Tornado Skid Marks

This image does not show any dramatic damage to human constructs or even to natural features like trees. God knows there were enough images of both types from the severe weather outbreak in the Midwest over this past weekend of which this image (from Illinois) is but one scene from its aftermath. However, I nonetheless find it remarkable for its visual simplicity and for how much of a scar mere wind created on land that is fairly barren at this time of year. A forest or stand of corn would make for a dramatic damage path but one would not expect the same of fields laying dormant for winter. Note the swirl lines in the scar area. Those are the scars of sub-vortices within this obviously multiple-vortex tornado.
Photo courtesy of Fred Zwicky - Journal Star (all rights reserved).