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How fast does a tornado travel?
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A large tornado touches down in an open field, with dark storm clouds swirling above and golden grass in the foreground.
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A large tornado touches down in an open field, with dark storm clouds swirling above and golden grass in the foreground.
A tornado in a field

How fast does a tornado travel?

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Tornadoes can travel at speeds of up to 120 km (75 miles) per hour in extreme examples, with an average forward speed of about 48 km (30 miles) per hour. Tornadoes are notoriously unpredictable when it comes to their travel speed. They can seem to linger in one place or move as fast as a car going the speed limit on a highway.

The forward speed of a tornado is influenced by the larger weather system it is a part of, such as the thunderstorm that generates it, which can vary significantly. High-speed tornadoes are particularly dangerous because they can catch people off guard, moving quickly into populated areas and causing destruction before warnings can be effectively communicated.

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