Weather Whys; Blowout

This is weather-wise. For many years, conventional wisdom said opening the windows of a building would help keep its walls from exploding in a tornado. It was thought the intense low pressure in the center of a tornado created a difference in pressure between the inside and outside of a building. The higher pressure inside supposedly made the walls explode. But now, scientists and engineers have another explanation for the phenomenon. They say the powerful winds around a tornado vortex can lift the roof off a building, leaving the structure somewhat weakened. The tornado winds then blow against the walls, and the roof may even drop back on top of the demolished building, giving the impression the walls exploded. So today, safety rules say if you see a tornado coming or receive a tornado warning from radio or television, seek shelter immediately. Go to a downstairs room or hallway with no windows, preferably with no exterior walls. Bathrooms are said to be particularly good, since all the pipes in the walls may help

keep that room standing, even if the surrounding structure is seriously damaged. Taking the time to open the windows probably won't help, and it may well hurt. Many tornado-related injuries and deaths are due to flying debris, and some of that could come crashing through a window just as you're trying to open it. So during severe weather, think of your personal safety and that of your family first. Naturally, you don't want anything to happen to your house, but what good is your home if you're not around to enjoy it. Weather-wise is a production of the Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms at the University of Oklahoma, established in 1989 by the National Science Foundation for research on local and regional prediction of storms. Otherwise was created by William Beasley, with original music by Barry Stramp. Our writer is Christine Harbour, our editor is Brian Walkie, producer Steve Patrick, and our executive producer is Karen Holbe. For Weather-wise, I'm Drew Barlow.