In 2011, the worst tornado season in decades left a trail of destruction across the U.S., killing more than 550 people. Why was there such an extreme outbreak? How do such outbreaks form? With modern warning systems, why did so many die? Is our weather getting more extreme - and if so how bad will it get? In this NOVA special, we meet scientists striving to understand the forces at work behind last year's outbreak. Could their work improve tornado prediction in the future? We also meet people whose lives have been upended by these
extreme weather events and and learn how we all can protect ourselves and our communities for the future
1. What is a tornado?
2. Have you yourself or do you know anyone that has been personally effected by a tornado? What did you learn from the video that affected you most?
3. Research some news articles (at least 2) on tornadoes that have occurred in the United States with in the last 5 years and talk a little bit about the type of destruction the storm caused.