Texas Weather’s Latest Nightmare: ‘Steamnadoes’

We just can’t have normal storms here in Texas. It’s like the weather can’t be anything other than terrifying.

As a lifelong Texan, you would think I would be used to it by now. But you would be wrong. Every time I think Texas weather can’t get any crazier, something happens to prove me wrong.

What Are ‘Steamnadoes’?

The latest example is a couple of “steamnadoes” that were spotted over Texas lakes during the recent winter storm. According to Fox 4, steamnadoes are vortexes that form when arctic air moves over relatively warm water.

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They look scary as hell but are harmless. That’s great to hear, but still – good luck not freaking out when you see one. Most Texans have been through multiple tornado warnings and have seen firsthand the destruction that those things leave in their wake. It can be quite traumatizing.

Hopefully, these will be the last scary weather videos I share for a while. However, I wouldn’t count on it.

WARNING: These Are the Counties With the Most Tornadoes in Texas

Stacker compiled a list of counties which experience the most tornadoes in Texas using data from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

10 Costliest Tornadoes in US History

When it comes to natural disasters in the United States, tornadoes are pretty spectacular. They're absolutely terrifying, deadlier than hurricanes and wildfires, and completely unpredictable. They're also some of the most awe-inspiring things to see in person. While they don't cost nearly as much as hurricanes and wildfires, they do get expensive in greatly localized areas. Here are the most expensive in US history.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

How Tornadoes are Measured: Understanding the F Scale

Since February 1, 2007, America has used the Enhanced Fujita Scale to determine the strength of a tornado with a scale from EF0 to EF5. With some help from the Old Farmer's Almanac, here's a look at what each of the classifications means and the damage they cause.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow