Tornadoes can sometimes appear silent or nearly silent due to a combination of factors. Here are some conditions that can contribute to a tornado being observed without being heard:
Distance: If you are located far away from the tornado, the sound may be less audible or completely inaudible. Tornadoes can produce a loud roaring sound, but it becomes fainter with distance. So if you are far enough from the tornado, you may not hear it even though it is occurring.
Wind direction and speed: The direction of the wind can influence the audibility of a tornado. If the tornado is moving away from you or if the wind is blowing in the opposite direction, the sound may be carried away from your location, reducing or eliminating the noise you hear. Additionally, if the wind speed is high, it can overpower the sound of the tornado, making it difficult to hear.
Environmental conditions: The surrounding environment can affect the transmission of sound. For instance, if there are barriers such as hills, trees, or buildings between you and the tornado, they can block or dampen the sound waves, making the tornado quieter or inaudible.
Tornado intensity: Tornadoes vary in intensity, with some being weaker and producing less sound compared to others. Weaker tornadoes may not generate as much noise as stronger ones, especially if they are at a significant distance from your location.
Regarding the comparison with thunderstorms, it's important to note that tornadoes and thunderstorms are distinct weather phenomena. Thunderstorms generate thunder due to the rapid expansion and contraction of air caused by lightning. Thunder is the sound produced by the shockwave created by the sudden heating and cooling of the air. Tornadoes, on the other hand, do not produce lightning, and their sound is primarily a result of the strong winds and the interaction of those winds with the surrounding structures and debris.
While tornadoes can create a roaring sound, it is not constant like thunder. The noise from a tornado is typically intermittent and can be affected by the factors mentioned earlier. Additionally, the sound of a tornado may be masked by other environmental sounds or by the sounds produced by the storm itself, such as rain, hail, or strong winds associated with the thunderstorm.