In July, residents of several regions of Ukraine witnessed an impressive but dangerous natural phenomenon - tornadoes. Previously, they were considered a rarity, but meteorologists warn: in the summer, this is no longer an exception, but a normal part of the weather process, it's just that nowadays we are more likely to record such phenomena thanks to smartphones and social networks.
The first videos of tornadoes in July came from Kirovograd region. Near the city of Znamenka, eyewitnesses filmed a large tornado that moved along the Kyiv-Odesa highway for about half an hour. According to official information, no destruction was found.
Another video emerged from the Odessa region - an air vortex was observed forming in the village of Velikodolynske. Although the tornado did not reach full strength there, its rotation is clearly visible in the amateur recording that was distributed on local Telegram channels.
Forecaster Natalia Ptukha explains: even small tornadoes can cause damage if they pass over houses or cars. However, you should not expect catastrophic destruction, like in the USA - the climatic conditions in Ukraine are much calmer.
However, the appearance of tornadoes in the south and center of the country in the summer is a completely natural phenomenon. It's just that they were rarely reported before, because there was no mass recording using video. With climate change, such weather anomalies may become more frequent.
How to behave during a tornado?
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine advises:
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immediately seek shelter in buildings with strong walls or in the basement;
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avoid windows, mirrors and glass doors;
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when outside, lie down in a hollow, covering your head with your hands;
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Do not try to film the elements on your phone if it puts you at risk.
A tornado is a vertical vortex that occurs as a result of the interaction of warm and cold air masses in a thunderstorm cloud. It can absorb everything in its path: from sand and dust to parts of roofs and cars. The wind speed at the epicenter is up to 200 km/h. The largest number of tornadoes is recorded in the USA, especially in the so-called "Tornado Alley" - the states of Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska.
In Ukraine, tornadoes occur more often in the summer - due to strong convection, humidity and high air temperature. This year, July demonstrates that these phenomena are no longer isolated incidents, but part of reality, for which we should be prepared.
