The Central United States faced a powerful swarm of storms late Friday. Five states witnessed about 19 nocturnal tornadoes, putting 55 million residents at risk by causing widespread damage. According to reports, two have died in the Arkansas tornado, and at least 70 are feared dead in Kentucky. 

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What are Nocturnal Tornadoes? 

As the name suggests, nocturnal tornadoes are tornadoes that occur at night. Just like normal tornadoes they are violent rotating columns of air extending from a cloud to the ground. 

The Nocturnal Tornadoes are formed when humid and warm air collides with cold, dry air. The warm air pushes the denser, warm air, producing an updraft.  This updraft begins to rotate when met with strong winds. The funnel of swirling air becomes stronger as it continues to suck more warm air from the ground.  

A study from Northern Illinois University found that even though only twenty-seven percent of tornadoes occur at night, most tornado related deaths occur between midnight and 6 am. 

In a research conducted by Storm Prediction Center as well as National Institute for Risk and Resilience it was reported that the tornadoes that occur at night are twice as likely to kill someone as during the day.

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The reason behind the devastating nature of the nocturnal tornadoes is that the tornadoes are generally not visible at night. Moreover, people are usually busy with their families during this time of the day and keep aside their gadgets, skipping updates from the meteorological departments. 

In another study conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration it was reported that researchers face difficulty in forecasting such storms, and hence there is delay in communicating necessary warning to the demographic regions. 

“Nocturnal tornadoes are difficult to forecast, difficult to see (and therefore confirm,) and difficult to respond to because much of the population is asleep when they occur,” the researchers said.