10 Tornado Shapes and Sizes You Should Know

The approaching peak of tornado season means an increase in reports of potentially deadly weather events. While all tornadoes pose a significant risk, meteorologists have classified them into 10 distinct categories based on their shape and size.

Rope Tornado

The smallest type of tornado is known as a rope tornado, named for its long and slender shape. Although these tornadoes are usually short-lived, they can evolve into larger and more dangerous twisters. Due to their narrow shape, the zone of damage caused by rope tornadoes is typically less severe.

Wedge Tornado

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the wedge tornado, which can expand to over a mile in diameter. It comes as no surprise that tornadoes of this size carry significant risks.