A tornado is a violent windstorm that takes the form of a rotating column of air that extends down from a wall cloud during a thunderstorm (Lutgens and Tarbuck). The pressure within the funnel is much less then the air around causing air from the ground to rush into the tornado from all directions. This funnel grows and becomes bound deeply into the cumulonimbus cloud creating a massive tower of wind. Their dark, ominous look comes from dust and debris they collect. Tornadoes can occur anywhere in the United States at any time of the year. They are more common in the southern states where more thunderstorms do form. The peak season for tornadoes in the south is from March to May. They are more likely to form in the northern states during the summer months.
             The stages of tornado formation are divided into five stages and the time span of each stage varies extensively. The first sign of a tornado is dust swirling upwards. If this lasts and funnel-like cloud forms above this area, a tornado has begun. Most tornadoes are developed from a "Wall cloud" or a cloud with a very low base. These Wall clouds usually develop fifteen minutes before the tornado begins. During the second stage the cooler, more humid, air at the clouds base makes the funnel condense. Humid air that is drawn into the tornado makes it extend further downward. The vortex of the funnel increases its wind speed; this makes less pressure inside of the funnel and causes more condensation of vapor turn into cloud droplets. This means that the size of the tornado will increase as more cloud droplets form and begin to spin with the tornado. Once this organization occurs the tornado begins to intensify. If a thunderstorm is not just right, the third and fourth stages will not occur. This stage lasts only about ten minutes.
             The third stage is when the tornado "Matures." This is when the tornado is greatest in size and is almost vertical. During this stage, a mes...