tornado, Violent low-pressure storm, relatively small in diameter but with very rapidly rotating winds and an intense updraft near the centre. The relatively low pressure at the centre of a tornado’s funnel-like vortex causes cooling and condensation, making the storm visible as a revolving column of cloud, which is called the funnel. Tornadoes normally travel at 30–40 mph (50–65 km/hr). The winds around the vortex may exceed 300 mph (500 km/hr) in extreme events. Tornadoes often occur in groups.