ETYM From Spanish or Portu. tornar to turn, return, Latin tornare to turn, hence, a whirling wind. The Spanish and Portu. tornada is a return. Related to Turn.
A localized and violently destructive windstorm occurring over land characterized by a funnel-shaped cloud extending toward the ground; SYN. twister.
Extremely violent revolving storm with swirling, funnel-shaped clouds, caused by a rising column of warm air propelled by strong wind. A tornado can rise to a great height, but with a diameter of only a few hundred yards or less. Tornadoes move with wind speeds of 160–480 kph/100–300 mph, destroying everything in their path. They are common in the central US and Australia.

Unincorporated community in West Virginia (USA).