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 Investigate: Explore Climate Conditions

Weather Detective

Case 2: Midwest
In the Midwest, lightning is flashing and thunder is cracking. It's been raining for hours. Overhead is a giant gray cloud. Winds are making this giant storm spin like a top. Out of the bottom of this cloud drops a gray, funnel-shaped cloud. Dust swirls around it — it looks like it's pulling in the dust. The bottom of this funnel cloud is moving down towards the ground.

Investigate the Case
Use the links to find answers to the questions below. The more facts you gather, the closer you'll be to solving the case.

Fact 1: What type of storm could cause a tornado?

Find the answer at: http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/science_fair_projects_encyclopedia/Supercell

Fact 2: How fast do tornado winds blow?

Find the answer at: http://www.usatoday.com/weather/resources/basics/2004-02-20-tornado-basics_x.htm

Fact 3: What makes tornadoes so destructive?

Find the answer at: http://whyfiles.org/013tornado/4.html

Share Your Findings
Enter your answers. Then use those facts to summarize the reasons for the mysterious weather conditions.

Required information is in bold type with an asterisk (*).
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* Detective (First Name Only):
* Fact 1:
* Fact 2:
* Fact 3:
* Findings of My Investigation:
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