Defeating Tornados with Simplified Bernoulli

Copyright by James Carlson

Pecos Bill Lassoes a Tornado (Cyclone)

800 tornadoes occur nationwide every year, causing ~100 deaths and ~$700 million in property damage. Hurricanes, a thousand times more powerful than tornados, resulted in more than 150 people losing their lives in 2024 with property damage exceeding $100 billion. To date, there are no plans whereby these types of storms may be defeated to prevent the toll to human life and property damage. But with a combination of the principles of meteorology and fluid dynamics (dynamic meteorology), we can do more than chase these storms and study them, we can begin to find a way to defeat them before they cause more harm.

Focusing on tornados to begin with, models of tornadoes need to provide a clear picture of how tornados are formed, which is needed to learn how they may be defeated. I propose to use the concepts of fluid dynamics from Daniel Bernoulli using his simple equation:

Static (or perpendicular) pressure plus dynamic (or parallel) pressure equals a constant of total pressure.

Using Bernoulli’s simplified model of pressure (simplified Bernoulli) and fluid flow, we can improve upon the models of tornados provided by meteorology and possibly discover a means to defeat them.

The first thing to know about simplified Bernoulli is that static pressure is pressure perpendicular to a surface whereas dynamic pressure is parallel to a surface. Simplified Bernoulli tells us that if we add the perpendicular and parallel pressures together, we get a constant of total pressure. If total pressure is always a constant, then if we increase one, we decrease the other proportionally (and vice versa).

The fact that an aircraft can fly is due to faster air (dynamic pressure) flowing above the wing compared to the air flow below the wing. As the dynamic pressure above the wing is greater than below the wing, the static pressure above the wing is less than the static pressure below the wing. Hence, the static pressure below the wing produces lift and the aircraft can fly. We can apply this principle of simplified Bernoulli to wind patterns in storm systems that indicate the beginning of a tornado’s formation.

First, meteorology reports the fact that barometric pressure drops in the vicinity of tornados. Barometric pressure is atmospheric pressure at one location. The combination of static and dynamic pressure and their changes cause an overall change to barometric pressure. With a drop in barometric pressure, we have an indication of some change in the atmosphere that may be related to tornados. So we can begin building a model of tornados based upon simplified Bernoulli. With the indication of reduced barometric pressure, we can assume an associated increase in dynamic pressure is present at some distance from the barometer.

With a decrease in static pressure comes an increase in dynamic pressure due to wind. This increased wind in a storm system is a force acting on the mass of water (rain) in the storm, accelerating it horizontally (F=ma or Newton’s Law of Force). Add to this the force of gravity vertically (downward) and we have 2@ independent forces acting upon the mass of water at the same time. Using a cross-product of forces may speculate that the result of these 2@ forces is the centripetal force that keeps the water droplets circulating around an unstable center. Again, as F=ma, Fc=mac. Centripetal acceleration acting upon the mass of water is needed to keep it circulating around an unstable center.

As the mass of water inside the tornado spirals down its dynamic pressure is increasing, causing the static pressure outside this higher flow to be lower. Hence, simplified Bernoulli would suggest that there is a static pressure ‘jar’ within which a tornado is formed and contained. Immediately connect to the outside of a tornado, one might assume that there is a boundary layer where the static pressure outside the tornado is helping to keep the faster flow inside the tornado ‘bottled up.’

And as the dynamic pressure near the ground is likely higher than near the top of a tornado, the centripetal force at the bottom of the tornado would be stronger than at the top and the pressure differentials would be larger at the base than the top. Given the principles of simplified Bernoulli, the diameter of a tornado at the bottom is smaller than at the top, which gives a tornado its funnel like shape. This is all, of course, a matter of speculation useful in presenting a model of tornados based largely on the principles of simplified Bernoulli.

So, we have 3 examples of simplified Bernoulli to associate with tornados so far.

1. The increase of dynamic pressure in the atmosphere is associated with a lower static and barometric pressure

   1. This results in an increased wind speed acting on the mass of water horizontally

   2. Coupled with the force of gravity, this results in the formation of a centripetal force acting on the mass of rain in the early formation of a tornado

2. The increase of dynamic pressure along the length of the tornado creates a boundary layer outside the tornado

   1. This results in a pressure differential between the tornado wall and the outside air

   2. This pressure differential results in the formation of a pressure ‘jar’ that contains and completes the formation of a tornado

3. The dynamic pressure at the base of a tornado is larger than at the top

   1. This results in smaller diameter of the base of a tornado giving it a funnel like shape

But there is more that can be done with simplified Bernoulli than just model a tornado. Philosophically, once we have a correct problem identity (Problem ID) we can pursue a correct solution identity (Solution ID). Here is quick rundown of our options:

• Defeat the centripetal force holding the mass of water in orbit around a central axis of a tornado

  • Concentrate the mass of water inside a tornado to overwhelm the centripetal forces acting upon it

  • This may be done with the introduction of aerodynamic sponges

• Defeat a tornado by using the pressure differential that is holding a tornado together in a ‘jar’

  • Redirect or move a tornado by capturing it and moving it with a jet turbine

  • This may be done with ground vehicles or aircraft

• Defeat a tornado by taking advantage of the pressure differential along its boundary layer

  • Create a dynamic pressure event that will upset the balance of pressures

  • This may be done with ground based turbines, aircraft, or low/no frag munitions

First, we can overwhelm the centripetal force holding a tornado together by concentrating the mass of water inside the tornado as it circulates. As F=ma, we can increase m to overwhelm F. This can be done with the introduction of sponges. As the mass of water will be absorbed by sponges and concentrated at various points, it will overwhelm the centripetal forces (F) at those points, causing the sponge to be ejected from the tornado in a line tangential to its orbit. The problem now is how can we introduce sponges into the tornado? We will find that the answer is in the shapes these sponges are made into.

Newton's Principle of Force (F=ma) Applied to a Centripetal Force

To discover the right shape to make our sponges, let’s take a look at a phenomena related to another aspect of simplified Bernoulli. If wind or water is flowing alongside an object on one side, like 2 boats passing close to each other in the water, then the dynamic flow between them increases; and this results in the static pressure between them to be smaller.

Two Boats Effected by Principles of Simplified Bernoulli Pressure Differentials

The static pressure on the other side of each boat hasn’t changed so the static pressure on the outside of the 2 boats pushes them together. In the same way we can utilize various shapes of sponges to draw sponges into a tornado following this principle of simplified Bernoulli.

Sponges come in various shapes and sizes as you know. But if we are going to use simplified Bernoulli to defeat a tornado, that are also the result of simplified Bernoulli, we will need to use a particular shape for our sponges that will draw them into a tornado to defeat the tornado’s forces. 

Cube, Sphere, Cylinder Sponge Shapes

Given the aerodynamic shape of either a sphere or a cylinder as the shape for a sponge, we can introduce highly compacted sponges with these shapes into a tornado as the wind on one side of the sponge is moving faster than the other side; hence the static pressure on the outside is larger than inside or windward side. This effect of the wind on spheres and cylinders is such that the sponges will be drawn into the wind and into the tornado where the water inside the tornado will be absorbed and the sponge expelled as noted above. This is assuming the forces of simplified Newton don’t exceed the force derived by the wind and simplified Bernoulli.

But what if we start with a sponge that is not aerodynamic in its shape, like a cube? The wind, according to simplified Newton, will throw these sponges away from a tornado instead of drawing it in. But if we take a sponge in the shape of a cube and compress it in a highly compact form resulting in the shape of a sphere or a cylinder, then the same wind that will draw the sponge into the tornado will eject the sponge, after the sponge absorbs the tornado’s water and returns to its original shape of a cube; the same wind of a tornado will be doing double duty as it draws the sponges in and then ejects them, expelling the mass of water in the tornado, hence, defeating the tornado. These sponges can be introduced using ground based vehicles or aircraft.

Second, we can use the fact that a tornado sits inside a jar of pressure that is the result of simplified Bernoulli. As the dynamic pressure inside a tornado is increased with the flow of water and air inside it, this creates a lower static pressure zone around the outside (possibly on the inside) of a tornado. This then is met with the atmospheric pressure beyond the tornado that is connected to the boundary layer of a tornado. With this pressure differential of a tornado along the boundary layer of a tornado, we can defeat (move and destroy) the tornado by manipulating and interrupting the static pressure outside the boundary layer of the tornado.

So before we introduce sponges into a tornado, we would want to capture it and move a tornado to a safer place to prevent it from damaging people and property as much as is possible.

Truck Driving Away from a Tornado Causing it to Follow

Did you ever hear that you should not try to outrun a tornado while driving your car? The reason for that is another application of simplified Bernoulli where driving increases the dynamic pressure along the road near a tornado, reducing the static pressure, causing the surrounding atmosphere to push the tornado through the reduced static pressure corridor you just created with your vehicle at high speeds. While it is a bad idea to try and outrun tornadoes (seek shelter first), this opens doors of opportunity!!!

Instead of driving a car in front of a tornado at a distance of  a few hundred yards or less, one can stand off at a distance and use jet turbine mounted to a vehicle. With this one can increase the dynamic pressure near a tornado causing the surrounding atmosphere to push the tornado towards the turbine (with you in the car:). This in effect is lassoing a tornado just prior to defeating it (come on Pecos Bill).

This also can be accomplished by flying aircraft at high speeds near a tornado in order to create a reduced static pressure zone that the tornado then moves into. And if a tornado is moving away from a city, town, or rural area, it would be at this point that sponges may be introduced; but there may be a better way.

Thirdly, aside from the method of using sponges to defeat a tornado, one may attempt to spill out the mass of a tornado by breaking the ‘pressure jar’ that holds it together. This can be done at the top or bottom or anywhere along the side of a tornado. Assuming less forces at the top where aircraft can fly at high speeds, the result of the wake behind the aircraft would be to reduce the static pressure next to the tornado’s boundary layer. This then would cause the ‘jar’ to break at this point and the contents to spill out, hence, defeating the tornado.

Danger exists where the pressure differentials needed for lift on an aircraft’s wing (also the result of simplified Bernoulli) may be changed by the local pressure changes next to a tornado. Unmanned, aircraft may be used for this purpose instead of manned aircraft. But once the pressure holding a tornado together is disturbed or removed, the mass of wind and water inside it may spill out, defeating the tornado on the whole, with or without sponges.

And then of course, the military just loves to bomb things. So why not just bomb a tornado and be done with it? Why waste time and energy to get clever about it all? The truth is that bombing tornado should have the same effect as a jet turbine on the ground or an aircraft flying near the tornado to create a lower static pressure zone near the tornado boundary layer. However, using the wake of an aircraft at high speeds doesn’t leave dangerous fragments around for people to either pick up or step on after a bomb explodes. I’m sure an environmentally friendly bomb can be made for just such a purpose. Then we can bomb the heck out of them. Repeatedly if necessary!!!

Now, what about hurricanes? Can we do the same things with hurricanes as with tornados? The answer is yes; hurricanes begin like tornados and in their beginning phases are called a cyclones. As they last much longer than tornados, they grow larger than tornados; a hurricane is 1,000 times larger and more powerful than tornados. If we approach the problem of hurricanes when they are smaller in their formation, at the size of a tornado, then these principles of simplified Bernoulli would apply to hurricanes as well.

No one in their right mind would think that sponges would defeat a hurricane when they are fully developed. But…if one were to seed a hurricane at one edge with sponges, that might disturb the balance of forces inside the hurricane causing it to move in a desired direction. With this, one might be able to steer a hurricane to the North or South Pole (a matter of speculation). The hope is to defeat a hurricane long before they develop larger and become monstrous.

And then there is the cost associated with this proposal. Is there a business case that can be made? The answer to this question is up to Congress. If civilians do this work, it remains to be seen if they can escape the wind storms of law suits that will follow. Inevitably, someone will sue because their pet cow or lawn mower was damaged. But if Congress grants an exemption from law suits when tornados are being defeated, then Congress may also grant an award for completing each mission successfully. The better plan is to take it out of the hands of civilians and put it into the hands of the military (bomb the suckers!!!). With government activity comes sovereign immunity.

[I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this particular blog on defeating tornados with simplified Bernoulli. I doubt this will get much attention or traction but some day we will get past the business of weather forecasting and begin to approach storm systems as challenges we face with the means of defeating them. The cartoon above is of Pecos Bill lassoing of a tornado. Someday we can take that picture out of the realm of fiction and put it into our present day reality.]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!