A&M meteorologist watches the sky THE BATTALION P3Q6 3 FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1978 Rain, hail may trigger tornadoes | Weather scientists know tornadoes exist, whey come out of the sky and at times are fceadly. That's about where unanimity of opin ion ends. I A Texas A&M University meteorologist has Ithrown a startling new premise into this ring |>fcontroversy. Dr. Phanindra M. Das blames lain and hail forces for generating tornadoes. | "There are scientists who want to ignore Ithe possibility that rain and hail play a defi nite role in tornado formations,” Das said. [ But falling rain and hail do trigger a tornado. "Rain or hail falls, dragging upper air with it. In the process, it evacuates the air aloft. Air then rushes in to fill this space,” he ex plained. The inrushing motion tightens the whirling motion of a rotating cloud. Pressure inside this whirl is still low, and it helps draw upward the unstable atmosphere below. “Energy is released into this upward- moving air,” Das said. “It intensifies the whirling motion, forming the tornado.” If Das can prove his theory, weather forecasters will be able to improve tornado aaragcxasaes predictions. Today, the prediction of tornadoes is,based on statistics, mainly because knowledge of ac tual tornado formation conditions are not clearly defined. “The advantage of our research is that it is completely atmosphere oriented,” Das said, “while most others are restricted by limita tions imposed by laboratory conditions.” The tornado season began March 21, and meteorologists, especially Das, are watching this season with additional interest. tip™ RECORDS - AND TAPES 1000 S. COULTER — BRYAN — 823-5745 TAPES « STEREOS • MUSIC BOOKS • NEEDLES &TDK Blank Tape Quantity Prices Member Student Purchase Program COMPLETE SERVICE DEPARTMENT Store Hours: 9:00-6:30 Mon.-Sat. TAMU TEXAS AVE. os • cc O SEARS £ h- > 3 z ^ 3 8 ★ TIP TOP BROWN BAG SEMINAR Artists from Peaceable Kingdom Foundation WED. APRIL 12, 10-3 RUDDER FOUNTAIN Isponsored by the crafts & arts committee LAST CHANCE THIS SEMESTER! TO SEE WE’VE NEVER BEEN LICKED” GAMBLE YOUR LIFE AWAY!$ RHA CASINO NIGHT $ FRIDAY, APRIL 14th £ * * Ticket Sales This Week At £ MSC 11:00 - 3 { SBSA 4:30 - 6:30 { Commons 4:30 - 6:30 * your Optical Shoppe “We focus on you” }jour Optical Shoppe 'Presses 'an ‘Exclusive: CJhe Neti Aiarie Claire Cunettes Designer Cine from Paris Qualified Opticians to handle your e^ery optical need. We also carry: Ray 'Ban and Qeojfrey Beene Nert Sunglasses Arriving Daily. 25% off Wide assortment of jewlery and scarfs. Discounted at MANOR EAST MALL 779-1509 * Open 9 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. n l UKE LITE MORE THAN I UKE REFS. MUCH MORE? Tom Heinsohn Famous Basketball Coach u Showing Parents Weekend FrL, April 14, 8 p.m. Rudder Aud.; All tickets $1.00; Be sure to bring your parents. MSC Travel Committee (All proceeds go to the MSC Overseas Loan Fund) herein **1 ■inn, ^ ess Jamie Jl "