Thunderstorms which develop in an especially warm moist environment and within an unstable air mass can become very strong or even severe. When these storms move along a surface boundary, such as a cold front or dry line, they can develop rotation and produce tornadoes. Another factor favorable for tornado formation is the presence of vertical wind shear where wind speeds increase with height. When strong wind shear interacts with a thunderstorm updraft, the warm moist air feeding the thunderstorm can develop rotation which may ultimately lead to the generation of tornadoes.

The winds in a tornado can reach speeds as great as 300 MILES PER HOUR !!! Thus tornadoes can demolish even strong buildings, carry away and destroy motor vehicles, and throw heavy objects over large distances. Tornadoes can therefore cause deaths, injuries and major destruction.

Although most tornado outbreaks occur over the central and southeastern United States, isolated tornadoes occasionally develop over southern New Mexico and far western Texas. Tornadoes are possible any time of the year, but in the southwest they are most likely from May to September during the afternoon and early evening. There is some evidence that our region experiences more tornadoes than previously believed. However, due to the low population 

Remember, tornadoes are possible across the borderland and people should become familiar with tornado safety procedures.

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