Vortices act as the atmosphere's pressure relief valves. Without them, pressure differentials would be significantly more intense since gases alone cannot sustain structured streams. For a stream of wind to form, a sheath that isolates the flow from the natural friction and dispersive qualities of gases is required. Vortices, often invisible but crucial, form this sheath through a plasma of H₂O nanodroplets that spin up along wind shear boundaries in the atmosphere. When you see a tornado, you're not merely witnessing a mix of gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor; rather, you’re observing a phenomenon in which the surface tension of H₂O nanodroplets maximizes due to wind shear, creating a structured plasma. This plasma forms the sheath of the vortex, enabling winds within to accelerate up to 300 mph with minimal friction.