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Foreign Tornadoes
Mon Nov 22, 2004
Listen in RealAudio 
Few will argue that the United States is the tornado capital of the world. But lost is the
fact that tornadoes occur on every continent except Antarctica. Hi, I’m Bryan Yeaton, and
this is The Weather Notebook.
Tornado author Tom Grazulis estimates that, annually, three-quarters of the world’s
twisters occur in the United States. That leaves perhaps 500-700 tornadoes to
rampage from Argentina to England, Australia to Russia, Bangladesh to Germany.
Less is known about non-American tornadoes because no systematic census of
tornadic storms was undertaken until recently. At present, Canada, then Russia, follow
the U.S. in total number of annual reports, which may reflect the large land area
covered by these nations.
Europe counts perhaps 300 tornadoes per year, though the number of reports grows
as awareness increases. Great Britain reports about 33 storms each year, Germany
and France, about 10 to 20 tornadoes apiece. Most are weak, but a few have reached
F4 or F5 intensity.
Fewer tornadoes does mean weaker, nor less deadly. In East India and Bangladesh,
regions where tornadoes are as fierce and possibly as frequent as in North America,
the high population density presents a greater potential for killer storms. The world’s
deadliest tornado struck Bangladesh in April 1989. As many as 1,300 were reported
killed, and 12,000 injured.
Tornadoes have been feared since humans first recognized their form and power.
Some "whirlwind" entries in the Bible, especially Ezekiel 1:4, may actually describe
tornadoes. But the first clear reference comes from London, where a church roof was
lifted and some 600 homes damaged. That was in October, 1091.
Thanks to our contributing writer, meteorologist Keith Heidorn. Our show is a
production of the Mount Washington Observatory, funded by Subaru of America.
Thanks today to Ann Posegate, our Education Assistant.
Today's Links
The Tornado Project: Worldwide Tornadoes
http://www.tornadoproject.com/alltorns/world.htm#top
Biblical whirlwinds
http://bible.christiansunite.com/Naves_Topical_Bible/ntb5135.shtml
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