What is the estimated energy and power of a large tornado?

[pervect]

I was curious as to what the estimated total energy (joules) and power (watts) of a large tornado would be. General numbers or estimates would be fine, though estimates targeted specifically at the Joplin tornado would also be good (that's what inspired the question.)

 

[russ_watters]

Surprisingly little:

Q: How much power does the strongest tornado have? And, I know Twister is not true but can a tornado be a mile wide?

Answered by: Joe Schaefer, director, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, Norman, Okla.

A: The total energy in a tornado is relatively low. A typical tornado contains 10,000 kilowatt-hours, while a hurricane contains 10,000,000,000 kilowatt-hours. (For comparison, a Hydrogen Bomb also contains 10,000,000,000 kilo-watt hours.) However, because a tornado is so much smaller than a hurricane, the energy density (energy per unit volume) of a tornado is about 6 times greater for a tornado than for a hurricane. In terms of energy density, a tornado is the strongest of nature's storms.

In a study of 34 years of tornado tracks (over 22,800) storms, it was found that the median tornado had a path length of 0.3 miles, and a width of 0.1 mile. But tracks 31 miles or longer were reported with 17 tornadoes, and 60 tornadoes had tracks that were at lease one mile wide!

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wtwistqa.htm

If the typical tornado is on the ground for 15 min (guess), that's 40 MW of power.

 

[pervect]

Thanks - just what I was looking for!

 

[willem2]

Surprisingly little: http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wtwistqa.htm

If the typical tornado is on the ground for 15 min (guess), that's 40 MW of power.

A tornado can of course take in more energy while it's on the ground, so that number could be much higher.

 

[PJC01]

I can provide some general information on the energy and power of tornadoes. The total energy of a tornado is difficult to estimate because it varies greatly depending on the size and strength of the tornado. However, it is estimated that the average tornado has an energy equivalent to about 1 trillion (10^12) joules. This is roughly equivalent to the energy released by a small nuclear bomb.

In terms of power, the average tornado has a power output of about 10^12 watts, which is equivalent to the power produced by a large power plant. However, the power of a tornado can vary greatly, with some of the strongest tornadoes having power outputs of up to 10^15 watts.

As for the specific tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri in 2011, it is estimated to have had a total energy of about 10^14 joules and a power output of about 10^14 watts. This was a devastating tornado that caused significant damage and loss of life, highlighting the destructive power of these natural phenomena.

It is important to note that these estimates are based on limited data and are not exact. The energy and power of a tornado can vary depending on many factors, including its size, duration, and path. As scientists continue to study tornadoes, we may be able to refine these estimates and gain a better understanding of these powerful and destructive storms.