Differences And Similarities Between Tornadoes And Hurricanes

It is important to never confuse a tornado with a hurricane or other tropical cyclone because tornadoes and hurricanes are very different. Perhaps the only similarity between tornadoes and hurricanes is that they both contain strong rotating winds that can cause damage. Hurricanes form over warm water in the ocean and are fueled by the tropics' warm, moist air. Tornadoes form above land through cool polar air masses meeting warm air masses. Hurricanes appear as very large, rain-pouring wind storms that revolve around a central “eye.” Tornadoes appear as rapidly rotating columns of wind that have made contact with the ground. A high wind speed for a hurricane is 160 miles per hour, while a high wind speed for a tornado is 300 miles per hour.