Tornadoes are some of the most extreme weather events on Earth, and just like snowflakes, no two tornadoes are the same.
No matter their shape or size, every type of twister can be dangerous, with the most powerful capable of wiping out an entire town in mere minutes. Here are 10 different types of tornadoes that have been documented across North America.
The smallest type of tornado can be short-lived, lasting just a few minutes, but that is not always the case. Rope tornadoes, named after their long, thin appearance, can be just the start of the evolution of a twister.
Even a thin rope tornado can cause damage, although the path of destruction tends to be narrow compared to other kinds of whirlwinds.
Some of the most iconic photos of tornadoes are those depicting cone tornadoes. These twisters are larger than rope tornadoes and can be far more destructive. As their name suggests, they are shaped like an ice cream cone and become narrower as they extend downward toward the ground.