Types of Tornadoes Explained: Waterspout, Wedge & 8 Other Kinds

Tornadoes come in various forms, each with unique characteristics and impacts. Understanding the types of tornadoes helps improve safety and awareness during severe weather. This article explains the 10 types of tornadoes, their features, and how they differ to provide clear, essential information for better preparedness.

How many different types of tornadoes are there?

Different Types of Tornadoes

Tornadoes are among the most intense weather events on the planet, and no two are alike, much like snowflakes.

So, how many types of tornadoes are there? Find out the details below!

Wedge tornado

Due to their sheer size, wedge tornadoes are the biggest and most damaging. These giant twisters may be almost a mile wide.

Wedges are frequently associated with severe tornadoes, rated EF-4 or EF-5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale; yet, several reported wedges have been graded lower.

Wedge tornado

Wedge tornadoes have been responsible for some of the most catastrophic in American history, such as those in El Reno, Oklahoma, in 2013 and Joplin, Missouri, in 2011.

Cone tornado

Among all types of tornadoes, it is the most detectable one. These tornadoes are broad at the base and significantly wide where they intersect with the thunderstorm, giving them a conical shape.

Their greater footprint allows them to leave a wider path of harm. 

Importantly, its width frequently corresponds with its intensity: bigger cone tornadoes are typically stronger, with wind speeds exceeding 100 mph.

Cone tornado

Rope tornado

Rope tornadoes are often the smallest type of tornadoes, with a sinuous, ropy form in their last minutes. Nonetheless, they can stay narrow throughout their whole lives.

Most rope tornadoes are short; they may sometimes evolve into stronger ones.  Some may even develop into wedge or cone tornadoes.

Nevertheless, because of their short course, they cause more localized damage than bigger tornadoes.

Rope tornado

Stovepipe tornado

The stovepipe is the relative of the cone tornado. These two have similar sizes but differ in form.

Although the diameter of a cone tornado decreases as it moves downhill, the stovepipe one remains roughly the same width from where it hits the ground until it meets the lowest point of the parent thunderstorm.

Stovepipe tornado

Tornadoes may be very destructive, with powerful winds tearing apart buildings, uprooting trees, and overturning automobiles. 

Because their structure is quite solid, they often endure longer than rope tornadoes and travel vast miles before disappearing.

Multi-vortex tornado

Tornadoes can consist of more than one rotating column of air. Some huge twisters might have several zones of spin embedded in the main funnel.

Although it may be hard to notice the many vortexes spinning around the tornado while it is in motion, you can see them after the storm.

Multi-vortex tornado

Satellite tornado

Satellite tornadoes are tiny tornadoes that start near a bigger tornado. They generate distinct, independent funnels that revolve around the central tornado instead of multi-vortex tornadoes, which embed the vortexes within the main funnel.

Although being smaller, these tornadoes may cause more devastation, essentially widening the primary tornado's path. 

This type of tornadoes may be especially hazardous because it adds to the unpredictable nature of an already violent weather event.

Satellite tornado

Elephant trunk

The elephant trunk tornado derives its name because of its slightly curved and elongated form, which resembles an elephant trunk. 

It can occur as intermediate phases between other types of tornadoes, like when a cone tornado shifts and elongates in response to changing wind conditions.

These tornadoes range in size and severity. Several are mild and short-lived, whereas others can develop into powerful storms capable of causing significant damage.  

They are most typically noticeable in open places where wind movement helps them form their distinctive curves.

Elephant trunk

Twin tornadoes

Twin or sister tornadoes are one of the rarest kinds among the 10 types of tornadoes. 

Unlike satellite or multi-vortex tornadoes, these tornadoes occur independently from 2 different circulation zones within an identical storm system.

A well-known twin tornado case happened in 2014 near Pilger, Nebraska, when two tornadoes developed side by side and proceeded on parallel routes. 

Twin tornadoes are unusual; even expert storm chasers might never see one in person.

Twin tornadoes

Waterspout

A waterspout refers to a rotating column of wind over a body of water. Regardless of its name, it does not contain water. The visual column of wind that forms a waterspout is caused by condensation. 

Waterspouts may occasionally move onshore, causing harm. They typically disperse fast once they reach land.

Generally, waterspouts are not powerful and resemble rope tornadoes. Nevertheless, they can develop in the absence of a supercell thunderstorm.

Waterspout

Landspout

Landspouts can look like tornadoes at first glance. 

Yet, they form via a distinct mechanism. Unlike classic tornadoes, which form from rotating thunderstorms, this type of tornadoes begins as whirlwinds at ground level and extends upward to meet a cloud.

Landspouts are often shorter-lived and weaker than actual tornadoes. However, stronger ones can still cause damage equivalent to an EF0 or EF1 tornado. 

Landspouts frequently occur in arid areas where strong thunderstorms are uncommon, yet wind conditions enable their formation.

Landspout

Why Are There Different Types of Tornadoes?

Tornadoes can vary in size, shape, and intensity because of various factors. 

These variables affect whether the tornado is short-lived and weak or forms into a destructive force.

• Wind patterns & speed: Strong wind shear, in which wind direction and speed vary with altitude, generates the spin required for tornado formation.

• Atmospheric instability: Tornadoes arise when warm, wet air near the surface interacts with dry, cold air in the higher sky.

Factors that affect the formation of different tornado types

• Topography & environment: Tornadoes may form forceful wedge forms in flat, wide places like the Great Plains owing to unhindered wind flow. Contrarily, tornadoes originating near mountains, woods, or towns may have irregular forms when encountering obstacles.

• Storm development & evolution: A tornado can begin as a thin rope tornado and then spread into a stovepipe or cone. Several tornadoes remain weak and small, while others undergo several alterations, increasing their devastating force.

Tornado Safety Tips

Understanding “what types of tornadoes are there” is essential, but knowing how to stay safe during one is even more critical. Basic safety measures can save lives no matter the tornado's size or strength. 

Here are a few essential tornado safety tips:

Tornado safety tips

• Identify a safe shelter in your home, like a basement or interior room.

• Avoid windows and large open spaces like gyms or auditoriums.

• Prepare an emergency kit with water, food, and a flashlight.

• Stay informed through weather apps, radios, or community alerts…

For more detailed guidance, check out our full article: “Tornado safety tips” to know what you should do before, during, and after it strikes.

Conclusion

To conclude, from weak rope tornadoes to powerful wedge ones, each type varies in shape, size, and strength. By recognizing the differences and potential impacts of these types of tornadoes, we can improve safety measures and increase awareness.