variants
or tornados
as in hurricanes
a violent and destructive storm in which powerful winds move around a central point
A siren alerted the town that they were in the path of a tornado. a tornado warning
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Recent Examples of tornadoes
In North Texas, thunderstorms and tornadoes are most common from March to June.
—
Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
That can include damage from hurricanes, tropical storms and tornadoes, floods, vandalism, seismic activity, wildfires and accidental house fires.
—Dan Simms, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
According to the watch, scattered severe thunderstorms will be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Feb. 2026
That means a few strong tornadoes could emerge — with possible twisters of EF2 or greater strength on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with the greatest tornado risk expected in southeast Illinois, southern Indiana and near the Ohio River.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
The National Weather Service has a preparedness guide for all types of severe weather including tornadoes.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026
There is also a 5-9% chance of tornadoes, according to NWS Louisville.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Feb. 2026
Severe weather threat Severe thunderstorms with potential to produce a few tornadoes and damaging wind gusts are possible across parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio Thursday afternoon and evening.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
The storms could to persist in the region through the weekend, threatening additional rainfall, hail and possible tornadoes across Louisiana and Alabama.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
That can include damage from hurricanes, tropical storms and tornadoes, floods, vandalism, seismic activity, wildfires and accidental house fires.
—Dan Simms, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
According to the watch, scattered severe thunderstorms will be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Feb. 2026
That means a few strong tornadoes could emerge — with possible twisters of EF2 or greater strength on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with the greatest tornado risk expected in southeast Illinois, southern Indiana and near the Ohio River.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
The National Weather Service has a preparedness guide for all types of severe weather including tornadoes.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026
There is also a 5-9% chance of tornadoes, according to NWS Louisville.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Feb. 2026
Severe weather threat Severe thunderstorms with potential to produce a few tornadoes and damaging wind gusts are possible across parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio Thursday afternoon and evening.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
The storms could to persist in the region through the weekend, threatening additional rainfall, hail and possible tornadoes across Louisiana and Alabama.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tornadoes
hurricanes
Noun
-
She's also covered the cartel wars along the TX-MX border, Congress in Mexico City, 3 presidential races, and 6 hurricanes.—
Karen Brooks Harper
Austin Bureau,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The administration has used the Federal Power Act to keep plants that were set for retirement in operation, a tactic often used to keep plants online during temporary emergencies like hurricanes or heat waves.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tornadoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tornadoes. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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