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How well do you know tornadoes?

How well do you know tornadoes? This quiz should test your knowledge on all things related to tornadoes, such as specific events, tornado types, and how tornadoes form, starting from more well known facts and slowly becoming more obscure.
Only includes events recorded in the U.S.
Quiz by
rhager842
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Last updated: April 16, 2026
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First submittedNovember 6, 2024
Times taken604
Average score47.2%
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Scale used to measure tornado intensity
Enhanced Fujita Scale/EF Scale
Retired scale replaced in 2007
Fujita Scale/F Scale
Type of storm that tornadoes form from
Supercell
Very thin tornado that causes little damage
Rope
Small tornado that is wider at the top
Cone
Wider tornado that has a consistent size
Stovepipe
Tornado that is wider than it is tall that typically causes the most damage
Wedge
Costliest tornado ever recorded
May 22, 2011, Joplin, Missouri
Widest tornado ever recorded
May 31, 2013, El Reno, Oklahoma
Strongest tornado ever recorded
May 3, 1999, Bridge Creek-Moore, Oklahoma
Deadliest tornado ever recorded
March 18, 1925, Tri-State Tornado
Tallest tornado ever recorded
1982, Brookfield, Wisconsin
This Texas F4 tornado was a part of an outbreak in 1979. It is best known for its eerie photos and widespread effect across those in and around the city it hit.
April 10, 1979, Wichita Falls, Texas
This Texas F5 is best known for it being the origin of the popular "Dead Man Walking" tornado photo. It stalled over one area for up to 2 minutes, causing significant damage and killing ~24 people.
May 27, 1997, Jarrell, Texas
This was the first ever EF5 tornado
May 4, 2007, Greensburg, Kansas
This tornado took place during the 1974 super outbreak and was the most devastating that took place that day.
April 3, 1974, Xenia, Ohio
How many EF5 tornadoes touched down during the April 2011 super outbreak?
4
In an SPC tornado probability outlook, a hatched area indicates a 10% chance of ___ or higher tornadoes within 25 miles of a point.
EF2
This is the highest risk seen in an SPC convective outlook.
High
How many levels of intensity does the EF scale have?
6
What rating was given to the El Reno tornado after it was downgraded from EF5?
EF3
This is a very weak tornado that does not form from a supercell thunderstorm
Landspout
This is a very weak tornado that has formed over water
Waterspout
This is a term used by storm chasers when they must drive through the core of the storm, where most of the hail and rain occurs, in order to intercept a tornado.
Corepunching
This type of radar measures precipitation and is the most common type used
Reflectivity
This type of radar measures wind direction and speed proportionate to the radar's location
Velocity
This type of radar shows the difference between precipitation and debris
Correlation Coefficient
This atmospheric value is used by weather forecasters and it measures how much available energy is in the atmosphere for storms to grow from.
CAPE
This is what prevents strong thunderstorms from forming in the morning and early afternoon.
Capping Inversion
This measures how much available precipitation is in the air. The bigger this value is, the more rain and/or hail will be present in thunderstorms.
PWAT
This is the rotating part of a supercell that tornadoes form from.
Mesocyclone
This is the visible part of the tornado.
Condensation Funnel
This is the area a tornado's wind speeds affect.
Windfield
This is a cloud of dirt and dust that represents a connection between the cloud and ground and is indicative of a tornado on the ground.
Debris Cloud
This is a type of tornado with multiple vorticies rotating around it, indicative of a very powerful tornado.
Multivortex
True or false: Tornadic winds are strong enough to turn small objects like shovels or wood planks into powerful missiles.
True
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9 Comments
JunbriSkulldog
+1
Level 26
Dec 4, 2024
I ain't smart and got none of these... But it's an awesome quiz! Great job :D
rhager842
+1
Level 29
Dec 4, 2024
Thank you!
HamilHabibHabob
+1
Level 44
Oct 14, 2025
I would like to correct, during the April 2011 super outbreak there were only 4 EF5 tornadoes that touched down, and not 5.
Liamdoesquizzes
+1
Level 53
Nov 7, 2025
Could you accept Moore for the May 3 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore F5?
rhager842
+1
Level 29
Nov 21, 2025
Added
iowaquizguy
+1
Level 16
Mar 15, 2026
only 4 Ef5 tornadoes happened on the april 27th outbreak, and the costliest tornado is 1893 St Louis F4
rhager842
+1
Level 29
Apr 16, 2026
Fixed partly. Since the year is so far apart it's difficult to determine exact costs due to inflation, though I think Joplin was comparatively costlier. Correct me if I'm wrong.
oslxxpy
+1
Level 34
Apr 24, 2026
Yeah, Joplin is most definitely costliest
Brotime008
+1
Level 71
Apr 28, 2026
Great quiz! I need more weather-related quizzes like this one. Could you add "precipitable water" as a type-in for PWAT?
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