warm air meets cold air, and the warm layer rolls over the cold layer, forming a tube. Really, it's a horizontal tornado. Here's a 30 second video. read more

Many tornadoes which appear to have path lengths of 100 miles (160 km) or longer are composed of a family of tornadoes which have formed in quick succession; however, there is no substantial evidence that this occurred in the case of the Tri-State Tornado. read more

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