A severe thunderstorm not only produced large amounts of rain overnight in 2006, but also produced a small tornado southwest of Graz. The Center for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) measured storm gusts of up to 130 kilometers per hour around Seersberg and Thalerhof Airport.

A tornado is a narrow, rotating column of air that extends from the ground to the base of a thunderstorm cloud. It is associated with very strong winds and can cause significant destruction.

Cyclones form when warm, moist air masses meet cold, dry air masses combined with strong thunderstorms. These collisions create vertical wind movements that can develop into a rotating vortex.

Hurricanes can occur anywhere in the world, but they are more common in some areas than others. In the United States in particular, there is an area known as “tornado alley” that is particularly prone to tornadoes.

Tornadoes in Austria are rare, but do occur occasionally. They are generally weak and do limited damage. They often occur in spring and summer during or after thunderstorms, especially in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country.

There are different types of hurricanes, which differ mainly in their size and duration. There is a distinction between landfalls, watersheds, and supercell hurricanes, with the latter representing the greatest threat and often causing the most severe damage.

To protect yourself from tornadoes, it’s important to take warnings seriously and take safety precautions. This includes finding a safe area such as a basement or interior room with no windows. Listening to weather warnings and having an emergency kit are also important precautions.