Tornados are violent and dangerously rotating columns of air that are in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a cumulonimbus cloud. They are often encased in a cloud of debris and dust, which makes them easily visible despite their naturally transparent nature. The formation of a tornado is a complex process, requiring specific atmospheric conditions. Warm, humid air at low levels and cooler, drier air above, combined with a specific type of wind shear, can create a supercell thunderstorm - the birthplace of most tornadoes. Notably, the central United States, known as Tornado Alley, is particularly prone to tornadoes due to its flat landscape and location where cold, dry air from Canada meets warm, tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico. Tornados can cause massive destruction to human life and property. They are capable of uprooting trees, overturning vehicles, and demolishing houses. Therefore, when a tornado warning is issued, it's crucial to seek shelter in a basement, storm cellar, or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. Interestingly, the most severe tornado on record was the Tri-State Tornado of 1925, which carved a path of destruction across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, claiming 695 lives and injuring thousands. Tornadoes, while destructive, are a fascinating part of our planet's weather system and continue to be an active area of research in meteorology.